Unveiled (12 page)

Taking her punch glass, Katie turned away, her heart sinking. Why did she feel this way? She didn’t want him to court her, didn’t want his attention, had done everything in her power in the past few days to avoid him…Did she really expect him to stop seeing other women, especially now?

“Fan, are you all right?” Bertrice asked in concern.

Katie nodded quickly, then waved her hand as if overly warm. “It’s just so hot in here. I feel like these stays are sticking to my legs. Why can’t women dress practically, like men do?”

“I don’t think they’re much better off,” Bertrice confided. “Those high collars look dreadfully uncomfortable.” She gasped when she spotted Christopher and turned to Katie in sympathy. “That’s why you’re upset! I don’t believe it! That Margaret is such a snake!”

“She’s not doing anything wrong,” Katie said firmly. “Christopher can escort whomever he wants.”

“But she knows he’s courting you! She’s just trying to make you mad—look at her face!” Bertrice huffed, indignant. “She knows you’re the one he wants!”

Katie glanced over and felt the wrenching inside her once more. Margaret was a snake, a viper, a shrew…but she was a lady. She wasn’t an imposter like Katie, a poor girl from the slums. She deserved to have a man like Christopher. She didn’t have to worry about being found out, about getting her feelings involved, about being an unwed mother. Margaret was the appropriate choice. Why then did the thought make her furious?

“There’s Charles,” Katie said, grateful to discover that the other man was alone. “Why don’t we go over and talk to him before the dancing starts?”

“I can’t!” Bertrice said in a panic. “I would be so embarrassed!” She stared longingly across the room, seemingly flustered at the very thought.

“Of course you can,” Katie said decisively. “Besides, I can’t let Margaret and Christopher see me standing here like a wallflower. We have to do something quickly.”

The tension eased from Bertrice’s face as she realized the truth in Katie’s words. It was one thing to think about her own fear; it was another when Katie needed her. Ignoring the trembling inside of her, Bertrice squared her shoulders and braved the ten feet across the floor to Charles, giving Katie a reassuring nod. She ignored Margaret as they walked past, and managed to give Charles a welcoming smile as they approached.

“Miss Merriweather! And Miss Pemberton.” Charles grinned, delighted with their presence and with Bertrice’s bravery. “I’m delighted to see you. You both look lovely tonight.”

Katie grinned, then took a step back, allowing Bertrice to move closer. To her delight, the young girl smiled and took the more intimate spot, all the while making sure that Katie was included in the conversation. She was playing the role perfectly, to assist Fan Pemberton, but in the long run she was helping her own cause, and no one was happier than Katie.

“Thank you, Mr. Pepper. Frances and I were just speaking of women’s fashion. I think I missed you at church yesterday. Were you present?”

“Yes, indeed I was. I was seated behind you, but I could see you perfectly. I wanted to ask you to breakfast, but you left before I could.”

Bertrice beamed, her face blushing prettily. “Perhaps next week.”

Within a few moments the two young people were chatting easily. The dancing began, and Katie found no lack of partners as the word spread that she and Christopher had apparently broken up. Katie found herself the subject of gossip again as the notorious Fan Pemberton was blamed, and more than one curious suitor tried to discover who Christopher’s rival was.

Katie smiled and flirted, laughed gaily, and danced until her feet hurt, especially when she saw Christopher dancing with Margaret. Being sought after and pursued was like a balm, and she managed to look like she was enjoying herself. By the eighth dance, even she was exhausted and she excused herself, seeing Bertrice with Charles, and took refuge in the library.

The quiet of the room was comforting, and the cool sea air blowing through an open window felt wonderful on her warm skin. Fanning herself breathlessly, she removed her slippers, aware that real ladies wouldn’t have dreamed of such a thing, but she no longer cared. She would never have the things that a real lady would, and had been gifted with gold for as long as the charade lasted. It would burst one day like a soap bubble, and she would have to return to being Katie O’Connor. It was a fact that she couldn’t forget.

