by Gina Black
As he struggled to rise, Nicholas cursed the loyalty of friends.
* * *
Katherine watched as a familiar old coach came to a rickety stop before the Pemberton residence. As her father’s stout figure emerged gracelessly from the vehicle, a feeling of tired resignation ran through her. Yet she could not help the slight swell in her heart when she saw his familiar form.
She should have known he would turn up sooner or later. She had truly hoped it would be later, after she had petitioned for the annulment. Yet his timing had been ever thus.
Had he come to take her home? Surely Finch had sent him.
The butler showed Gerald into the small sitting room. He popped up from his chair when she entered. “What is the meaning of this?” He held up a piece of paper.
“Hello, father,” Katherine said. “It is so nice of you to come.”
“Fiddle-sticks,” he puffed. “Explain this.”
Katherine took the paper from his hand. Her heart tumbled when she recognized Nicholas’s signature at the bottom. Her stomach did a familiar lurch, and she sank into a nearby chair. Another letter? Would this be as damning as the first?
She took a deep breath and began to read. After a formal salutation, it announced the matter of their marriage and went on to reassure her father that Katherine would be provided for in the event of Nicholas’s death. Nothing was said of Ashfield. It was dated four days prior, yet there was nothing to indicate where it had been composed.
Why had he written her father with these reassurances? Could it be he felt some remorse for what he had done?
She handed back the letter. “This is true.”
“Truly married?” Gerald nodded. His voice went up several notes. “To an Earl?”
Katherine nodded.
He smiled broadly. “That is very well done of you.”
Katherine almost smiled in return at his rare praise, but brushed it aside instead. “No, father. I am afraid ’tis not. You see, the marriage is a hoax, and he is an impostor.”
Gerald’s face fell. “I am afraid I do not understand. He is not an Earl…?”
“He is an Earl, but he did not say so, nor did he say that his family once owned Ashfield. He only married me to get it back.”
Gerald shook his head. “You have got it wrong, gel. ’Tis an impostor who says he is an Earl when he is not. What you have is a very fortunate situation.”
“’Tis my misfortune. I will seek an annulment, so I may put this situation, as you call it, behind me.”
“No, daughter. I could not allow that.”
“Father, you have guided me all my life, as is your duty, I know. But in this you will not. I will do what is best for myself.”
Her father’s face went pink. He raised a pudgy finger and shook it at her as he spoke. “What of your family, Katherine? Care you naught for them, and their needs? Do not be a selfish girl.”
Katherine flinched inwardly as she shook her head. “I but do what is right.”
Her father ignored her and continued. “I understand Lord Ashton will face charges as the Raven. If this is true, and he is to suffer for what he has done, be sure that before aught happens to him, you carry his seed.” He looked at her sternly. “Make a son of it.”
* * *
Two days later, James Pemberton returned from his business trip. The tall, heavyset man ushered Katherine into the small, very cluttered room he used as an office. He listened, a forefinger placed across his lips, occasionally running a hand through his wild untamed hair, as she told him what had transpired. As she finished, his perpetual vague look vanished, and his eyes focused on her with hawk-like tenacity.
He tapped his lips with his finger. “I have looked into this case. The charges against Lord Ashton are serious. ‘All ravishments and willful taking away or marrying of any maid, widow or damsel against her will…’” he quoted from memory, “are capital offenses. The charges against him as the Raven are equally serious. He is in a good deal of trouble and could be sentenced to hang.”
“So I have been told.” Katherine’s voice caught. “But ‘twould be a lie to say I married him against my will, for I did not. ’Twas not an abduction. Although I was quite mistaken in his motives and identity, I did go with him of my own free will.”
James nodded. “Should you provide that testimony, the charges of abduction would be dropped, yet you would remain married to the man.”
Katherine made a weak nod. “What of an annulment? Is there some way to secure a release from this marriage without my being forced to a marriage with Richard Finch?”
“Annulment could be granted on the basis of the prior contract, if it really exists. Did you pledge yourself to this man, Finch?”
“We had not said our espousals. Yet I believe the financial agreements were final.” Katherine sighed. “But now my father would probably say he agreed to the marriage with Lord Ashton”—her heart beat painfully as she said the name—“because he is an Earl, not because it is true.”
James tapped his finger against his lip. “No doubt Finch would bring testimony that your father had approved his suit. That could provide you with the annulment you seek, yet it would not prevent a subsequent marriage to Finch.” He clapped his hands together. “All this conflicting testimony could keep matters tied up in the Courts of Chancery for quite some time. That would keep Lord Ashton alive until the matter was decided, and prevent your marriage to Finch indefinitely.”
Katherine chewed her lip. She did not want the agony of a prolonged legal suit. Would that this had never happened. That she had never said ‘yes’ when Nicholas had said they would marry. That she’d never been coaxed into such impetuousness by a pair of twinkling blue eyes and a dashing white streak of hair.
“Is there no other recourse?” she asked.
“No other way to end the marriage, except to petition for an Act of Parliament, which is granted so rarely I would not recommend you even think of it.” He sat back in his chair and his eyes went unfocused.
