However, the mood was shifting. People were starting to believe that Dillon and Caitlin were truly in love.
“You cannot believe the rumors about them being in love,” Henrietta huffed. “I know for a fact the marriage is false.”
“And how do you know that?” Mrs. Johnson’s tone immediately turned stern.
“I have it on good authority.”
“Really?” Mrs. Johnson’s dark eyes pinned her.
“Yes.” Henrietta tilted her head in regal demeanor. “I have been speaking with his stepmother.”
“Hmph.” Mrs. Johnson dismissed the name with a wave of her hand. “No one much cares for her around here.”
“What!” Henrietta gasped. “She holds a title in England. She is the most elegant lady I have ever met.”
“Her title means nothing here. She throws it around like a sack of flour. All she does is gossip, and I don’t believe a word she says.” Mrs. Johnson met her eyes. “The fact that she tried to make Caitlin look bad because she wouldn’t allow Dillon to dance with some other girl at the Social only fostered resentment, maybe things like that are done in England but not here. No one in their right mind would expect a married man to dance with another woman.”
Henrietta swallowed the fear rising in her throat. “Do you know who the girl was?”
“No. I doubt there was one. I think she only wanted to berate Caitlin.”
Henrietta sighed in relief. At least Bernadine had the foresight not to mention her name. However, her plan was backfiring. Instead of making people turn against Caitlin they were now jumping on the love Caitlin wagon.
“I cannot believe she would be that vindictive to her own family.” Henrietta had to save face for both herself and Bernadine.
“I wouldn’t put it past her,” Mrs. Johnson grumbled. “She is only trying to break them up.”
“But it is not a real marriage in the first place. Why should Dillon not be free to marry for love?” Henrietta crossed her arms defensively.
“Have you seen the two of them together?” Mrs. Johnson’s stare went right through her. “They are the most devoted couple I have seen in a long time. Why, Dillon just purchased a most expensive gift for her.”
“Buying gifts does not equal love.” Her stomach knotted at the thought of him spending money on Irish refuse.
“’Tis more than that. You can tell when people are truly in love.”
“I know from personal experience that Dillon is not in love with Caitlin.” She straightened her back. “Dillon was caught holding another woman in his arms.”
“Rubbish.” Mrs. Johnson bent her head over the fabrics, completely dismissing the thought. “I wouldn’t be so accepting of the rumors if I were you.”
“You don’t believe me?” Henrietta asked, indignantly.
“‘Tis time to move on.” Mrs. Johnson tried to be gentle. “Dillon is not in love with you.”
“I know that he is,” Henrietta defended.
“That was evidenced by the way he ran away from you outside.”
“’Tis with good reason he ignored me. Caitlin caught us together.”
Mrs. Johnson wheezed as she clutched her heart. “I cannot believe you would make up something like that.”
“’Tis the truth. You can ask Lady Cade. If you do not believe her, then ask his father, or Caitlin herself. They all saw us.”
* * *
Dillon hid the package behind his back as he walked into the parlor.
“What is that?” Caitlin asked when she looked up from her stitching.
Dillon handed her the package. “A gift for you.”
“‘Tis not Christmas yet.” She took the package, deftly unwrapping
“It is an early gift.” He sat beside her on the settee.
Bernadine and Roderick came closer to watch.
“Dillon, ‘tis beautiful,” Caitlin gushed. Standing she let the length of velvet material flow down to the floor.
“’Twill keep you warm while you’re riding Spirit.” Dillon held up an emerald coat. “I even had a matching spencer made.”
“How thoughtful.” Caitlin bent down and kissed him. “However it is too expensive,” she noted
“Nonsense.” Dillon stood and ran his hand over the fabric. “The color matches your eyes perfectly. And it is warmer that that old gray habit you wear now.”
“I cannot believe you spent so much time and money on a riding habit.” Bernadine sniffed. “Something that expensive should have been made into a formal dress.”
“’Tis not your concern, Bernadine,” Roderick reminded her.
“I will not stand by and watch while this woman robs him blind.”
“Caitlin did not ask for anything. I had this made because I am worried about her riding the horse in the cold weather and catching an illness. Besides,” he faced her with hard eyes, “’tis my money. I will spend it how I want, and on whom I want.”
“’Tis your inheritance from your father that you are shelling out, as his wife, I may remark how it is spent. If you use it all up now I will be left with nothing when he dies.”
“My inheritance came from my mother. I have not touched so much as a six-pence of his money.”
“What?” Bernadine was dumfounded. “You have all of this without any help from your father?”
“Exactly.” Dillon stepped closer, towering over her. “I suggest you think twice before opening your mouth again.”
