"Ah. I see. Well, in that case—"
"Good morning." Katie's voice made him turn. He grinned, whirling around to see her standing behind him, and in front of everyone, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"How's the brat this morning?"
She scowled. "I'm not a brat. And you do realize we could have brought this stuff over, don't you?"
"I do. But this gave me a chance to see you. Your grandmother and grandfather are already at the house, bugging Miss Hazel about what they can do. You need to be there to distract them."
Merrie laughed. "Sounds like them. Katie, you'd better go. We'll be over soon."
"We'll feed her breakfast when she gets there," Nick offered.
Katie turned and moved toward the staircase. Her gait was slow as she moved upward, and Nick grinned. Was she adding that sassy little sway just for him? He was tempted to connect his hand with her bottom when she returned.
Miss Constance, rolling her eyes, took his arm and pulled him into the table, putting things into his hands to take out to the carriage. Adam helped, and so did six of the staff. Two trips later, it was full.
When Katie came back down, he watched her appreciatively. She was wearing a deep sea green gown that set off the blue of her eyes. The dark auburn of her hair was beautiful and tied back with ribbon which matched her gown. He fought the urge to kiss her until she couldn't breathe.
As if she knew what he was thinking, a deep flush moved up from her neck until her face was a delicate shade of scarlet.
"About time, brat. But the carriage is full."
Her face fell, and he continued. "Unless you'd like to ride topside with Adam and me?"
Her mouth widened into a smile. "I would love it."
"Let's go then." He turned her toward him and pulled her cloak close about her, bringing up the hood around her face, ignoring the expression she gave him, urging her out toward the coach. Sticking his head in, he checked to see that everyone inside was settled and closed the door.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Katie glanced up at him.
"Me? Of course. Don't grouse."
She sighed, and he took her waist and set her up high enough so she could grab hold. When she moved over far enough, he climbed up behind her and moved her between Adam and himself.
"Oh, I like this. You can see everything from up here."
"I knew you would. Would you like to know who else is there?"
"Yes. Please."
"Gracie and William Becker. Abel and Cicely. The Andrews and Mary Polly, and of course, Geoff. Oh, and Louisa Graham. We invited the girls from the dormitory, since most of them are away from their families today."
"That was sweet, Nick."
"Don't look at me, I didn't do it. Mother did. And of course, the school children and their families will be there, but they aren't likely to show up until eleven-thirty."
"You're determined not to seem noble, aren't you?"
He looked down, frowning. "What?"
"Never mind," she said, leaning over against his shoulder. "You are one sweet man, Nicholas, whether you admit it or not."
"Not."
She tilted her head to the side. "Right," she murmured, grinning at him.
The Wellington estate was decorated beautifully. Wreaths could be seen in the windows, even from the road. Katie was eager to see the inside of the house. As soon as they arrived, Nick turned toward Kimbrow. "I'll get her, Adam. If you'd help the staff get the food in, I'd appreciate it. He climbed down, leaving her topside, and escorted the staff inside.
Katie waited patiently for about thirty-seconds. When he wasn't back immediately, she rose and turned, attempting to climb down. She was ready to jump, when she felt hands on her waist, and gasped.
"And what do you think you're doing?" Nick's deep voice growled from behind her as he held her, high off the ground.
"Coming inside. You left me."
"I said I'd be back. Patience, Kaitlynne."
A moment later, she was set on her feet and turned to face him. Instead of taking her toward the front door, he brought her around the side of the coach, away from the house.
"Come here," he growled, pulling her into his arms. Leaning down, he put one hand behind her neck and tilted her chin up toward him. His dark eyes were an inch away, and he was breathing heavily. A second later, his lips were on hers, taking, possessing. Another kiss to her nose, then her forehead.
Katie couldn't help herself; she pulled his mouth back down to hers and invited him in.
"You taste good," he muttered, his eyes hungry. "I've been thinking about doing that all week long."
"And I've been thinking about you doing it all week long," she whispered.
Their lips had just touched once again, when Geoff's voice was heard from the front door. "Come out from behind the carriage, you two. Katie's grandparents say to bring her inside," he shouted.
"Brothers," Nick grumbled. "You should be glad you didn't have any."
She giggled and raised up on tiptoe for one more kiss before letting him go. "That will have to hold you for a while."
"I see I'll have to marry you, and soon." He grinned, giving her one last hug before leading her out from behind the carriage and up the front steps. They wandered into the drawing room and looked around. It was empty.
"Geoffrey Francis? Where are they?"
Geoff's face popped around the doorway. "Who?"
"My grandparents. You said—" She stopped, and her eyes narrowed at him. "You are as much a beast as your brother, you know that?"
He grinned. "Perhaps. I was just tired of being left to do the work myself." He took off running when Nick began pursuit. "Look, Nick, I was just—" He disappeared, and Nick came back to take her hand.
"We'll go find them, Katie. Come with me. I'll bet I know where they are."
The Thatchers were in the informal ball room. Grandmother Marilyn was busy putting out napkins at the tables that seemed to go on forever. When she saw Katie, she set them down and hurried across the room.
"Kaitlynne! It's so good to see you, sweetie!"
