"Then the only other person I can think of is James Langdon. Was he with you the night I was pushed?”
“I can’t really remember. Alain and I, and Katherine were together, I remember that, and when we all came up to your room, we were all together, but I don’t recall when it was that James joined us.”
“He has suggested I find a position elsewhere. I have tried to stay out of his way, but maybe it is better if I do leave."
"Where would you go? You have no place but Windy Gates, and there is nothing for you there. Perhaps, I should talk to James Langdon myself and insist that he refrain from these scare tactics. He must be just trying to scare you. I can't imagine that he would try to kill his own daughter. No matter what kind of person he may be, he doesn't strike me as the sort of person who would actually kill his own flesh and blood."
"There is no way we can be so sure it is him doing these things," Katie insisted. "And if it is him, there is no way you can be sure of what he is capable of. It is a known fact that parents have been known to kill their own children, and James probably does not think of me as his daughter anyway."
"No, we cannot be sure of anything," Alden admitted, "but I do not think it was James Langdon who cut your chinch."
"Why not?" Katie wanted to know, wondering at Alden's reasoning.
"How would James know which saddle was yours?"
"Maybe he asked someone."
"And risk being discovered if it came out that the cinch had been cut? Not a smart move."
Katie's eyes widened. "Alden, there is someone who knew which saddle was mine. Justin! He put my saddle away one day when we ran into each other while we were riding. We came back together and he offered to put my saddle away for me. It was right after he told me about the dangers of staying here at Winslow Hall."
Alden raised his eyebrows. "This gets stranger every moment! Justin tells you that James may do you some harm and then cuts your saddle to make you think James did it? What sense would that make?"
"Well, maybe Justin is the one who really wants me to leave," Katie offered.
"Why? Because he thinks you will make some claim for part of the Winslow money? Katherine is the only one who stands to take everything away from Alain. Not you. Remember, Aline has an allowance, and whether you are here or not, it doesn’t affect how much she receives."
"Then why are they both suggesting I leave? Alain said she heard Katherine talking with James when they first came here. She is positive that Katherine is not whom she claims she is. She even thinks you have something to do with all of this. If both Justin and James think that Nancy told me something about where the heiress disappeared to, since according to Maggie, my mother was close friends with Lady Winslow, then it would benefit both of them to have me out of the way, because if Kathrine is an imposter, and I know something about the real heiress, they both would lose out. The crazy part is I don’t know anything about the heiress or anything about Winslow Hall, so why would I be a threat to anyone?"
"If James was sweet on Nancy, as you claim Maggie said he was, maybe he told her himself something about the heiress that he doesn’t want anyone to know about, which might spoil his plans, whether she is still hidden away, or he did away with her himself. It would have benefited him to care for his niece though. However, if something actually happened to her, he may try to replace her with someone else…someone who looks like the missing heiress. If that is so, though, where did he find her? However, even if that is true, it seems too farfetched, Katie. Everything points to Katherine being authentic, and since you claim Nancy never told you anything about the Winslows anyway, then there is no way to discover what James or Justin have to hide. I suppose that is what we are going to try and find out, though." Alden saw the look of despair on Katie's face. "Don't worry Katie. There has to be a reason for all this. We will sort this out together, but in order to do that you are going to have to trust me. I am on your side. Don't try to make me out the enemy."
"I...I would like to trust you Alden! It’s...it’s just that I don't know who I can trust anymore."
Alden put his arms around Katie's shoulders and held her close to him. "Don't despair, Katie. Believe me when I tell you I am your friend. Now let’s talk about this trip you plan to take. You know if you go alone, that you are inviting whoever it is that has taken to scaring you, an excellent chance to do something, perhaps, even more drastic."
Katie laid her head against Alden's shoulder, as she had longed to do from the first moment he touched her, feeling secure in spite of her earlier fear of him. "I know. I know it was a silly idea," she admitted, "but I didn't feel there was anyone here I could trust, and I have to go and close my house against the winter storms."
"I understand," Alden voice softened, "Only you must trust me, Katie!" He sounded urgent. Pushing her hair back away from her face with one hand, he looked down into her green eyes. "You do trust me now don't you, Katie?"