“Roderick are you going to allow him to speak to me in that manner?”
“What shall I do?” Roderick looked innocent.
“Well do something!” she hissed. “Why do you always act like a spineless coward?”
“Why do you always ruin everything?” he countered. “You have destroyed the moment that Dillon worked so hard to achieve. He only wanted to surprise his wife with a gift and you turn it into a fight.”
“I will bet anything that if someone spoke to your precious Mary that way, you would have done something.” With tears of anger, she fled the room.
* * *
Caitlin loved the feel of the velvet. Not only did it keep her warm against the winter cold, but it also made her feel elegant and graceful. The soft fabric swept across the floor as she made her way in from outside. She took a few steps, then stopped and let the soft fabric float around her legs, allowing herself to enjoy the gift, no matter what Bernadine thought or said.
“There is my beautiful daughter-in-law.” Roderick placed a fatherly kiss on her cheek. “You are freezing.”
“I just came in from riding Spirit.”
“No wonder Dillon bought you that habit. You will most certainly catch your death in this weather.”
“Now you sound just like him.” She pouted.
“’Tis a man’s duty to protect the woman he loves.”
“Since you put it that way, I shall not be angry at being treated like a possession.”
“You, my dear, are too strong willed to ever be anyone’s possession.” Roderick offered his arm. “Shall I escort you to the dining room?”
“You may.” She slipped her arm through his. “I am famished this morning.”
“My stomach feels a bit queasy today.”
“I do hope you are not coming down with something. I can send for the doctor.”
“Nay. Do not fret so over a stomachache. I am sure ‘tis nothing more than indigestion.”
“You look tired and pale.”
“I am an old man. That is how we all look. Is Dillon gone yet?”
“I do not believe so. We usually have the morning meal together. It can be so late sometimes before he comes home, that the morning is the only time we have together.”
“Very well.” He patted her hand. “I have something I must speak with him about.” With that the subject of his health was closed.
* * *
“Mrs. Cade.” The maid bustled into the sitting room.
“Yes.” Both Bernadine and Caitlin answered at the same time.
“Oh. Umm.” The maid was clearly flustered by the confusion. “Caitlin, ma’am.” The maid addressed Bernadine, then looked at Caitlin. “A package has arrived for you.”
“From whom?” Caitlin’s smooth brow furrowed.
“I do not know but this card came with the box.” She handed the note to Caitlin.
“’Tis from Mr. Jefferson,” Caitlin exclaimed.
“Who is that?” Bernadine asked.
“The vice president of America. Dillon is trying to help him get elected as next president.” Caitlin was on her feet and nearly flew down the hall. The whole staff stood excited as she opened the box. The excitement swelled when she pulled out the most exquisite set of silver goblets.
“Look ma’am, they are engraved with a “C”.
“He personally designed them.” Caitlin rubbed the round cup with her palm, remembering a similar set he made for himself. “’Tis the most beautiful gift ever. I must write him at once.” She ordered the glasses to be cleaned and set out with dinner that night then went to write the thank you note.
“I wonder why someone so influential would send such an expensive gift?” Bernadine was fast beginning to think Caitlin might be a witch. She had to be casting some kind of spell. She rubbed her chin in thought. “Perhaps I can use that to my advantage.”
Bernadine watched how Dillon stiffened as Caitlin retold the entire tale of receiving the gift. “Are they not of the most beautiful craftsmanship?”
“They are quite handsome,” Roderick offered.
“You should have seen how fast Caitlin flew off to write him a thank you note,” Bernadine added. “She was the most perfect hostess in doing it so promptly.”
Dillon picked up his glass and studied it. “Is the C for Caitlin?” He asked before sipping from it.
“’Tis for Cade.” Caitlin shot him a look of displeasure.
“I find it hard to imagine that someone as busy and influential as this Mr. Jefferson would take the time to make such a gift for a woman he met only once.” Bernadine smiled as she took a bite of her salad. “You must have made quite an impression on him, my dear.”
Bernadine could feel the tension building between the Dillon and Caitlin. This may well be the factor to break them apart, she thought. Jealousy is always the best weapon.
* * *
Dillon paced across the floor, reading a letter that had arrived earlier that morning.
Roderick watched each agitated step as he sipped his brandy. “Is the news that bad?” he asked.
Dillon stopped then looked up from his reading. “’Tis from Thomas Jefferson.”
“I see.” Roderick regarded his son for a moment, “the same Mr. Jefferson that has caught your wife’s attention?”
Dillon’s dark brows furrowed. “He has not caught her attention in the manner you think. He is very influential and Caitlin is not accustomed to such power.”
“Are you jealous of him?”
Dillon waited a space before answering. “There was a time I envied him, but not now.”