"It's good to see you, too, Grandmother. I've missed you!" But before her grandmother got to her, Katie found herself enveloped in Grandfather Otho's arms and held tightly.
"How's my girl? Mean as ever?"
"Of course," Nick answered from behind her, and she turned to make a face at him.
A few moments later, when her mother and father arrived, the three of them hugged.
"Ah, my three girls." Otho grinned, his eyes full of softness and glistening. "My Marilyn, my Merrie Lynne, and my Kaitlynne, all together. I don't get to see this very often anymore."
The day was wonderful. Katie enjoyed seeing Lizzie and helping pass out the slates and the presents that went to the school children. The girls' were wrapped in bright ribbon, the boys' in a different color. Polly and Geoffrey spent most of the day holding hands; Cicely and Abel seemed to act like an old married couple now, but Katie noticed that Abel stole a kiss from his bride once in a while. Her tummy seemed to be growing, and Katie wondered if she would have twins. Gracie and William were there, teasing each other mercilessly, just as Nick did Katie. Once, she even caught her father with his arms around her mother, kissing the top of her head. The chatter that carried on throughout the day was happy, and by the time the festivities were over, the staff was extremely busy cleaning things up and preparing for the next evening's ball. Katie attempted to help, but they all knew exactly what to do, and Miss Hazel was firm in her instructions that Katie was to sit and rest.
She thought back over the day as she fell asleep in her bed that night, thinking about the warmth and graciousness of the Wellington family. And about Nick.
Awaiting his arrival
She found herself getting ready, the following evening, with trepidation. Nick might say that it was all over with Phebe, but was it really? Could she be sure of that? She'd heard of women keeping the rings of men after the engagement had been b
roken off, but there always seemed to be a doubt lingering in the backs of everyone's minds. It was easy to understand why the two ladies in the General Store shared the opinion they had. Maybe they were right.
Her heart plummeted as she considered it. Perhaps she should step away a little more and give him some more time. Her face was still uncertain when she heard him arrive.
He watched her come down the stairs, frowning at her expression. "You're troubled, brat."
"I'm not." She said, going for her velvet pelisse.
"You are. You've never been able to lie to me, and you know it." He put the garment around her shoulders and took her to the coach, asking Kimbrow to wait for a moment. When he sat down inside, he lifted Katie into his lap. "Spill it."
She looked away.
"Katie, you want to discuss this lying across my knee?"
"No."
"Then you have five seconds."
Her eyes blazed.
"Four."
"Nick, you're not being—"
"Three."
When the word 'two' passed his lips and he reached for her waist, she stopped him.
"All right! I'll tell you."
"I'll stop counting when you start talking. One—" He lifted her off his lap.
"No! It's just, Lizzie and I had tea with Cicely and Polly the day before yesterday."
"I'm aware of that. Go on."
"She said Phebe came back and picked up the ring after she threw it at you."
"So? I don't follow. I didn't particularly want it back."
"But I wondered, if she would change her mind and come back to try to…"
"God help us. But I can assure you, she won't.
"How can you be sure?"
His mouth flattened. "Katie, she could pretend. She could go to meet with Father Michael and receive counseling on being Catholic. She could get another minister. She could even send out invitations. She can't, however, make me show up at the church. If her father came and tried to hold a shotgun on me, he'd just have to use it."
She gasped.
"Now, are you still concerned?"
"You couldn't let him shoot you!"
"I couldn't live with that woman, either. It would be the lesser of two evils. Understand?"
The expression she gave him was incredulous, and he laughed heartily. "Relax, brat. There's no way on the Lord's green earth I would take her back." He pulled her closer to his chest, smacked her bottom, and spoke once more in her ear, "And if I heard she was going to try, I'd snap you up and marry you so both of us could be taken before she got here. Even if I had to get a protestant minister to do it." He leaned down and planted a kiss on her mouth. "Now. We'll hear no more about this. Understood?"
"I just wondered."
"Well, don't. Now, do I need to ask you for every dance separately? Or can I ask for all of them now?"
She looked up with an impish grin. "Well, however you wish to do it. But I have to tell you, I received a note from Archie on Monday, asking me to the ball. He's here visiting his aunt."
"And how did you respond?"
"I told him I was unable to accept."
"Good girl. I suppose that means I'd better ask for every dance now, then."
She grinned. "You can. But it might not keep him from trying to cut in."
"I don't have to allow it, either. And don't tell me it's against etiquette. I already know that. But it's at my house. I can and will do what I like."
Katie couldn't help it. The shiver that traveled down her spine went straight to her core. Why did she react this way every time she was in his presence? She raised her arms and put them around his neck, snuggling into his chest. "Nick Wellington?"
He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Yes, Katie Adams?"
"Did I ever tell you how fond of you I am?"
He chuckled softly. "Perhaps once or twice. I hoped you were serious."
The Arrival
He brought her in formally, on his arm, looking very much the gentleman as they arrived. His mother and father were greeting people as they came in. Angelica grinned at her and gave her a hug.
"It's so good to see you, Katie," she whispered.
"Thank you, Lady Wellington. It's exciting to be home, too."
