The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) (14 page)

She opened the bottom drawer. There they were. All her letters she had written. Not one had been sent.
Where were her father’s….Sumner’s?

“I’m sorry, Cathryn. It was necessary, I’m afraid.”

Her head snapped up to see her grandfather standing in the open doorway. She picked up the letters and threw them at him.

“Why, Grandfather? Why?”

“It’s for your best interest, Cathryn. Your grandmother greatly regretted the decision to let your mother leave England. She never saw her again. When you finally came, we couldn’t take a chance. It’s not safe across the ocean as you well can see. Your father sent you over to be safe. We couldn’t have you return.”

“Now, you have no choice. I’m leaving as soon as it can be arranged. I should have never come to England!” Cathryn screamed. “How dare you! What harm could have been done with giving me my letters! Who took the letters sent to me! Tell me! For I know they were sent!”

“Calm down.”

Suddenly, Cathryn felt she couldn’t breathe. Lord Lyttleton walked in the study. He nodded toward her grandfather, who glanced over at her before he left the room. Lyttleton closed the door behind him.

“Your voice will carry outside.”

“I have no desire to see you. Please let me leave,” Cathryn uttered, trying desperately to keep her voice from reflecting her fear. “I’m in no mood to listen to you.”

He walked toward the desk. Cathryn backed up against the wall. He began to walk around the desk and she broke for the door. He grabbed her arm, squeezing it, and swirled her around to face him.

“Let go of me!” she cried.

Without warning, his hand slapped her across her face hard, propelling her backwards. She stumbled onto the floor. He clutched her wrist and pulled her back to her feet. “Cathryn, you will learn quickly that I’m not one to defy. I have tried to be patient, but now it seems you have the need to have everything spread plainly in front of you. As I told you that first night we met, we are to be married.

As it stands now, I foresee three months, to give you time to mourn your father. A quiet affair. It will be expected.”

“I will never marry you. Are you mad?” she stated.

Then, she winced for she feared another blow.

Instead, he gave a small laugh. “You keep insinuating that you have a choice in all of this. It has been arranged. Your grandfather will now be placed as your guardian. You have no choice. It is his wish.”

“He’s not my guardian. My brother is and he has requested my presence back home.”

“Your brother? Your brother is dead.”

She stared at him. Too late, she realized her mistake. “Pray let go of me. Please, I don’t understand why you want this. My only wish is to return home. Do you not comprehend? I don’t want to marry you,” she pleaded. “I irritate you to no end with only a word spoken. I could never make you happy.”

He reached over and cupped her chin in his hand. “You don’t appreciate the situation; that is clear. The matter has little to do with love. I will soon teach you what you need to know to become the well-defined lady. But at the moment, know I will take care of all issues. I’ll write to your brother and explain the situation. What is his name, my dear?”

She said nothing, but eyed him with an intense hatred. Her mind raced. She had a strong urge to retreat. She needed to escape this mad house.

“It is of little matter. I have ways of finding out. Besides the fact, Cathryn, do you really feel your brother can save you from across the ocean? I think not. I admit I’m quite taken aback with your reaction. You act as though you have been assigned a death sentence. Most would take well to the news of marrying titled nobility. But this act is becoming tiresome. Go back to your room. It is best to retire to the country at this time. I have already instructed your maid to pack. We will leave at the end of the week.”

Cathryn shuddered upon the thought. “Grandfather would never agree.”

“Go ask him if you have any doubt,” he said arrogantly. His hand released her chin and pushed back her wild hair from her face. “I know you’re upset, Cathryn, and you in your innocence don’t understand the dealings of the world. Why things are the way they are. If you stop this ridiculous fighting with me, you may find that you will enjoy the inevitable. You will see.”

Lyttleton stepped back, letting go of her. She heard him laugh as she ran to the door. She didn’t stop until she got to her room and collapsed upon her bed. Oh, dear Lord, whatever was she going to do?

* * * *

Her heart raced. She had dressed to travel. She had no idea how or where. Her thoughts lay only upon the money she needed for the journey. To be told she was such an heiress and to have no money of her own!

Mary set readied herself. The two sat with their cloaks about them. Cathryn stood and walked over to the window, staring out it.

Her face stung where he had hit her. Oh, Father, how could I be caught up in such! She had sent Tacy over to the Eversleighs in a futile hope that in some manner she could send word to Jake. He was her only hope of rescue. She released the curtain when she saw Tacy run back in the back entrance.

