She took several breaths to steady her already shattered nerves.
“I’m in love.” Kat waited a moment. Not hearing any kind of response from her aunt, she went on. “You see, when Lord Whetherford found me . . . you know he was looking for someone else. A certain woman. They shared a past.”
Kat took a moment to glance at her aunt. The gentile woman sat quietly and communicated with her eyes that she would remain so. Kat faced the window again, seeing nothing outside. Her mind was on her decision—to divulge everything. She turned back to her aunt in misery. “Which is precisely how I ended up being abducted by her.”
Aunt Liz’s face grew puzzled. How could Kat put into words everything that had happened? How could she explain the demons that were hiding within her soul? Her heart and her mind were crying out to release her heavy burden.
“Whatever it is dear, we will weather it together,” her aunt said lovingly.
Kat approached the bed gathering her much needed courage. With trembling lips, she blurted, “Oh, Aunt Liz.” She dropped down to the bed, tears clogged her throat. “I love you. And yes, it’s time to tell you what happened.” Kat began her story. Once the words started, they flowed freely. She poured out everything that was in her heart and her very soul. Yet she could not reveal the most intimate moments with Morgan. She must keep those to herself.
Again, his sister had not come downstairs to dine with the family. A concerned Stephen had watched his aunt go upstairs in search of Kat.
“You know, Stephen, I’m not hungry either. But there is a feast at this table. I’ve never seen you so thin.”
“I’m not thin, Uncle. I’m not as large and robust as I was the last time you saw me, but I am a far cry from being thin.”
“True, true. It’s just that you normally have the appearance of the trunk of an oak tree. With arms the size of the oldest branches.”
Stephen inwardly cringed, for he did not want to visit the reason of his lost muscle. He stabbed a piece of meat with his fork. “I hope you don’t mind, uncle. I’d rather not discuss that issue. Soon, I’ll return to sailing the seas. Once I’m back on my ship, I’m sure hard work will put the bulk back into my body.”
He was saved from any further comment when the downstairs maid asked if she should take a tray upstairs to Miss Katherine.
“No. Aunt Elizabeth is with her. The women are not to be disturbed.”
His jaw tightened as he remembered the missive announcing Kat had been taken. His heart did not start beating again until Giles had that vicious hellcat snarled in his grip. He’d wanted to kill the shanghaiing bastards that were with her. But even that impulse had lessened once he held Kat in his arms. His little sister. Although, she wasn’t just his little sister anymore. Stephen had to admit she had grown into a beautiful woman.
After that harrowing ordeal, he noted the strain of getting through each day was making Kat much too thin. Something was dreadfully wrong. He couldn’t stand to see the haunted look in her eyes. What he would give to see her eyes sparkle, and a smile that would be as full of mischief as her younger years.
His sister showed all the signs of a young girl’s first love. But, she was so damned miserable. On the sea, he did exactly as he pleased. Right now, murdering the scoundrel responsible for his sister’s pain would please him greatly. The idea of being in shackles again killed that bloody thought. That, and his little sister wouldn’t be too thrilled with him, either.
Right now, Kat needed him more. He would honor her wishes. But, if Whetherford had harmed his Kitten in any way, the man would pay with his very life.
“Looks like we’ve finished here. Shall we retire to the study?”
Stephen glanced up to see Albert gesture toward the doorway. After dinner, his uncle went for his usual cigar and a glass of brandy. Stephen rose and followed him out of the room.
Love and concern blazed in the depth of his uncle’s age old eyes. “You know, son. Elizabeth and I could not love you more if you were from my own loins.”
Sudden warmth washed over him. Stephen dwelled in his own private hell, afraid of what secrets might be revealed in Kat’s room. Now he had to congest the sentiment his uncle cast at him. Of course, Albert—in his own way—tried to lessen the worry.
Kitten, the way she always followed him around. Kitten, the way she clung to him—curled up with her little arms around his neck—purring in her little girl’s voice. That was how she earned the pet name he had given her.
“What in the hell happened to her?” Stephen growled
“Your aunt is strong enough to cope with whatever Katherine may divulge. I pray our niece won’t suffer from this unfortunate experience.”
“Can you not see it, uncle? She is suffering already. It tears me up, not knowing what she went through. She was kidnapped, for God’s sake. She may be home now, but she still suffers.”
“Together, we will give her all the love and support she needs to get her through this crisis.”
“This bloody business of waiting and worrying is twisting my insides. Bloody hell!” Seeing his uncle pause in lighting his pipe, Stephen winced. “Sorry uncle. I am used to saying what I feel.”
With the match still in his hand, Albert waved away his comment. “Women are sensitive creatures. It may not be as bad as what we think.” Shadows obscured his uncle’s face. Stephen suspected suspicions haunted him as well.
Stephen crossed to the window that had no light. Dark had descended. Another night. This waiting and not knowing exactly what happened to Kat, was pushing his patience to the limit. What he’d endured on his last voyage seemed insignificant compared to Kat’s welfare.
