The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) (15 page)

On the smoothest and greenest of lawns she believed she had ever seen, strutted a gorgeous peacock, brilliant and disdainful, followed admiringly by his comparatively little mate. A gravel path cut across the lawn to the archway. Lyttleton directed her through the arch into a courtyard.

Lyttleton escorted her around the house after a brief rest. He had shown her personally to her room, a large beautifully furnished room with dark green velvet curtains.

He retrieved her at the appointed time. He showed her the gallery, pictures of ancestors she had never heard about. Though all the grounds were extensive and couldn’t be covered in a day, he wanted to show her the stables.

Cathryn attempted to hide her awe, for the stables were magnificent. There was little doubt the horses were all of the finest blood line. Fine animals, beautifully formed, with the high temperaments characteristic of quality breeding. Lyttleton brought out his stallion which had the distinct markings of a highly prized animal, a stunning specimen. Cathryn quickly assessed Lyttleton’s need for perfection.

Dinner, Lord Lyttleton assured Cathryn, would be a simple affair with only Reggie, his father, and himself. His mother would take her meal in her room for she was unable to descend the stairs. He would take Cathryn to meet her in the morning. Lyttleton provided all of this information as he walked her back to her room.

“Your trunks should already be delivered,” he said. “Your maid should be able to find you something suitable. It is probably for the best that she came. As for your little companion, we shall see. Although, I’m afraid I don’t see the need for her especially after finding out her circumstances on coming to England.”

“It was none of her dealings, my lord. She was but a victim who needs to be cared for,” Cathryn said, defending Mary. “I’m much happier with her near me.”

“We’ll talk of it later and see your behavior warrants such,” he said. “We’ll talk to Father about the wedding this evening. I don’t want to have to correct you, Cathryn.”

“Wedding? I thought you said three months,” she responded, hoping against all hope he wouldn’t pick up on her alarm.

“I believe a more formal wedding will take place at that time. I have been around you long enough, my dear. I believe a simple ceremony can take place quick enough. Then I won’t have the worry about you disappearing on me.” He reached for her hand and kissed it. “I can’t have that, can I?”

* * * *

Cathryn tried desperately to contain her fear. As she stood at the window, her mind raced to come up with some semblance of a plan. She had none. Behind her, Tacy paced. “Stop it, Tacy. I can take no more, I can assure you,” Cathryn demanded.

“I can’t help it, Miss Cathryn. I thought for sure he would have had his way with you in the carriage. I saw it in his eyes. Are you sure?”

“Tacy! I told you. No, but it won’t last long. I have to get out of here. I don’t know where we are. Do you? Either of you?”

“No, Miss. But that damn Reggie said he thinks your lieutenant will think you returned to the Colonies. There was a ship leaving the harbor yesterday for South Carolina. I wish I had known myself.”

“Then we’re going to have to get out of this ourselves. I just don’t know how,” Cathryn said. “But whatever happens, don’t leave me alone with him. Please.”

“If he does press you, Miss Cathryn,” Mary said in voice barely above a whisper, “pretend to be sick. You can do it easy enough. I can assure you he will step back.”

Cathryn sat silent for a moment. Mary never talked much, but the poor thing, the things she must have endured. She hadn’t the time to expand upon the idea because a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Lyttleton once more waited for her.

Dinner was an elegant affair for only four people. Lyttleton had well gone out of his way to impress her. She only half-listened to the conversation and refused to looked at Reggie. Her attention returned only when his father mentioned the wedding.

“Reverend Millbury said he would be happy to perform it at our chapel on Friday, Edmund,” Lord Hestershire said as he took a bite of his meat. “I’m assuming you have the special license. The Reverend understands the need to be quiet because of Cathryn’s father’s recent passing.”

Friday! Her eyes caught Lord Lyttleton’s. He gave her a small smile…a knowing smile. His walls were closing in with no way of escaping.

“It will be for the better. No more of this drama. Settle and make it your home.” Lord Hestershire glanced over at Cathryn. “It is hard I’m sure, but I can’t tell you how happy I am with Edmund settling down. His mother can’t wait until she can meet you, my dear. She knew your father.”