“Miss Cathryn,” Mary said. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a purse. “It will be fine. My aunt left me money in case I needed it. I’m sure it will get us out of this house. Maybe we could find shelter in an Inn.”

“Hold to it, little Mary. We may well have need, but Tacy is back. We will see.”

Cathryn’s heart sank when Tacy entered back within the room. Immediately, she saw that her maid had not been successful on her task.

“I’m sorry, Miss Cathryn. I couldn’t get through the back door. I tried to say I needed to talk with Her Grace or young Lord Tinsley. But His Grace was there. Had them servants almost throwing me out of the house. Miss, what are we going to do? I knew we should have never trusted the British.”

“Shut up, Tacy. That isn’t going to help us.” Cathryn sat dejected upon the bed. “I know only we can’t stay another night within this house.”

“Then can I offer to help?”

A voice emerged from the doorway as the door swung open. Cathryn turned. Her face lit up. Reggie stood in the doorway.

“Reggie! You have come to save us!” Cathryn cried.

She bounded off the bed and flung herself into his arms. “Come,” he said, pulling her back, impatiently. “We don’t have time to tarry. Take only what is on your back.”

“I’m not leaving without Mary and Tacy, Reggie,” Cathryn said emphatically. “How could you think otherwise?”

He glanced over the other two. He hesitated. “I don’t know. Oh, come on. I don’t have time to debate. The carriage is waiting.”

Cathryn squeezed Tacy’s hand while they followed Reggie. “I knew everything would be well.”

“Ssh!” Reggie, irritated, shot back at his cousin. “Are you trying to get caught? Be quiet.”

He led them down the stairs and into a waiting carriage. Within minutes, they rode away from her grandparents’ house. Cathryn sat back; relief flooded her. She turned to her cousin. “I can’t begin to tell you how eternally grateful I am, Reggie. Where are we meeting Jake?”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to thank me, Cathryn.”

“What do you mean, Reggie?”

“I believe he means that you didn’t hear the footman lock the door as we entered the carriage. Miss Cathryn, I don’t believe he’s taking you to your lieutenant,” Tacy said, trying the handle of the carriage.

Reggie reached over and slapped her hand. “Tacy, you have always been too smart for your own good. Sit back. I’m not sure that Lyttleton is going to be happy I brought you along, but it will be his problem. I’ve done what I was told.”

“Reggie, what have you done?” Cathryn cried; wild fear swept through her. She lunged at the door. “Why? You helped me before. Why turn upon me? What have I done?”

Reggie pushed her back against her seat. “Please, Cathryn, don’t be so dramatic. I’m not in the mood. Do you think I wanted to do this? Far from it, but you see even though I like you, cousin, and feel for you, I like myself a tad better. It’s a fault of mine. I’m not a gallant knight, like your lieutenant. Honor and duty. Look at it as if I’m saving you from a mundane existence with Jake.”

“How dare you! You bastard!”

“Language, cousin. Language! I can assure you Lyttleton will frown upon it. Look at it from my point of view. What do you expect me to have done? I told you when you met me, I’m not an angel. Gambling has always been my biggest vice! Owe a great deal. Had an option. Either help Lyttleton or be swimming face down in the Thames.”

“You sold me out?”

“Cathryn, do you know your problem? You’re spoiled. Granted you have that innocence about you, but when you want something you get it one way or another. Does that make you better than me? I would wager not. If a rule doesn’t suit you, you don’t hesitate to break it to get to where you want to go. That is why you and Jake boy would never work out. He’s one that lives by those rules. The fool! Trying desperately to follow the rules so not to taint your reputation and honor. The problem with such is that no one else follows those rules unless it suits them.”

“Stop the coach immediately! I swear, Reggie, I will make you rue this day.”

“Can’t say you just might. But I can’t do that. It’s the deal. I get you out to his country estate and he pays my debt free and clear. I don’t have much of an option.”

“Why? Why is he so determined to marry me? He doesn’t love me or I him. He could have many wealthy heiresses.”

“Ah! Cathryn, none have what you have. It has to do with the feud between your father and his brother, Lyttleton’s grandfather. It’s probably complicated in his view, but through the dispute, the old man had hopes of reconciling with his brother, for I believe it was your uncle’s fault. Then he had a falling out with Lyttleton, which I’m sure you can understand with his lovely disposition.