Damn, and double damn. The women had been alone for hours. He couldn’t stay inside any longer.
“I’ve got to get out of here,” he growled. He marched over to the set of doors, throwing them wide, and came to a dead stop. Two women—arm in arm—were smiling as they descended the stairs. What the hell?
I have been imagining lascivious things and here she appears. Stephen stepped through the door with his uncle following close behind.
“Stephen,” Kat called. “Aunt Liz and I have had the most wonderful chat, and now we find we are late for dinner.”
Stephen was dumb-founded. Chat, she called it. Late? Hours late. Who cared? He’d not seen her smile—really smile—since she returned home. He could not help but return her grin with one of his own.
“Late,” he teased. “I’m afraid Albert and I couldn’t wait. If you want me to leave you any food, you must be on time. After all, I am still a growing boy, don’t you know.”
“Good Lord, Stephen,” Kat returned playfully. “You tower over everyone, now.”
Seeing his sister behave this way after the days of desolation was balm to his troubled soul. How he’d wished his Kitten back. “That’s to show I’m a cut above the rest.”
Kat lightly cuffed him on the arm.
“You’re not too big for me to take a warmer to the seat of your breeches,” Elizabeth scolded. “Growing boy, indeed.”
Albert looked to his wife, his brows raised in wonder. It seemed both women were cheerful.
“Katherine and I are going to have a snack, dear. Would you like to join us,” his aunt asked.
The smile Albert gave her was full of warmth as well as relief. Extending his arm, he replied, “I’d love to, my dear.”
Even though Stephen had basically lived his life on a ship, he never forgot the manners of his rearing. He held out his arm in a gentlemanly custom to his sister. “Would you do me the honor, Kitten?”
Kat smiled. “Of course, kind sir.”
From over his shoulder, Stephen heard his uncle whisper, “I’ve never loved you more than I do at this moment.”
Stephen could not keep from smiling. He leaned down to Ka
t and spoke softly in her ear. “All I want is your happiness.”
She looked up at him with imploring eyes. “I’m fine, Stephen. I really am. Let’s not dwell on the painful past.”
He covered the small hand on his arm. “I love you, Kitten.”
“I know. And, I love you. Tomorrow we will talk. You will tell me where you were and why we didn’t hear from you.”
“I was on a ship.” Stephen hoped to put her off.
“There’s more.”
“You don’t need to know everything,” he said teasingly.
Kat stopped in her tracks. “Stephen. I’ll tell you my story. It’s only fair that you tell me yours.”
He raised a brow to intimidate as was his norm. “Men’s things are men’s things, Kitten. You have been sheltered, only exposed to certain ideas.”
“You have no idea what I have been exposed to.”
Fury at the unknown flooded his senses making his body stiff and his jaw tight.
Kat hurried to calm him. “Not anything bad! Nothing, really!”
“Kat, you’d best tell me everything,” he growled.
“Stephen, I am fine. Nothing bad happened to me. But, I fear what happened to you. You are much too thin.”
Stephen gave a bark of laughter. “The pot, my dear. You’ve gone to bones these last few weeks.”
Her eyes squinted with intensity. “Still, Stephen. I know you. And, I know something dreadful must have happened.”
His eyes seared hers. He spoke in a tone that indicated he would tolerate no argument. “I will not tell you. Do not ask. I will never speak of it.”
Stepping forward, he led her into the kitchens, where Albert and Elizabeth were sampling some sweet meats. All was well in the household. Stephen savored the fact that Kat was home safe, back in the arms of her family. The calming relief that flooded his body was most welcoming.
“Aunt Elizabeth.” Stephen wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big bear hug. “You have brought a sparkle to my sister’s eyes. You have been mother and friend to her. You were just what she needed when we lost our parents. Solace to a lost and fearful child. And now you’ve done it again.” Stephen took a step back to look into her eyes, “I love you.”
Reflecting his love, her eyes misted and she sniffed back tears.
Damn. He’d made her cry. “I don’t know what happened, but . . .”
She put her fingers to his lips to silence him. “Stephen, I will not tell you. It is Katherine’s story to tell. Not mine. I won’t betray her confidence.”
“I would not want you to. I only need to know that Kat is all right, and no harm came to her.”
Elizabeth released a heavy sigh. “Her first love.”
Stephen sighed in recognition. “So, my little sister fell in love. I thought as much.” He glanced at Kat, then back to Elizabeth. “I take it, it didn’t work out.”
“I think she was deeply in love. Katherine is young, but you know as well as I that her feelings run deep.” Elizabeth turned her gaze across the room. “It may have been the real thing.”
“Well, ah . . .” Stephen pushed a hand through his thick wavy red hair. Concern and love made his voice gruff. “She’s home with her family now. She will be all right. Won’t she?”
“It will take time.”
Stephen draped his arm across her shoulders. “I understand, Aunt. I will do all that I can to help her.”
“I’m glad you realize Katherine is a woman now. You can’t treat her like a little girl anymore.”
