The Governor's Daughter (Winds of Change Book 1) (25 page)

Mary took a step back from her uncle. She ran to Cathryn and wrapped her arms around her waist. “It’s good to see you, Uncle, but don’t treat Cathryn badly. She was the only one to treat me with kindness, besides Aunt Fanny. Do not blame Cathryn because I didn’t contact you. She wanted to, but I didn’t want him to find out I was back. And with good reason, for he descended upon me.”

“I’m certain he wanted only to apologize for his behavior,” Henry tried to explain. He looked around, unsure whether he wanted everyone to hear. All but Josiah Parker had left.

“Apologize!” Cathryn’s voice rose. “He was—”

Mary interrupted Cathryn. “Uncle, you don’t want me to tell you all he did. You are a good man, but you don’t know…” Her voice faltered. She swallowed hard. “He was a monster, Uncle. A monster. He tried to drag me out by my hair. He told me what he was going to do to me. If it hadn’t been for Sumner—”

“What did Sumner do?” Henry pressed.

Cathryn caught Juriah’s eyes and held her breath.

“As well as I can remember, Uncle, for that man was on top of me,” Mary cried. “Sumner pulled him off, dragged him down the steps and placed him back upon his horse. The last I saw him he was swaying upon his horse down the road. All I remember after was Sumner carrying me back to my room, Uncle. Sumner saved me. Oh, Uncle, Franklin had liquor on his breath.”

What an accomplished liar! Cathryn thought with admiration. Even in her state, Mary had set forth to save her hero, her savior in her eyes, Sumner. She had set him up to be held in high regard. A true gentleman. A true gentleman that pounded the life out of that monster, Cathryn thought to herself.

“I don’t think we need anything else,” Mr. Parker stated plainly. “It would explain why he got lost.” He turned to Cathryn. “We found his horse wandering along the banks of the Ashley River. It looks like he fell victim to an ambush, which makes sense, especially in that area. We will continue to look in that area in hopes of discovering either him or his body.”

Cathryn saw Mr. Parker suspected, but he wasn’t going to push for more information. He knew well what kind of man Franklin Chelton was. It would accomplish nothing to dig further. Only Peterson cared.

“I hope you find what you are looking for, Mr. Parker. If we can be of any more assistance…” Cathryn said. The others were already upon their horses.

Mr. Parker lingered for a moment. “Mrs. Torrington,” he said in a manner Cathryn realized he questioned also. “The matter with Franklin Chelton is closed as far as I’m concerned. I have far more to deal with than to search for one such as he, but…”

He looked up the stairs. Lucy had begun to cry. “To let you know, I received a letter of interest the other day. It asked if I had knowledge if you were back within the area. The letter asked certain interesting questions, including whether you had delivered a healthy child.”

Cathryn, terrified, couldn’t find her voice. He gave her a sympathetic look. “I noticed a slight slip up in our conversation. If you have run from England with reason, it’s not for me to judge. I see no reason to give out information either, but you may want to be aware.”

“Who was the letter from?”

“It came from Philadelphia, one of the representatives from Congress, as a favor to one in England. There was an expressed concern over your safety and the safety of your child, but it seems you have more than one.” He smiled as Philip joined his sister crying. Tacy began calling for her.

“Please, don’t,” she pleaded. “I only need time. I’m doing no harm.”

“I won’t say anything. You have my word. If I hear anything else, I will let Sumner know,” he answered.

“Thank you,” she uttered.

Tacy called down to her as Cathryn watched the group ride off. One worry replaced another. She turned with Mary at her side and walked back up the stairs.

“It isn’t news we didn’t perceive would happen,” Sumner casually addressed his sister.

In his usual manner, he visited the nursery in the late afternoon. The babies loved their uncle. If the truth be known, Sumner enjoyed watching their faces light up upon his appearance. She wondered if his thoughts were on Randa. Her child was due to make an appearance soon.

William had continued his visits. Cathryn found his excuse to visit Sumner ranged from two to three weeks. She was no fool. He came to converse with her.

William had been the essence of a gentleman. He would never consider anything other than friendship in these circumstances. Cathryn was thankful for she knew well it could never be anything other than such, but found she looked forward to his visits and would hate to see them stop.

Cathryn held Lucy in her arms, but Lucy wiggled dreadfully, trying with all her little might to get over to her uncle. At over four months, both babes favored their father with their light coloring, blond hair and blue eyes, but with Lucy, Cathryn saw Philip so clearly. Her smile would get her much in life. It had her father.

She wished that she could in turn say Philip was more like her family, but all she saw within little Philip of hers was his temper. He was stubborn and determined. He pouted his mouth at times, and she would swear he had looked like of the duke.

At the moment though, he laughed loudly. Sumner had him giggling so, Cathryn was worried he couldn’t catch his breath.

“Remember he’s but a babe,” she admonished her brother. Sumner glanced over at Lucy and she let out a shriek that hurt Cathryn’s ears. “Neither will they find sleep anytime soon after your visit. You should settle down yourself, Sumner, and have children of your own.”