Katherine waited so long for him to continue, she thought he might have forgotten she was there.
At last, he spoke. “You could get a separation from Lord Ashton with a formal agreement for alimony. It is unlikely you could obtain this through the courts. You would have to get your husband to agree to this. Do you have any bargaining power with him?” He smiled and snapped his fingers. “You could agree to testify against the abduction in return for this separation.”
Katherine shook her head. Negotiate with Nicholas? See him again?
“Think on it, cousin. You do not need to make any hasty decisions. The wheels of justice move slowly.” James smiled. “By the way, I have heard news of your husband. He has been transferred to the Tower.”
Katherine’s heart dropped.
James took her hand and patted it. “That just means that his noble status has been discovered and secured the move. In fact, it will be much better for him in the Tower. It is quite common for prisoners in Newgate to die from disease before ever going to trial.”
His eyes sharpened on her. “Once you have decided what you wish to do, I will be most happy to prepare whatever documents are required, or speak to whoever can most help us. I am sure Alicia has already made it clear you are welcome here for as long as you require. In fact, I can already see we would be hard pressed without you.”
Katherine’s heart eased, just a little.
* * *
Nicholas paced the small cell that had been his home for the sennight since Henry found him. A small, cold, barren place, yet better than he deserved.
Henry had first obtained a better room at Newgate, and two days later Nicholas had been transferred to the Tower. For this, he should be grateful, but he was not. He did not like the peace or the solitude. He did not appreciate the good food Henry brought him, or the warm clothing, although the bath had been nice.
His body still ached from the pounding he had received from Finch. But it did not hurt nearly as bad as his hea
rt. He now knew that living without Katherine’s love was like living without the sun. He missed her sweet presence with a pain that pierced through him far worse than the injury Finch had done. And he had no one but himself to blame.
He filled his hours with pacing. The motion satisfied his busy mind, and it helped his body heal. There was naught else to do in this room but to wait. Nicholas did not like waiting. He liked to take action. Because of this he had got himself into a tight spot he could not get himself out of.
His one hope was Katherine. She was the only one who could clear him of the charge of abduction. She had not done so yet. He would not blame her if she never did.
* * *
Katherine knelt over the chamber pot. Though her insides heaved, she doubted there could be anything left to come out. She eased herself up onto the mattress where her bedmate still slept and put a hand on her tender stomach. What she would give for a sprig of peppermint, or a cup of willow bark tea. Rolling onto her side, she decided to get a few more minutes rest before the household awoke and the demands of a new day were upon her.
When Katherine did not come down for the morning meal, Cousin Alicia came up to her. “’Tis clear we are already spoiled by your presence,” she announced cheerfully as she entered the room. “The children were peevish at breakfast. Hal and Robbie declared the porridge too thin, and Anne would put nothing inside her mouth besides her thumb. Now what is it that ails you?” She swooped down on Katherine, a mild frown across her forehead.
“My stomach does not sit well.” Katherine tried to get up, but the offending organ made a lurch, and she lay back down again. “It has been so for several days now, but this morning is the worst.”
Alicia put a cool hand onto Katherine’s forehead. “Have you missed your monthly courses?”
Katherine took a slow breath. “I have not bled since leaving Ashfield.” She swallowed. “Yet it is not so terribly late.”
Alicia took Katherine’s hand between hers. “The amount of lateness may not necessarily signify. One day can be the same as many. Do you have tenderness of the breast?”
Katherine nodded. Her nipples had been so sensitive of late that she’d had to lace her stays very tight to keep them from rubbing the fabric of her shift. She had thought their tenderness, in fact the heightened sensitivity of all her woman’s places, was due to her body’s awakening.
“Although it is early to tell, it seems the answer is plain,” Alicia pronounced. “’Tis very likely you are with child.”
“But I cannot be!” Katherine cried. “I do not wish it.”
Alicia smiled. “You are not the first, nor will you be the last woman, to feel so.” She patted Katherine’s hand. “You manage very well with my children; surely you would wish to have your own?”
“Were my life settled, I would wish it,” Katherine exclaimed. “But ’tis not. ’Tis a horrible muddle and this will only make it worse, not better. How can I possibly get an annulment now?” She pulled her hand from Alicia’s and jerked the bed sheet over her head. “I have made such a botch of my life,” she said through the rough linen.
Alicia laughed and tugged the fabric off Katherine’s face. “I would not worry on that, cousin. You will be amazed to find how long nine months can be. You will have time yet to make it right, and when you are feeling better you will no doubt see the way to do so,” she sobered. “Yet, perhaps ’tis not too soon to consider what you will you say to your father—and to your husband.”
Katherine blanched. “If he were to know, Father would be uncommon happy. But I would ask you to keep this between us for now.”
Alicia nodded assent. “You must do as you think best,” she said, and gave Katherine a gentle pat on the shoulder as she rose to leave the room.
Katherine sat up.
A baby.
She splayed her fingers across her belly. A new life grew there. One last gift from Nicholas.