“The dispute began when the original Hestershire estate that was entitled to the Earldom was burnt to the ground before your father left England. The Earl rebuilt on a better location. The issue became…he built on land that was your father’s. To make a long story a little shorter. After his falling out with our dear Lyttleton, the Earl settled the dispute by leaving your father the estate, which now falls to you.”

“I’ll give it to him. I don’t want it.”

“And take the fun out of it! He has made his mind up, my dear. I’m sure he long ago decided upon this course of action. You are his equal, by birth if not by actions. You are decidedly rich and what better way to get back at your rival than marry his sweetheart.”

Reggie sighed then continued. “I don’t think you will be able to talk your way out of this. Perhaps you need to look upon it differently. You will be married to the next Earl and the benefits that go with such. Moreover, you can make him undecidedly unhappy for the rest of his life. I’m certain you can think of many ways to do such to him.”

“Stop your incisive joking,” Tacy said. She turned toward Reggie and slapped him hard against his cheek.

“Probably deserved that, ah, love,” he shot back at Tacy. Cathryn looked at Tacy, who eyed Reggie intently. “Don’t feel too bad, Tacy. I really did enjoy your company.”

She raised her hand to slap him once more, but he caught it. “You hurt. Don’t do that again. No, I don’t think Lyttleton is going to be happy I brought an entourage. What a group. Don’t know what he’s going to do with you, little miss.”

“Leave Mary out of it,” Cathryn exclaimed, protectively putting her arms about Mary.

“You know, Cathryn, Lyttleton has looked into your companion. You are as a child that collects injured animals. Sad story, I’m sure, but Lyttleton won’t allow her. Sorry, dearie. Just my opinion.”

“I’m not leaving Miss Cathryn,” Mary said defiantly.

“Ah, you speak! Good for you. Now I’ve had enough of all this talk. I’m tired and we have a long journey. I’m certain I will earn every pence. I’m going to close my eyes. I wouldn’t try the doors. Those are Lyttleton’s footmen. They won’t be as nice as I am.”

Cathryn sat back, but not to rest. She was tired…of being used as a pawn, waiting for someone to rescue her, being told always what to do and how to do it. No, she needed a plan of her own.

She would be at Lord Lyttleton’s mercy upon reaching the country estate, far away from London and Jake. She had no one to turn to, protect her, except Tacy and Mary. She had to make sure she kept them both beside her. She needed to bide her time. Her mind raced with a million thoughts.

The carriage rode over the bumpy country road, but Reggie slept soundly as if not having a care in the world. If he had tricked her, she could well assume that he had also done that to Jake or she would have to conclude Jake stranded her.

Cathryn tried the handle of the door. If she could break the lock, the worst she could do was open it and jump. Someone might see and help. She felt a slap against her hand.

“Be a good girl and sit back,” Reggie said, opening only one eye.

She bit her bottom lip. Her chest heaved as her anger renewed against all of the world: Reggie, Lyttleton, Jake, her father. Last year, she sat within her home, loved and protected. And now! No, her father wouldn’t want her to be like this.

Wasn’t she her father’s daughter? But deep within her was a fear, a dreadful fear of Lyttleton. She had seen it within his eyes. Oh, where was Jake!

“It will be okay,” Mary whispered. “Together we will get through this.”

Cathryn studied the young girl, one who had suffered much more than she had. She nodded. She only wished she believed the words.

The carriage slowed to a stop. The door abruptly opened. Fear gripped her on seeing Lyttleton standing at the foot hold.

“Reggie, why in the hell did you bring these other two?”

Reggie yawned. He eased out the door and stretched. “Do you not have what you want? I wouldn’t have gotten her in the carriage without them.”

“Now, I’ll have to keep them. If I let them go, they go running back to London, telling everyone where she has gone.” Lyttleton sighed, annoyed.

“Where do they think she is now?” Reggie asked.

Lyttleton ignored him. He turned his attention back to the carriage. Cathryn held tight to Mary’s hand.

“Get out,” Lyttleton ordered. “Not you, Cathryn, you stay where you are. Reggie, take the companions you couldn’t leave behind in the other carriage and follow.”

Mary hugged Cathryn and wouldn’t let go, crying hysterically. Tacy reached for the young one.

“Tell her to go, Cathryn. She will meet you at the estate. Now!”