“I’ll leave that to you, Jalyn.” He laughed. “This I enjoy. Visiting and leaving them for you to care for.”

“You know this is only temporary, Sumner. I will have to return to England at some point. I have to reclaim our money. It will change everything. You say that the news that Mr. Parker has continually gotten letters requesting information is of no concern, but it is, Sumner. You said yourself when I first arrived home that the children would be in danger.”

“I told you no one is saying a word.” Sumner placed Philip back upon his blanket on the floor. He reached over for Lucy who literally jumped out of her mother’s arms for her uncle. “I promised you I will keep them safe. They are too young to travel, but if any issue arises, I have put a plan in order.”

“Don’t you think I should be aware of what it is?”

“I have a trail to take you and the children on if we are alarmed about any issues. One takes you down to Savannah, the other up through North Carolina’s coast line. I don’t want you going inland, but if I can I would send you by ship to Boston. I have someone keeping logs of ships coming into harbor. Israel has been instructed to take you if I’m not here, along with Mary and Tacy. But it’s my hope that everything remains as it is.”

“You told me once that nothing ever remains the same.”

Sumner glanced up at his sister with his dark eyes. “Yes, that is true, but it also means you need to enjoy the time that is given at the moment. Right now, you have your family. We have no need of the money that is tied up. The babes are content. Look at them. Are they suffering?”

She studied the two, smiling and cooing.

“No, you are right.”

She sat back and enjoyed the moment.

* * * *

Cathryn decided it was time that she went through her father’s personal affects. She stood outside his bedroom door. She hadn’t gone into the room since she had returned. Acute awareness that Juriah had probably gone through his things gave her pause.

Cathryn wished she could ask Juriah of her relationship with her father. Had it continued? Cathryn thought of her mother. Had she known or wanted to?

She turned the handle. The room was as she remembered it. Juriah had kept it as a shrine to her father. She opened the armoire; all his uniforms hung as if he had need of them. His medals and commendations were within the chest. At the bottom of the trunk, a box caught her attention. She opened it without thinking.

Correspondence that had come after his death lay within, most had been left unopened. On top sat one. She recognized the handwriting. Suddenly, her hands trembled. In the far recess of her mind, she remembered he had told her he had written her father.

In that, he had spoken the truth. She stared at it, not knowing if she wanted to read what he had written, but found she couldn’t open it. It had been another time. She had been another person.

“I wondered when you would come. It’s hard. Isn’t it?” Sumner said as he walked through the open door.

“I miss him so. When I got the news of Father’s death, I was devastated, but it wasn’t until I came home that I realized that I will never see him again. It was easier to push the thought back much like if he was off on a mission…for it tears at my heart.”

“We still have each other. We are the only family we have. The Governor was a good man. He looked after me, as I know you did also. You could have cut me off or kept me on as an overseer.”

“I’ve never thought of you in any other way than my brother. Should I have looked at things differently? Was it disloyal to my mother? When Father first introduced us…in my innocence I didn’t understand what it meant, but I knew immediately when I saw you that you were my brother. Now at times, I wonder if Mother knew.”

“I can’t say, Cathryn. I didn’t know your mother well,” he answered honestly. “But I did know the Governor and my mother. Whatever their relationship was at one time, he never dishonored your mother while she lived in this house.”

She nodded. His words eased a guilt she felt for so readily accepting him and Juriah. “Father wanted you to be recognized, Sumner. You have to realize that.

“He gave you so much responsibility. Not that you didn’t earn it, but I believe in his heart he would rather you have Elm Bluff. I have been thinking about doing something about it.”

“I’m not taking what has been given to you, Cathryn.”

“No, I believe I’m right, Sumner. What is it to me, or what will it ever be?” she asked. “I have made choices that will lead me away from here eventually. I…” She paused as she looked up at her brother. “When I to return to England to deal with my inheritance, I have thought I might raise the children at Trafford. It was their father’s. It will be difficult not to allow them to grow up within the country their father…”

“Why?” Sumner asked crossly. “Why? Because it’s their birthright? What about what you gave them? Is this not where your heart lies? This is the place that pulled you when you were hurt and alone. It is your home…their home. One day, we will have to fight for your inheritance. There again you should not have been placed in this position. It should have never been this way.”

“Philip wanted to protect me.”

“Or his child? I know you don’t understand why I choice to side with the patriots. It is over matters such as this. Why should they dictate to us? Tell us what we need to do,” he stated vehemently. “We aren’t capable of an intelligent thought so that we have to be told what to do? Why not let little Philip grow up to decide what he wants to do? Lucy? Would they let her stay?”

“It’s complicated. It is why I can’t decide upon my course of action. But you are right about being forced into a decision. I can’t see how it would be justified to keep my own money away from me over my move. I don’t know what Philip did.”