Why would he not leave her alone? He haunted her dreams. He haunted her waking hours. And now, there would be a constant reminder of him growing inside her.
Prickles ran across the back of her nose.
What was she to do? Katherine raised a tired hand to her eyes, as if to block out the mistakes she had made. Now an annulment would be impossible.
* * *
The next afternoon, Katherine looked up from her gardening to see Jeremy coming her way. She had cut the herb bushes back, freed them from choking weeds and now applied her labors to pulling out the dead foliage that dotted the yard.
“My Lady,” he called to her.
His bruises had faded, and he wore an air of confidence she had not seen before. In fact, he looked quite handsome.
She brushed off her hands, pleased his interruption gave her a respite from a recalcitrant shrub. Although dead, it was not giving up its hold on the earth easily.
“Please, call me Katherine,” she reminded him. “Or if you must, say mistress as you once did.”
“Aye, mistress,” he smiled back at her. “I have come to tell you I am leaving.”
Katherine’s face fell. “I had thought you happy to be in London? Have you decided to return to Ashfield then?”
“Nay. I am hale now and can no longer occupy the invalid bed in the kitchen. ’Tis time for me to move on. I have taken lodging with Henry.”
“How will you get on?”
“I have been running errands for gentlemen at coffee houses and the clerks of the courts of law.” Jeremy looked at her with serious blue eyes. “Even though I go, I would come to you at any time you would need me.”
“Jeremy, I shall miss you. You are the best friend I have now.” Katherine took his hand in her dirty ones. “Your loyalty has meant so much to me.”
“I will not be far, my Lady, I mean mistress,” he amended at her frown. “But can I not call you Lady? ’Tis proper since you-know-who is an Earl.”
Katherine sighed. “You can say his name to me now, Jeremy. And yes, ’tis proper but I do not like it. Although I had thought to sever our bond, it seems I cannot do that.” She bit her bottom lip. “Something has changed.”
“Please, mistress, if it would make you feel better, tell me your troubles.”
Katherine made a faint smile, remembering when she had unburdened herself to Jeremy in the coach on the way to London. She nodded.
He followed her along a slate pathway to a stone bench set amongst bramble bushes where they sat down.
“I have been putting off a decision I do not wish to make. Now something has happened; I can wait no more.” Katherine searched his face. He was the only man who demanded naught of her, yet gave in return.
“Tell me how I can help you, mistress.”
“I cannot think how you could,” she said. “But, if you listen to my woes, perhaps that will lighten my heart.”
As she spoke, her heart did ease. She told him of the visit from Richard Finch, Nicholas’s letters, her conversation with James, and then about the babe.
“A babe? How?” He blushed and shook his head. “No, I know how. You need not tell me that. ’Tis wonderful news.”
“No, Jeremy, not good news at all.” Katherine shook her head. “I can no longer get an annulment. And because I must stay married, Lord Ashton will be tried for my abduction. He could hang.” Katherine let out a deep sigh.
“Could you testify on his behalf?”
“I would, but I do not think they would believe me because of the letter. I would be so much better off if I had not married him!”
“You cannot say that. If you were not married your baby would be a bastard.” Jeremy spoke fervently. “A babe needs a father.”
“A babe needs more than a liar and criminal for a father.”
He took her hand. “If you knew what I do, you would never say such a thing, or even think of your babe growing up with the stain of bastardy. I know this because I am a bastard. I am more than your friend, Katherine.” His eyes held great sadness and yearning. “I am your brother.”
A shock ran up Katherine’s spine. “Brother?” she whispered.
“I am your brother by half, a natural child. We share our father, not our mothers.” A pained expression glanced across his face. “We do not truly share our father. He has never been mine. I would not have known who he is had not my mother died and sent me to him. Even though he is not such a father to be proud of, I would have liked for him to call me ‘son’.”
Katherine’s heart caught. Gerald Welles had never treated Jeremy with any discernment, ignoring him with the same benign indifference he paid all the servants.
“Brother,” she said the word louder this time. She searched his face, his eyes, his nose, for familial recognition. She now understood why he occasionally reminded her of Edward. She remembered Edward’s voice in her dream: There is Jeremy.
“Brother,” she said again with conviction. “I have ever been sad to have lost one, and now to have another gladdens my heart. That it be you, Jeremy, fills me with joy.” She put her hands up to his face and ran her dirty fingers over his cheeks, traced his nose and his brow. “But why did you not tell me before?”
“I was not sure you would want to know it,” he said. “And my mother made it very clear that it was a secret, not to be shared. Although our father took me in on her death, we never spoke of it.”
“Of course I would want to know,” Katherine chided him. “You must tell me of your life before you came to Ashfield. I wish to know all those things it was never proper to ask before—what you like and what you do not like.” She searched his eyes. “No one need find out what you have told me, although I do not think I can hide my happiness.”
“If you knew what I do, you would never wish a child to grow up without its father’s good name.” Jeremy smiled and covered her hands with his as they rested on his cheeks. “I think you must tell Lord Ashton about the babe. And, for the sake of the babe, you must do everything you can to preserve the life of your husband.”