Winslow's Web

by Jeanie P Johnson

  A laugh escaped Lord Emerson’s mouth. "Perhaps you are right," he agreed. "I must inform you that I am a very despicable person, and you have a way of bringing the worst out in me. Though, I cannot imagine why. If I were you, I would not trust me at all! However, you are such a bold and brazen young lady, that I fear you will most likely not follow that advice, from me either!" The tease played at his words.

  Katie flashed him a quizzical look. “Whatever happened to that person who assured me that you were kind and understanding, and not the ogre I thought you to be?” she asked, and then spurred her newly acquired horse into a gallop.

  Lord Emerson was soon in close pursuit with his cape flapping in the wind behind him. It took little effort for him to catch up with Katie and they rode together at a fast pace through the pleasant countryside until their horses were exhausted, and they were forced to slow their pace.

  "You handle that mare extremely well!" Lord Emerson complimented Katie, when they had finally eased into a reasonable gait. "I assume you have no complaint about her, so I won’t have to replace her with another mount,” he winked. “Have you decided what you shall call her?" he wanted to know.

  Katie thought for a moment. "Oh, I don't know. I haven't decided as to whether I should keep her or not. I have accepted far too much from you as it is, and I barely know you! Besides, it seems to upset Alain."

  "All the more reason to keep the horse,” he smiled. “Even though we have barley met, can't we learn to be friends? I feel as if you are fighting against my friendship. Is there a chance that you could stop being so stubborn in that respect?"

  “Is there a chance that you can stop treating me like a school girl and acting like my appointed guardian?” she responded.

  "Have I been doing that?"

  "You certainly have!"

  "Then please forgive me, Miss Dow...Oh I'm sorry, I forgot that you did not want to be reminded of...Oh dear! Am I doing it again? I do have the tendency to say the wrong things to you..." As her eyes narrowed at him, he added, "Don't start getting upset! I just wanted to say that if I am to call you Katie, it is only right that you call me Alden, instead of my stuffy title you insist on using."

  "I call you by your stuffy title because I am really not in a position to do otherwise. I am the hired help, or had you forgotten?"

  "Why is protocol always so important? Who shall be harmed if you don't call me by my title, and I don't call you Miss Dow?"

  It was Katie's turn to laugh, and she did so wholeheartedly. Lord Emerson stopped his horse and looked at her, which caused her to stop short also. "What is the matter?" she wanted to know.

  "Do you realize that this is the first time I have ever seen you laugh? You have a very pleasant smile. You should laugh more often!"

  Katie couldn't keep from blushing. When Lord Emerson acted like that it was easy to think of him as a friend. "I am flattered that you think so!" she told him.

  "Are you flattered enough to call me Alden from now on?"

  "If you insist, Lord Emerson...I mean Alden."

  "I do insist! Now since that is settled, are we friends?" he asked lightheartedly.

  Katie gave a little laugh, as she looked back into his eyes. "Very well," she said.

  "Good! Now I can forget about that night in the carriage when your eyes seethed, and you longed to scratch my eyes out for having your horse shot!"

  Katie laughed again, but this time a little sadly, as she remembered how she felt when Shancy was shot. "Yes, I suppose I did feel that way," she admitted.

  "And that anger you felt has not allowed you to relent, no matter what I have done to try and appease you! So shall we call a truce?"

  "I...I suppose I have no other choice..."

  "That is not what I wanted to hear! If you can't willingly forgive me, then I shall have to wait until you can."

  "You make me feel the ogre!" she insisted.

  "Well, you are, until you can find it in your heart to put all this behind us!"

  Katie hesitated as she looked at him for one long moment. Her eyes faltered and she looked away, then back again, almost shyly, and put out her gloved hand, leaning towards him in her saddle. "I forgive you,” she smiled. “Friends, then?"