Angelica laughed. "You know what I mean, I hope. Make yourself at home. And don't let my son bully you too much."
"If he does, I'll send him to you."
Lady Wellington rolled her eyes, and Nick raised a brow and escorted Katie into the ballroom.
"Your eyes are wide, Katie." He leaned down into her ear.
"People are staring at us."
"Good. I'm quite proud of you tonight. Your eyes are my favorite color of blue, and tonight, your gown matches them perfectly. Come. Let's get you something to drink, before the music starts."
She nodded and let him lead her over to the table with the refreshments. Nick handed her a flute of fruit punch. But before she took it, a servant stopped by and offered her what was on the tray.
"Oh, champagne!" She reached for it.
"Katie, I'd rather you had punch."
She scowled. "Nick, I'm twenty-two. I should be able to have a glass of champagne if I wish."
He leaned down. "I'm well aware of how old you are. I also remember what happened when you were eighteen and took your first drink of champagne."
Full of defiance, she stubbornly continued to reach for one of the flutes. But she was trembling, when one of the staff handed it to her. Nick pressed his fingers around hers to steady them, as she drank. "All right," he growled. "Enjoy it, because this is all you'll get."
But as she was ready for a second flute, he shook his head. "Kaitlynne? I said no."
"You're mean."
"No. I'm practical. Discounting how miserable you are when you throw up, I'd rather not have you doing it during the ball. Here. Try the punch, instead."
She glared at him and drained the last sip. "No, thank you."
"That's enough, then. Ready to dance? Syd is starting up the music."
She smiled. "I love Syd. He's wonderful."
"Yes, he is. He puts his soul into it. Come."
He led her out into the room, and they separated. He stood on one side, she, on the other, facing each other in the long line of dancers.
Katie didn't know whether it was the champagne or the fun of the dance, but she relaxed.
"This is why everyone looks forward to the balls here," she said as they passed each other.
"The champagne?"
"No. Yes, well, that too. But what I love is the contra dance. No one else around here does this kind of dancing, or plays this kind of music."
"Syd came over from England as a young man with my grandfather. He loves it."
They were on their third dance before the music settled down into a waltz, and Katie saw a tap on Nick's shoulder.
"May I?" It was the deep voice of Archibald Edwards.
"Good evening, Archie," Katie gave him a small wave and smiled.
Nick looked down at her and grinned. "You may borrow her for the rest of this one. I've decided to be generous tonight. After that, I believe I have her the rest of the night."
Nick stood to the side and watched Katie as Archie continued the dance with her. He had pulled her a little too close, and Nick found himself frowning. Katie was chattering away, and her beautiful eyes were bright. Her musical laugh carried, even though it wasn't loud, and he saw her stumble slightly. It was almost imperceptible but uncharacteristic for her. He approached them again.
"Excuse me, but I believe it's time to take her back."
Archie bowed and backed away.
She was laughing before Nick pulled her into his arms. "Nicholas, why did you do that? I was enjoying myself."
"Katie? You're a little unsteady," he whispered. "Was it the champagne?"
"I don't know." She let out a soft giggle. "I'm not sure I remembered to eat today."
"Oh, no. Come with me." He led her off to the refresh
ment table and pressed a cucumber sandwich into her hand. "Eat this." Waving down one of the staff, he whispered. A moment later, the young man returned with a small glass of milk in his hand.
Katie's expression was incredulous. "Milk? Nicholas, do you think I'm five-years-old?"
"Drink it." The insistence in his voice caused her to scowl, but she put it to her lips and drank. When she finished, he caught her chin and drew his thumb across her upper lip to remove her milk moustache. "I'm taking you outside for some fresh air," he grumbled.
"I don't need fresh air. I need to dance."
"Later."
He began to go to the door with her, and his mother followed, catching up with them.
"Nick? Is Katie all right?"
Katie, however, was giggling, and Nick rolled his eyes. "Nothing that having a full belly wouldn't have helped. She said she hasn't eaten today, and I allowed her a flute of champagne."
"Ah." His mother's expression was knowing. She had been at Katie's eighteenth birthday party, as well. She leaned forward. "Everyone is watching. I'll take her into the kitchen. You go out the front door and come in the back, and you can take her up the staff stairs to our old room to lie down. That way, you can avoid everyone's interested eyes." She stepped forward, taking Katie's arm. "Here, sweet girl. Come with me. Concentrate on your steps, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am." Katie's voice was rueful.
Nick watched as his mother kept up the chatter to Katie and they moved away toward the kitchen as he slowly sauntered out the front door.
When he reached the back, his mother was whispering to Hannah, her maid, "Have them prepare her a small meal to take upstairs, would you please? Nick will take her to my old rooms on the second floor."
"Yes, my lady."
Nick reached for Katie, but her lids were becoming droopy, and he whisked her into his arms.
His mother's voice followed him. "I'll send Lizzie up. You need to be downstairs some, Nick, and visible."
He nodded as he ascended the stairs. When he carried Katie into the room and laid her down among the pillows, he chuckled down at her. "Kaitlynne Adams. I should be angry with you."
Katie's Maverick (Strasburg: The New Generation Book 2) Page 8