“’Tis good to hear.” Roderick took a long gulp of his brandy. “You have a good wife who loves you very much.”
“’Twas a time when Caitlin couldn’t stand to look at me.”
“Considering the circumstances, could you blame her?” Roderick swirled his glass.
“Nay.”
“Things are different now, are they not?”
“Aye.”
“Do you trust her?” Roderick asked.
“With my whole heart.”
“Then do not let petty jealousies come between the two of you.” A slow smile spread under his thick, white mustache. “Your mother and I were never jealous.”
Dillon locked his hands behind his back and took a few paces before asking, “do you ever wonder why Mother was in that part of town?”
Roderick set his glass down. “Everyday.” His gruff voice sounded thick. “But I have never believed that she was meeting a lover in that hotel.”
“Then why did you not defend her honor when the papers attacked her?”
Roderick stood. “I did not feel the need. I knew the truth that was enough. I also feared that saying anything would only fuel the gossip more. I just wanted the rumors to go away so I could let her memory rest in peace.”
“’Tis good to know the truth.” Dillon locked eyes with his father. “As a boy it looked as if you hadn’t cared enough to defend her.”
“If you are not jealous of this Jefferson fellow then why the gloom?” Roderick needed to change the subject. He’d carefully schooled himself over the years to hide his emotions. The subject of his first wife and her gruesome murder were never brought up, although her memories lingered in the back of his heart.
The past few weeks spent with Dillon had encouraged the memories to surface. Dillon looked and acted so much like her. He was the living part of Mary, the element that continued even after death.
“He wants me to publish this in the paper.” Dillon read on. “He says he has been working on series of resolutions that were passed in the Kentucky legislature. James Madison is working on similar resolutions for our state.”
“Do you disagree with the bills?”
“I agree with them. ‘Tis only that the opposition against them will be great. If I am arrested again, I may not get out this time.”
“I understand your fear, son. However there are times when a man must take a stand for the principles he believes in.”
“Master Cade.” Mrs. White’s voice rang through the house. “Come quickly.”
Dillon flew out of the study with Roderick fast on his heels. “What is the matter?” Dillon yelled as he jumped the last few steps.
Caitlin and Bernadine met the men in the hallway. Upon entering the downstairs parlor they all saw the horror at the same time.
“Dillon, who would do such an awful deed?” Caitlin’s eyes clouded with tears.
Dillon knelt on the floor next the painting of his mother. The gilded frame had been ripped from the wall and smashed. His mother’s serene smile greeted him through jagged slash marks. The large slices crisscrossed, ripping the canvas and ruining the lovely image that had been preserved for over two decades ago.
Dillon reached out and caressed the painting. “I will find the culprit and have them whipped.” Anger ragged through him, visible to all in the room. His eyes met Bernadine. “Father was with me, where were you?”
“I was with Caitlin making a list of duties for the house workers.” Her chest puffed at the insult. “I cannot believe you think me capable of this appalling deed.”
“Who else would be capable?” He stood.
Bernadine waved a gloved hand. “You have a whole house full of people you do not know. Why not question them?”
“I will.” His fists clenched. “If it is the last thing I ever do, I will find the person responsible.”
Chapter 19
The rumors flew around faster than snowflakes caught in a gust of wind. Since Henrietta’s announcement everyone wondered what was the truth? Bernadine didn’t help matters. Although the town folks didn’t like her much, they also saw no reason for her to lie.
Dillon hated that Caitlin was the center of attention in this matter. He tried shielding her from most of the slanderous comments, but Bernadine seemed intent on bringing her to town and making her face the lies. It seemed useless for Caitlin to deny anything. The town didn’t believe her. Why would the entire town believe the word of Henrietta over Caitlin? Something wasn’t right.
“I have to get to the bottom of this.” Dillon grabbed his great coat and topper, then walked to the general store.
“Good afternoon, Dillon.” Mrs. Johnson gave her usual warm smile.
“It may be afternoon however I am not sure how good it is.”
“Every day the Lord gives us is good.”
“Cannot argue with logic like that.”
“Is there something I can do for you besides cheer you up about the weather?”
“Of course.” She led him to the back room.
“I am not quite sure how to begin.” Dillon took his commanding stance with arms locked behind his back. “’Tis about the rumors going around about Henrietta and myself.”
“I figured that was the matter on your mind.”
“I am coming to you, not because I think you are a gossip, but because I need some advice. I have not a clue how to handle this situation.”
“Thank you for trusting me with your confidence.” Mrs. Johnson didn’t waste time. She was a very direct person. That was what made her a good business manager. “Are the rumors true?”
The Unwilling Bride Page 30