“I could go to Father’s lawyer in Charles Town. Ask him to be discreet.”

“But then they would know from where it came. Although, they have to have a good idea of where I am…if only I could talk with my solicitor in London.”

Sumner raised his eyebrow. “What if you had someone in London talk to him?”

“I trust no one in London.”

“No, but William’s younger brother, Alfred, still is abroad finishing his education.”

Cathryn gave pause. “It would mean telling William everything.”

“And who do you trust more?” Sumner asked. “If I had let him ask before you left, none of this would have happened. He may be a thorn in my side, but he is an honorable man, Cathryn. Do you not think?”

“I’ve never questioned his honor. I don’t want to be indebted to anyone, though, Sumner. I would rather we be independent.”

“We can’t in this, Cathryn.” He took her by the shoulders. “Look at what you have at stake. You eye the letter on top. I know of what it pertains, but it angers me. You can’t want to return to England, not after all you have endured. Mary told me, also. This Lieutenant of yours…he professed to love you…to protect you…but he didn’t. I have to ask how he could have left you in that manner? At least, your husband stood by you, but he is gone.”

She picked up the letter. Underneath, two more lay.

Her eyes misted. Sumner took them from her.

“Read them if you must. I didn’t receive the last until after I had heard about your abduction. I was so angry at him for not protecting you, for me not being there to protect you.”

“He was angry at himself also, Sumner. But you are right, I wanted him to be different. I wanted him to love me through it all. I needed him,” she said in a voice no louder than a whisper. “The pain of the whip was nothing compared to the pain he inflicted upon me. No matter what reason he had.”

“That is what lies in England, Cathryn,” Sumner declared vehemently. “Why would you want to return? After the war, we can deal with the children.”

“No, you’re right, Sumner.” She took the letters from him. In one swift motion she ripped them into pieces. “Burn them. It is time I begin to think of the future and not the past.”

* * * *

When William was announced, Cathryn sat prepared for the call in the drawing room. She had made her decision. She had given Sumner’s words long consideration. She needed assistance in her quest to retain her inheritance. She needed control.

Everything would have been so different if Philip had lived. She would be at Trafford now with the children preparing again for Christmas. Philip would have been in his element. How proud he would have been!

The duchess…how Cathryn’s heart ached for the dear woman. She had no knowledge about her grandchildren. Philip would have been greatly disappointed the twins had been hidden from his beloved mother, but he should have addressed his father.

With the thought of that man, all her reservations about her actions faded. Instinct to protect what was hers sprang forth.

If she had stayed in England, she held no doubt Eversleigh would have taken her children from her. Who would have stopped him? Jake? The last time she had seen Jake he told her he would deal with His Grace, but that hadn’t stopped Eversleigh from throwing her out upon the street, stealing all she had—her ring, her sketches, everything except the children.

In her dreams, she could see Jake explaining it was the honorable thing for Eversleigh to take the children. Look at her, her reputation was ruined. Philip had only taken pity upon her. She wasn’t fit to look after his children. Look at what she had done—left England to come to a place riddled with raids, scrimmages, and illnesses. She had taken her children into the middle of a war! Cathryn would wake in a sweat.

Mourning had allowed her to hide for these months. She hadn’t left the plantation since her return. She had a fear of leaving—that she wouldn’t return. She was certain there were rumors…

“Cathryn?”

She greeted William with a warm smile. “I’m so glad you could make it. I hope I did not pull you away if you were needed at home. I know it is close to Randa’s time.”

“You did not. I fear my presence has worn on her nerves,” he said. Leaning down, he gave her a quick kiss on her cheek before sitting across from her in the high-back chair. “I hover too closely are the words I believe she used.”

“She is feeling unwell?”

“She is listless and fatigued. I thought she felt warm this morning. Her mother is with her at the moment. A doctor has been called. I hope you don’t mind if we keep this a brief visit.”

“Oh, William, this can wait. Go, be with Randa.”

“I believe she welcomed a reprieve. I believe I have quite gotten on her nerves as of late.”

“It is only her condition, William. I’m afraid we are like that.”

“It is my hope it will pass,” he said and paused. “Tell me, now, what is on your mind that you feel I may be of help.”

Cathryn took in a deep breath. “If you are sure, William, for I don’t want to add to your burden at the moment, but I trust no other. Sumner suggested—”

“I cannot give you an answer unless you tell me what it is, Cathryn.”

“It’s not immediate, but I was wondering if…” She glanced away for all of a sudden she found it extremely difficult to speak. “It has to do with why I came home. I left in a cloud of scandal I’m sure. It’s just I may… No, I will have to fight for my children.” Emotions long pent up within swept through her.

William studied her. Could she see compassion or pity? She wasn’t certain.

“I may have a small knowledge of what you speak. Alfred, you know, is studying over in London. He had a strange visit a few weeks ago,” William said. He reached for her hand. “Are you in hiding, Cathryn? Are you running from the Duke of Eversleigh?”