With bewilderment, Stephen shook his head. His gaze settled on Kat. His heart warmed as he saw her laughing with their uncle. He had to admit, she had grown up. “It will take some getting used to. When I left, she was still my little kid sister. I must admit it is a shock to find her so grown up. But, does she have to be so beautiful?”
Chapter 31
Morgan slapped his leather gloves on the side of his leg as he stomped toward the house. Slamming the door behind him, he took the stairs two at a time. As he turned to walk down the corridor to his suite of rooms he heard voices.
“Oh, dear. Oh, good Lord! The sparks are gonna fly!”
Mrs. Beasley? What had her in such a tither?
“There’s trouble, that one. You’re right. Sparks are gonna fly.”
Morgan rounded the corner to find his servant and Mrs. Beasley. “Am I right to assume you are not speaking about me?”
Mrs. Beasley nearly jumped out of her skin. Morgan felt guilty for scaring the poor woman. Frederick hadn’t fared any better. The man looked white as a ghost.
“Well. Care to tell me what’s going on?”
“Oh, dear. Oh, dear, Lord!” Mrs. Beasley twisted her hands.
“I believe you’ve already said that.” Morgan looked from one servant to the other. “Anything to add, Frederick?”
Once again, his servant seemed caught by the seat of his pants.
What the bloody hell?
Frederick stiffened and stood as tall as his short frame would allow. He seemed to gather six feet of courage all at once. “My Lord. You have a caller.”
Morgan had little patience these days. With much of his time spent missing Kat, his tolerance for everything had a very short fuse. “Out with it.”
Frederick cleared his throat. “The gentleman . . .”
“Oh dear,” Mrs. Beasley began fluttering again.
Morgan glanced at the woman with shushing intent and immediately regretted his action when she lifted her apron, and with tears in her eyes, scurried away.
“Confound it. Spit it out!”
Frederick blurted, “He appears to be Miss Radbourn’s brother.”
Blood and the devil! What the hell is he doing here?
“Where is he?”
“In the front drawing room, sir.”
Bloody, bloody hell. This could not be good.
“Is he alone?”
“Yes, my lord.”
So she didn’t come with him. No. Not good at all.
“Tell him I’ll be right there.” He smelled of horse manure. He needed a bath. Better to get this over with. “Never mind. I’ll see him as I am.” At his servant’s elevated brows, Morgan added, “Do you think I should keep my guest waiting?”
“No . . . no sir.” Frederick quickly said and stepped back to let Morgan pass.
“Didn’t think so.”
He headed down the front stairway, each step taking him closer to his possible doom. Stephen was a large man. He must have been an ox before he’d been captured. A few less pounds were in Morgan’s favor. The furniture was old and heavy. It could withstand some pounding. He only hoped his face would survive those massive paws.
Blood and the devil.
He would have to be Kat’s brother. Morgan had never run from a fight. Hell, if truth be known, he’d instigated most of his skirmishes. Probably due to his hell-for-leather attitude. He’d taken down men more powerful than this one.
That was then.
Now his emotions were involved. A certain redhead chipped at his heart until it opened and yes, tender feelings developed. How in the hell was he supposed to fight her brother?
The red-bearded giant stood in the middle of the room. And he looked every bit the domineering captain as if he were standing on the deck of his ship. Good God. He’d put more than a few pounds back on.
What the hell was I thinking?
Morgan swallowed with difficulty. “Mr. Radbourn. To what do I owe this honor?”
Stephen glowered. “No need to go all noble on me. Let’s dispense with formality. I’m here 'cause of Kitten.”
Morgan frowned, and then remembered he’d heard Stephen call Kat by that nickname. The air went out of his sails. His own
troubled voice was unrecognizable. “Has something happened? Is she alright?”
“Hell, no, she’s not alright. She’s miserable, you bastard.”
Morgan’s jaw clenched so tight, he could hear his own teeth grinding. “Did you come here to take a piece of my hide?” He deserved anything Stephen threw at him and more.
“Any man worth his salt would stand up to an insufferable brother to protect the woman he cares for. Got anything to drink around here?”
Not much surprised Morgan, but damn if he could keep up with the brute’s change of topic.
Stephen stood with his hands braced on his hips. “Not much of a host, are ya? Can’t you offer a gent a drink? We have a heap of talking to do.”
“Talking?”
“Are you a bloody parrot? I’d like to take a piece of your hide, but Kat would probably have my head if I did. I’ve got to face it. My willful little sister has grown up.”
The damned man wanted to talk?
“Follow me.” Morgan turned and strode down the hall to his study. He went to the side table and opened the cabinet door. He pulled out two bottles of his best cognac.
“That’s more like it.” Stephen seemed pleased enough, but the expression on his face never changed.
Morgan picked up two glasses, handed one and a bottle to his guest. He gestured to the two leather chairs.
Stephen splashed a good amount into his glass and turned it up, downing it in one gulp. “Mighty fine.” He gave a satisfied sound, proving he enjoyed spirits. He dropped his frame into one of the chairs. “I can’t stand it no more. She cries all the time.”
The Right One (One and Only Series) Page 23