  He reached out and grabbed her small hand in his large one, but as he did so, she started to lose her balance, and her foot slipped from the stirrup as she toppled towards Alden. Seeing her predicament, he grabbed for her with his other hand, but at that very moment, her horse moved farther away from his, and she reached out and grabbed his shoulder, throwing him off balance as well, and they both came tumbling down from their horses. They landed in a heap together in the soft green grass by the side of the road. Katie shrieked and Alden laughed, as she fell on top of him.

  Katie scrambled to get to her feet, but Alden held her fast against him, laughing as he pulled her closer. She struggled for a moment, but when their eyes met she stopped struggling, as a strange sensation passed through her. His close proximity to her, and the feel of his strong body against her soft one, sent her heart pounding against her ribcage. She was vividly aware of his breath on her face as he laughed. Not at her discomfort, but in delight, as though they were school children frolicking together. However, Katie had never frolicked with other children or people, and this was all a new experience to her. Her breath was coming fast from the sheer excitement that his restraining arms seemed to create. Suddenly he stopped laughing, and their eyes locked, as he realized that she was no longer struggling to get free. Alden brought one hand to her face and brushed back her red hair, which had fallen from its clasp in disarray, with a soft caress of his fingertips.

  "Do you know that you are a very beautiful woman?" he said in a somewhat husky voice.

  Katie could not seem to move. She could only stare down at him, and that strange expression in his eyes, with helpless confusion. She could not prevent herself from trembling at the touch of his hand on her cheek, and this confused her even more. He seemed to sense her confusion, but said nothing. He only continued to gaze deeply into her eyes.

  Katie managed to catch her breath, even though she could feel her cheeks redden. "I....I am sure this is not quite proper!" she breathed, but made no effort to escape.

  "It depends on who's doing the judging," Alden responded quietly.

  "Just the same, there is no doubt we make a very pretty picture, sprawled beside the road like this!" she continued.

  "If there was anyone around to see the spectacle, I'm sure we do. However, you are the one who makes a pretty picture. There is something about you that has captivated my curiosity, from the beginning, and I intend to get to the bottom of it. I feel as though I have known you all my life,” he insisted, and Katie felt the pressure of his hand, pulling her face closer to his as he seemed to examine her features more closely.

  Katie held her breath, hoping that he did not realize her close resemblance to Lady Winslow. Also the very closeness of his face to hers and his intent stare, unnerved her.

  "I am glad you have consented to become my friend, Katie," he said, his lips practically touching hers, as he murmured the words.

  "I...I think I have decided what I shall call my horse," she replied in a very small voice against the closeness of his lips, feeling she should change the subject.

  "Have you?" he almost whispered, brushing her lips ever so slightly with his own.

  "Yes...," she whispered back as she stared unsteadily into his eyes.

  "What?" he asked, moving his lips lightly across her cheek and resting them softly against her ear.

  The feel of his breath on her ear, caused Katie’s voice to tremble. “Chance," she responded in a small shaky tone, "because you have given me this new chance to see life from a whole new position."

  "And what position would that be?" She could feel his lips brush her ear as he spoke, which sent shivers through her.

  "Living at Winslow hall,” her voice faltered, and she tried to steady it, “having beautiful clothes to wear,” th
e scent of his cologne was starting to fill her head, “seeing life in a way I have never seen it before,” Katie breathed, finding it hard to focus on anything other than his closeness. “I really have you to thank for all this." She pulled her head back slightly to look at him.

  "I never thought you would thank me for anything. " His eyes looked deep into her own.

  "I'm sorry if I have appeared ungrateful for your help," she explained, "but it is taking time to adjust to all of this, and I have not known how to respond to it." She gave a nervous laugh.

  "Yes, I find you quite disturbing myself, and I am not sure what I should do with you."

  "Why should you have to do anything with me?" Katie’s eyes widened with bewilderment.

  "Because...I...I...don't know! This is something new for me. You utterly confound me Katie." He gripped her shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Ever since I met you, I have been filled with confusion about you. I don’t know whether to spank you or kiss you!”