Tacy took Mary’s hand. “It’s okay, Miss Mary. She’ll be just fine. She better be just fine.”

Cathryn, speechless, found she had no other choice but to sit back on the cushions. Her legs shook uncontrollably. All her plans she had thought dissolved upon his appearance. She tried the other door, a futile attempt. Her heart pounded as the door shut and Lyttleton sat beside her. He banged upon the ceiling and the carriage began to roll once more.

“Good morning, my dear,” Lyttleton said. “You don’t look as though you are happy to see me.”

“Please, my lord,” she whispered. “Let me go. I’ll give you whatever you want of my inheritance. I want only to return to my home. Please. You don’t want this. I know.”

“You know little about me, my dear,” he answered. “I have gone to a great deal of trouble to obtain my objective. Your pleas will fall on deaf ears unless I hear what I want.”

“And what would that be?”

“That you will be my bride.”

“That will never happen,” she uttered, breathless, for he turned and faced her. His arms went round her, pulling her up to him. She fought back, but the carriage was small. There was no escape.

“My dear, I can take you here and there wouldn’t be a thing you could do about it,” he said. Reaching for her, he brought her face to face with him. “I don’t want that, but I do want you. I have thought of nothing else as of late.”

He caressed her cheek. Terror flooded her with his touch.

“Don’t,” she pleaded. “Please.”

His eyes stared at her with his hard, cold gaze. He brought her lips to his and kissed her. His hand went to her hair, untying it and letting it fall. Pushing back against him, she struggled to free herself, but the harder she struggled the greater he seemed to enjoy it. He pinned her hands above her head with one hand. His other hand slid down from her neck to her gown. He pulled the gown off her shoulders. He leaned over and began to kiss her neck.

Tears began to fall from her eyes. He released his grip upon her. She immediately grabbed hold of her gown and pulled up on it.

“I don’t want you crying, Cathryn,” he said softly. He touched her face again. “I want you only to realize I could have. I’m not the brute you think I am. Turn around and I’ll pull your hair back up. We don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. At least not yet.”

He gently swept her hair around in a manner back onto the top of her head. Tresses fell around her face. He spoke to her softly. Gone were the violent movements, replaced by a man she had never seen. He helped tie her gown in the back. He gently turned her and took the seat across from her.

For the remainder of the journey, he talked of his family, the estate, and what she should expect. “I believe you will find it pleasant. I have horses. You can buy your own if you don’t like the ones I have in my stable. I want you to make yourself comfortable at your new home. The gardens will be yours to do with what you want. I heard you talking about your mother and her love of flowers.

“My mother, also, will be happy to have company. She is an invalid and stays in her bed most days. When we get upon the estate, though, Cathryn, I will have to insist upon your best behavior. My mother, you understand.”

Cathryn sat frozen in disbelief, for he spoke as if they were happily engaged, not being forced into an arranged marriage. Moreover, the more he spoke; she began to believe that he had convinced himself of the fact.

“I’m most sorry about your father. I know you were close,” he said. He glanced out the window. “We are approaching Hestershire. I don’t want to have to remind you, Cathryn. I really don’t want anything unpleasant. You can keep your maid and your so-called companion for now. I’m impressed with how you managed to obtain your companion without your grandfather hearing about her circumstance. There is much I’m impressed with about you.”

He reached over and took her hand. Instinctively, she recoiled back. He laughed. “Yes, my dear. I will hand you the world. I have so much planned for the two of us. But it all depends upon your behavior.”

“Will you take me home?”

“If all works out as I plan and we marry without issue. The crisis in the Colonies would have to subside, but I, as only a moment before told you, will give you the world. All you have to do is ask.”

He leaned over and for the first time kissed her gently without hurting her. He released her and smiled at her. The carriage pulled to a stop. He exited first and extended his hand to her. Despite her unwillingness, she accepted his hand. Glancing upward, she caught the look upon his face.

Oh, my Lord! He’s in love with me!

* * * *

Hestershire was impressive. Lord Lyttleton watched intently her reaction to the estate when she exited. He was pleased. A large red brick dwelling, a beautiful Elizabethan house, with its embattled gatehouse and the pointed arch at the entrance, the spandrels of the doorway decorated with Gothic patterns. The chimneys were in pairs and resembled classic columns, and the mullioned windows were topped with ornamental moldings.