“I’m surprised to find you alone.”

Her heart thudding in her chest, Katie turned to find Christopher closing the door behind him, an odd smile on his face. He glanced toward the floor and saw her slippers, then the skirts that she held aloft in the hopes of catching a cool breeze. Flustered, Katie let her gown drop and indicated the door.

“I came because I wanted to be alone. Now, if you don’t mind…”

“Ah, but I do.” Christopher stepped closer and Katie swallowed hard, feeling trapped. It was one thing to dodge him at Ella’s house, to refuse his calls and his gifts. It was another to be alone with him. She stepped back, aware of the amusement in his smile.

“You see, I was concerned about you. Every time I tried to see you, I was told you were ill.” He leaned closer and pressed his hand on her forehead. “You seem uncommonly well to me.”

Trapped against the library table, she gave him what she hoped was a noncommittal smile. “It must have been something I ate,” she said sweetly.

“Miraculous,” Christopher agreed, though she saw the smirk in his eyes. “And eight dances! I would say that you’ve recovered completely.”

“It must be the sea air,” Katie said innocently, indicating the open window. “I hear it does wonders for the infirm. The salt water is well-known as a cure for many ailments. Why, before I came here, I had all sorts of stomach distress. And now—”

“In about two minutes I’m going to cheerfully strangle you,” Christopher said with a grin. “Why don’t you just admit the truth? You’re embarrassed that you got tipsy the other night and don’t want to face me.”

“That’s not true!” Katie said defiantly. “Just because a woman doesn’t care for your company doesn’t mean that she’s got some other motive.”

“I see. Then you’ve decided, after the last few weeks we’ve had together, that you don’t want to see me?”

Katie felt her throat constrict, but she didn’t have a choice. If she continued to see him, she risked everything. She thought of her son, of the people at home who depended on her, and she fought the ache that welled up inside of her.

“That’s right. I don’t want to see you again. It was pleasant, but it’s over.”

The laughter left Christopher’s face and he stared into hers, his jaw tightening. “May I ask why?”

Katie shrugged. She was tempted to tell him she was seeing someone else, but it was too easy for him to discover the truth and she’d be caught in another lie. Instead she sighed, then managed to respond sincerely.

“I just don’t feel anything more than friendship for you. I am honored that you considered me for a wife, but in spite of the practical nature of your offer, I don’t think it’s fair to accept. I am sorry.”

He studied her for a moment, more puzzled than upset. “Then it is because of the scandal. For the reasons you gave my aunt.”

Katie nodded. “Whether you want to admit it or not, my background will cause you nothing but trouble.” That much was the truth, and it enabled her to continue honestly. “I like you too much to let that happen. I think it’s better that we go on as friends.”

“I see.” Christopher shrugged. “Then there really isn’t any point, is there?” Katie stared at him, wanting to say much more, but knowing she couldn’t. “I’m sorry, too. I really thought we would do well together. I’d better go. I believe Margaret’s waiting.”

There was something about his voice, tinged with disbelief and amusement, that made her temper rise. He started for the door, looking unbearably handsome, his manner unconcerned as if they’d been discussing the weather. Unreasonably Katie couldn’t resist a parting shot.

“I’m so glad you managed to find a replacement so quickly. I wish you happiness.”

Christopher closed the door and faced her triumphantly. “You’re jealous. I knew it! I could tell by the look on your face when we walked in.”

“I am not!” Katie gasped, realizing too late her blunder. “It’s just that your protests seem insincere—”

“You’re jealous! Come on, admit it!”

“You’re dreaming.” Katie tried to back up, but she had reached the end of the table long ago and had no retreat. “You are imagining things. If you want to think that, go ahead.”

“Am I?” Christopher grinned. “When I looked across the floor, I thought you were going to kill either me or her. Come on now, admit it. You can tell me.”