  “I am sorry I have caused you such dismay,” Katie murmured, feeling strangely out of place. “I’m sure either one would be most improper of you!”

  “You are probably right, though the thought is intriguing!” The spell seemed to be broken, and Alden sat up. “I am sorry if I have been acting improper.” He rose and helped Katie to her feet, brushing the grass from her hair. "We had better get on our way," he suggested, to Katie's dismay.

  "Yes," she agreed, because there was nothing else she could say.

  He went to retrieve the horses that were grazing, leisurely, a short distance from them, and Katie watched him as he walked toward them. Her attention was distracted by a sudden flutter of birds in the bushes on the far side of the road. When she turned to look, she thought she caught a glimpse of a large animal heading away from them. It appeared to be a horse, and Katie wondered if wild horses roamed the moors. Since they had not encountered any other rider on the road, Katie decided that must be the explanation.

  Alden returned with their horses, and he helped her to mount. Then they continued on in silence, as though neither knew just what to say. After a while Katie spoke.

  "You...you have been terribly kind to get the horse for me," she faltered. "I...I just feel that I don't deserve it, after my rudeness to you."

  "On the contrary, I was the one who had been rude to you! Our acquaintance started out so badly, I feel I could never do enough to erase those first memories you must have of me."

  "What does it matter what I think of you? I am only a seamstress, and you are Lord of Emerson Manor. My opinion is of no importance."

  Alden stopped his horse and took hold of her reins, causing Chance to come to a halt also. "Listen to me Katie," he said in a tone that almost sounded angry, "just because I have a title does not make you any less important, nor me any more important. Titles come easy if you are born into the right family, but a person's character is the thing that determines his importance in this life. Do not take yourself so lightly. That is one thing I do not find becoming in you!"

  There he was, treating her like a child again, she fumed inside.

  Alden frowned at her downcast gaze. “Now don't tell me that I have hurt your feelings! You misunderstand me, Katie. What I am trying to say is I do not think your opinion is unimportant. I care about what you think of me. I told you I wanted us to be friends, and friends should not be unimportant to one another."

  Katie smiled a little weakly. "Of course, I understand," she murmured.

  "Oh blast, you don't either! I don't even understand what I'm trying to say! There are too many things happening right now. With all this business of Katherine Gail returning and trying to stay neutral about the whole mess, so Alain won't think I am taking sides. Then you turning up at such a strange time, and you...you seem so familiar to me, but it is more than that. I can't explain it! Everything is happening too fast for even me to understand, so why should I expect you to?"

  Katie stared at him, trying to grasp the meaning of what he was trying to say.

  He looked back at her intently. "Back there, in the grass... I suppose it was improper of me....but there is something about you. Something about us!...You felt so ...so right in my arms. I know you felt it too...I could tell."

  Before Katie could respond, Satan suddenly reared up, pawed the air, and shot ahead of Chance. Alden gave him no restraint. Katie didn't follow in pursuit, even though Chance pulled at the reins, trying to remain with the other horse. Instead, she held Chance back. She needed time to digest the things he had just told her. Katie set Chance at a slow gait. She knew she would catch up with Alden in time, and she wanted to ponder over the emotions his words had created in her.

  If she thought she had felt confused before, it was nothing compared to this new disturbing awakening that was coming over her now. Alden had hinted at something she didn't even want to think about! He had almost kissed her back there in the grass, and he had actually told her she was beautiful, instead of harping on the fact that she was a stubborn child. Why was he doing this to her? She knew there would never be a chance for her to have any part of Lord Alden Emerson. She was, after all, just the seamstress. No matter what he had said about her being important, in truth, she was just a simple nobody. Not only was he Lord of Emerson Manor, but he was supposed to be betrothed to the Lady of Winslow hall, when she returned to claim what was rightfully hers! So why did she feel this way, and why was Alden hinting at feelings that could never be realized? After all, not only was she the seamstress, but she was also illegitimate!