Cathryn took a sip of her wine. It was gone. She looked up for another. Lyttleton eyed her. “Do you not need to eat something, Cathryn, before another glass?”

“It is more than likely you are right, my lord, but I find I much prefer the wine than food at the moment,” she answered while her glass was refilled.

“That will be her last,” Lyttleton informed the servant, who nodded.

For once in his life, Reggie looked uncomfortable. He didn’t say much before he announced he would be retiring. “Dear cousin, pray leave my maid alone,” Cathryn said, taking another sip of her wine. “Will you not?”

“Cathryn, it may well be time for you to retire,” Lyttleton admonished her. He pushed his chair away. “How many glasses of wine have you had?”

“I don’t know.” She giggled. “Should I have counted?”

He rolled his eyes. “Come, Cathryn.”

Unable to balance herself, she leaned against him when he walked to her side. “Lord Lyttleton, I don’t know which way to go. My head is spinning so.”

“Did you not eat anything?” he asked impatiently.

“I don’t remember. My lord, why is the room moving?”

“Come with me, Cathryn,” he replied. In the next instant, he swept her up in his arms and climbed the stairs with her.

He opened her door. He carried her over to her bed. Her arms swung around him.

“Oh, I don’t feel so well.”

“I will call for your maid,” he said.

She pulled upon his neck. Her hands ran through his hair.

“Are you going to leave me?” she uttered. “I know in the carriage you wanted me. You said so. Are you going…? Oh, my lord, I think I’m going to be ill.”

The next moment Tacy was by her side. “Take care of your mistress,” Lyttleton instructed Tacy and left.

“Oh, Tacy, pull the curtains. My head is pounding,” Cathryn raged.

“And well it should, my lady. A well-played performance,” Tacy said and prepared her for bed.

* * * *

Cathryn awoke to find Mary sitting at the foot of her bed, holding a wet towel. She had been sick throughout the night.

“Overplayed it quite a bit. You are lucky it didn’t backfire on you.”

“Don’t lecture me, Tacy. What time is it?” Cathryn lifted her head off her pillow, but quickly laid it back down. “It is almost noon, Miss Cathryn. Lord Lyttleton has been in on the hour to see your condition. His mother has been waiting to meet you,” Tacy said. “If she could see you now...”

“Oh, Tacy,” Cathryn pleaded. “My head. I can’t get out of bed.”

“At the moment, it may well not be a bad thing.” Tacy closed the curtains. “It has saved you for a day, Miss. Afterwards, I don’t know.”

“My head,” Cathryn cried. A knock sounded upon the door, interrupting her thoughts.

“It’ll be him again, Miss,” Tacy said in a low voice, for the door opened.

“Cathryn, you are up?”

“Oh, Lord Lyttleton, please don’t be so loud,” Cathryn cried. Bringing the pillow around her ears, she flung the covers over herself.

“Cathryn, it is well past noon. Mother is disappointed,” he stated, irritated. He swung the covers back.

“I can’t help it, my lord. I have been so sick. Have I not, Tacy?”

“Leave. Go get her some food,” Lyttleton ordered Tacy and Mary. He waited until they had left the room. He turned back to Cathryn. “You need to get up and prepare yourself.”

“I have told you, my lord,” Cathryn exclaimed, “I am sick. I can’t get out of bed.”

“Cathryn, you are feeling the effects of the wine. You will do well to watch your wine in the future.”

“I don’t want anything. My head,” Cathryn said. And then in the next instance, she glanced around. “My lord, you shouldn’t be in here. We are alone in my bedroom. What would Grandmamma say?”

“Nothing, for we are to be wed in two days’ time. I will have none of this. Get up!” He pulled back the pillow from her head. “Look at me, Cathryn.”

“I have no choice, now, do I?” She sighed and tried to sit up. “Ooh.”