“Of all the…You are the most conceited, wretched excuse for a gentleman I’ve ever seen!”

“Don’t forget rude. And insulting,” he supplied helpfully.

“If you’ll excuse me, I believe the others are waiting…”

She tried to brush past him, but he stopped her. He was shaking with laughter, which only made her more furious. “I’m sorry, but you can’t expect me to let you walk out of here like this. I told you before, Fan. I want you. And you want me. Or am I imagining this as well?”

Katie opened her mouth to protest, but he was kissing her, his lips covering hers, taking from her all rational thought. Her defenses weakened, Katie could no longer think or reason. Her body, ignoring any mental arguments, melted against his and her arms seemed to creep about his neck as if by their own accord.

It was crazy, but Katie could no longer deny it. She wanted him; it was as simple as that. Her response was genuine, and contained none of the resistance that he had expected. Instead she returned his kiss warmly, responding with all the affection that she’d hidden, unable to conceal what she felt.

Slowly she came back to earth as he withdrew from her, though his arms still held her. The room seemed unsteady and she was forced to hold on to him. If the kiss he’d given her before was perfect, this one was even more so, for she had no excuse of alcoholic intoxication. This time it was real, and the woman in her gave him the answers he sought.

“I didn’t think so,” he said softly. “I didn’t think I imagined all this. You are so different, Fan. So warm and real. It’s no wonder I can’t let you go.”

Mortified, Katie glanced up, aware that Frances Pemberton had just made another social mistake. But Christopher didn’t seem at all displeased. Her voice sounded far away when she spoke, and she scarcely recognized it herself.

“Why? Why do you want me? I can only cause you trouble. I’m Fan Pemberton, the notorious woman, the one who ran away with a man, who drinks and sings at the top of her lungs, removes her shoes in libraries, and allows you to kiss her.”

“I think I’ve already answered that,” he said warmly, his eyes like sherry. “Resign yourself, Fan. I always get what I want. I always have.”

Katie sighed. Why was she fighting this? She was taking a chance no matter what. There were no guarantees for her, no promises, no assurance for a tomorrow. Whether she lived with Ella Pemberton as her long-lost niece or Christopher Scott as his wife, she was still playing a role.

And she wanted him. If she’d learned anything in the past few hours, it was that. While she wasn’t in love with him, she did like him. And the thought of being his wife, of waking up beside him, living in the same house, laughing with him, growing old with him…It was almost too good to be true. She thought of the women she knew, shackled to men who drank too much, who beat them and died young, always desperately poor…to Katie, such a life was no life at all. She’d risk social ostracism rather than have such for herself.

And he was so damned sure of himself. Katie smiled inwardly, thinking she ought to say yes, just to teach him a lesson. And it was her best option. Christopher promised her something she desperately needed—security. At any time Ella could realize she was mistaken. Katie wasn’t foolish enough to believe she could delude everyone forever. Yet as Christopher’s wife, she would have his protection, and so much more…. She would be able to help her family, to care for her son, to give him a stability that she would be hard pressed to find any other way.

Take it, Katie, her father’s ghost urged her. Don’t be a fool.

“All right,” she said softly, returning his gaze. “I’ll marry you, Christopher Scott. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

N
INE

^“
F
an! Where is she! I can’t wait to see her!”

“Ella’s really gone mad this time. The old lady’s been addled for years.”

“You don’t suppose she really came back and left that gambler—”

“Nonsense! Frances Pemberton would never leave San Francisco and return here, due to the scandal!”

Eileen rolled her eyes and ushered in the Pembertons, hoisting their bags and innumerable wraps. Grace Pemberton waited behind as Ella descended the stairs, watching with her lips pursed disapprovingly and all hell in her eyes. Ella was obviously unconcerned and smiled at Eileen.

“I see they’ve all come. Amazing, isn’t it, that it takes a wedding or a funeral to reunite the Pembertons! Plenty of tea, Eileen. My dear family can eat.”