  Katie's heart sank. She would have to forget about the tumble in the grass, or the words Alden had spoken. Even he was dreaming if he thought there was a ghost of a chance that they could be anything other than mere friends!

  CHAPTER TEN

  A week had passed since the trip to town with Alden, and still no Katherine Gail Winslow appeared. The return trip home had been silent and sullen. Alden acted as though he almost regretted the intimate moment when he had pulled Katie to him and his face had been so close to hers. He had acted lighthearted enough in town, showing her all the special places Alain liked to shop, and the interesting high spots of town, but he acted as though nothing had happened between them during those few breathless moments in the grass. Maybe, Katie thought to herself, those moments had never happened and she had just imagined it. Maybe it was better if she believed that.

  Alden had been right about Alain being abrupt with Katie. Nothing Katie did was correct in the eyes of Alain since her return with Chance. Where before, Alain had seemed so pleased with Katie's work, she did nothing but complain now.

  Alain informed Katie that the feed bill for her new horse would come out of Katie's wages, and that she would have to groom the animal herself in her spare time. There was too much for the stable hands to do already, Alain insisted, and she was not about to hire another boy.

  The material Katie picked out was entirely the wrong shade for her, and the cut of the dress did not accentuate her tiny waist enough/ Katie finally came to the end of her patience after a fitting where Alain complained about every tuck or stitch she made.

  "If you are not pleased with my work," she said at last, "then why don't you find someone who will do a better job?" Then, as an afterthought, she added, "I'm sure Alden can find me another position with someone else. Or perhaps there is an opening at Emerson Manor."

  Alain smiled through her apparent displeasure. "Not at all, Miss Dow." She had taken to calling Katie that ever since Katie’s return from her ride with Alden to town. It seemed that somehow Alain realized that Katie did not like to be called Miss Dow. "I wouldn't dream of dismissing you. You do quite nicely. It just seems that everything is going all wrong lately." She paused for a moment and changed the subject. "Did I hear you referring to Lord Emerson as Alden?" Her tone was disapproving. "Aren't you taking liberties at being too personal for a person in your position? In the future I advise you not to act so outwardly familiar with your superiors!"

  "Oh
, I am sorry if I was being out of place. It is to my regret that I wasn't schooled in these matters. It was no assumption of my own making, however. Lord Emerson, himself, suggested I call him by his first name, but if you think it improper of me to do so, I will inform him of this. After all, I wouldn't want to be stepping out of my place. Do you think it was wrong of Lord Emerson to suggest I address him in such a manner?"

  "Sometimes Lord Emerson has very bad taste!" was all Alain answered, and stormed out of the room.

  Katie gave an inward giggle, knowing how it irked Alain when Alden paid attention to anything, or anyone other than her. Alain had been overbearing of late, and Katie could not help but feel a little elated for getting the better of her. She couldn’t help but feel somewhat sorry for Alain lately, since she stood to lose everything to her returning sister. Still, she thought Alain had no right to tell her how to address anyone.

  She was quite aware of the feelings that Alain had towards Alden. It was all so obvious the way she hung on his arm and insisted that he advise her in almost every matter pertaining to her Estate. Katie knew that Alain had an uncle who was some sort of guardian to Alain, but apparently he delegated from a distance. According to Maggie he had little say in the way things were run at Winslow Hall, because Alain's mother had left the estate in the hands of Lord Emerson's father to run. Katie assumed that Alden was taking over from where his father left off.

  Alain acted so possessive of Alden, that Katie found it strangely uncomfortable to be in their company. She wasn't sure if he was genuine in his response to Alain, or only humoring a rather spoiled and excitable child. Alden was so tolerant of Alain that sometimes, Katie felt, perhaps, he really was as fond of Alain as she openly exhibited she was of him.