“It is a start,” he acknowledged. “I have to say I was disappointed in last night, but I well acknowledge I should have watched what you were drinking, as thinking back, you didn’t eat anything.”

His hand reached over and straightened her gown as it had twisted around her neck. His hand lingered for the moment. Cathryn sobered up quickly when she realized that she sat with him in only her gown. She reached down to pull back up her covers.

“Don’t be so modest, my dear. Last night, you wanted more. Unfortunately, you were also drunk, but the time will come.” He bent over and kissed her lightly at first. The kiss intensified with his hand sliding down the thin fabric of her gown. Her first instinct was to withdraw, but her instincts were slowed. His hand pressed against her. She gasped. He released her only when he heard Tacy coming back in with a tray.

* * * *

Cathryn grimaced with the sunlight shining in through the window. Although in her state, the sunlight in her eyes was the least of her worries. Lord Lyttleton had brought her to be introduced to his mother.

She sat in the oppressive room in silence. Lady Hestershire had immediately set upon her even before being properly introduced. Her dress was wrinkled; her hair not set; she didn’t sit correctly.

Moreover, Lady Hestershire complained Cathryn drooped when she walked. I’m fortunate I’m able to walk this morning, Cathryn thought, repressing her irritation.

Lady Hestershire was a heavy set woman whose face was hard and sagged under the chin. Thinning hair covered with a wig, though the maid had not spotted it correctly, leaving patches uncovered. Her hands, when she gripped Cathryn’s, appeared paper thin with blots upon them.

“I do wish, dear Edmund, that your wedding would be a grand affair,” Lady Hestershire complained. “It is a shame about your father dying, Cathryn.”

“I would happily wait until an appropriate time, my lady,” Cathryn replied. Immediately, she regretted the words as she looked at Lyttleton’s expression. The realization that no one came before his mother descended upon her.

“Do come and fix these pillows, Edmund. I’m so uncomfortable, you know,” Lady Hestershire said to her son.

Cathryn watched him straightway react, leaning over his mother and propping her higher in her bed.

Cathryn’s frazzled nerves could not bear much more. She sat in silence watching the two. Oh, what am I to do? I can never live in this manner. This is a mad house! Relief flooded her when finally Lady Hestershire closed her eyes. She was freed from this room! Lyttleton rose. Cathryn made an upward movement, but he shook his head.

“She will expect to see you when she awakes. I’ll be back to collect you,” he whispered. “I know she wants to talk with you in private. Remember.”

He left her in the dark room with his mother. So she sat. Time passed. Her back ached. She stood, but Lady Hestershire rolled over, muttering in her sleep, “Dear, could you not make so much noise? Pray, sit back down. I’ll be back up presently.”

So she sat. Minutes turned into hours. Cathryn saw the sun waning in the sky. Soon it would be dusk. She looked over at the woman who still slept soundly, snoring. She could take no more.

She inched up, watching to see if that horrible woman opened her eye, but she made no movement. Cathryn eased over to the door, slightly turning the handle. Her eyes never left the woman in the bed. She didn’t bother to close the door, but tip-toed down the hall until she reached the staircase.

She dashed down the stairs and out the front entrance. She had nowhere to run. She knew only she had to leave the house. She was trapped. The hope of Jake rescuing her from this lunacy surrounding her was diminishing as quickly as the setting sun.

Her run slowed to a walk. She took the path to the stables. Maybe she could steal a horse and make a break for it, but she couldn’t leave Tacy and Mary in the hands of that madman.

She walked into the stables. The stable boys looked up, but said nothing. She walked through, looking within each stall, petting the horses as she walked, coming to one at the end. A young stable boy and an elderly stable hand looked concerned as they held up the front leg of a beautiful chestnut stallion.

“We may have to put him down. Don’t know what else we can do for him.”

“What is the matter?” Cathryn asked, walking up to the stable hands. She gently rubbed the face of the horse, a beautiful steed standing sixteen hands high, a fine physical specimen except he was limping.

“My lady,” the elder backed up, “the horse is injured. The front hoof is infected. We have been treating it, but it seems to have spread.”