Katie's face tingled under the touch of his hand and she couldn't think of anything else but the gentleness in Alden's face. She had to trust him. It was her only hope.
"I...yes...I think I do trust you," she whispered. She could feel the warm, uncontrollable flow of excitement pour over her, and realized that she could not trust herself not to trust him. Her feelings for him went too deep. Surely if he only knew how much she felt for him, he could never do her any harm.
"Then you will let me accompany you to Windy Gates," he said firmly and tightened his arms around her even more.
Katie caught her breath. There was something frightening in the look of determination he had on his face. Before she could analyze its meaning, he bent his head and kissed her, tenderly, at first, and then more passionately. Though she felt herself melt into his embrace, and cling to him, something about the urgency of his kiss frightened her. It was not like the kiss he had given her the night of the ball. It was not gentle or reassuring as she thought it might be if he were trying to gain her trust. She felt there was something almost desperate about the way he was kissing her now, yet she could not keep herself from responding. Was she desperate too? Desperately in love with someone who could never ask for her hand in marriage?
He pulled away suddenly, as if angry with himself, and looked at her almost scornfully. "Forgive me," he said, "I didn't mean to do that." Then he said something that fairly shattered Katie. "I do not know if you are aware of it, but my childhood betrothal to Katherine was more binding than I had supposed. It was our parent's wish and was stated in both their wills that, if Katherine returned before her twenty-second birthday, we were to marry and the Estates be joined as one. I think it was an obsession with both of them that the two Estates should be one someday. If we do not comply with this request, the Estates shall be turned over to the land council, and revert to the crown to be used for charitable purposes. If Katherine did not return, I was to marry Alain. The only way I was exempt was if Katherine did not return, and somehow Alain died unexpectedly. Then the Winslow Estates would revert to me, as there was no one else to claim it. If Katherine and I do not marry before her twenty-second birthday, we shall both lose our inheritance."
"Katie's eyes were wide with shock. "And...and you shall be left penniless?" she asked.
Alden smiled. "No, not penniless. There will still be a tidy allowance for both of us. The Winslows have the Summer house which Alain will have to share with her sister if she refuses to marry me, and I have other holdings and houses. None as grand as Emerson Manor, I grant you, but we stand to lose a great deal." Then he said in a rather strange tone. "Yet somehow, I feel I am going to lose a great deal anyway," and he looked deeply into her eyes.
Katie tried to hold back the unexplainable tears that were brimming in her eyes and were threatening to spill over. "Well, you seem to be very fond of Katherine anyway. I'm...I'm sure she will have no complaints about you. You shall probably both get along wonderfully." she projected, her voice shaking slightly.
"That is not the point, Katie. I don't kn
ow what has come over me. I am betrothed to one woman, and the...the...woman I should really have is out of reach. I never meant this to happen. You have always been so feisty. You drive me crazy. I thought, being Lord of Emerson Manor that I could set the rules, but I see that I can't. My hands are tied. You understand what I am telling you? You were just so lovely, looking up at me, and so frightened. I have always felt the need to shelter you and protect you. The night of the ball you enraptured me. I couldn't help myself then, and I couldn't help myself now, but I shall try and have more control over my impulses in the future."
Katie stepped back from him and stared at the strange expression on his face. She had never seen him with that sort of look before. It was as though he was pleading with her to understand.
"How...how long have you known about this?" she asked steadily.
"Well, I knew about it when my father died, but at that time I did not take it seriously. Katherine had not appeared, and I was toying with the idea of marrying Alain anyway, so it did not seem that bad of a solution. That was before you came upon the scene though, and Katherine appeared out of nowhere. You can't imagine what I have been going through Katie."
"Then you knew the night of the ball?" Katie reasoned.
"Yes...but..."
"And you tried to seduce me just the same!"
"It...it was just a kiss, Katie, not a seduction! I... had to know what it would be like kissing you Katie. Believe me, I had no intentions of leading you on...I just wanted to..."
"Of course not," Katie interrupted, "I am just the seamstress after all. No harm done!" She chided herself for being so stupid as to let her feeling come so close to the surface that he was able to read them. He would restrain himself in the future indeed! Yet she had not restrained herself. She had returned his kiss with all the emotion she could summon. He had aroused the very depths of her soul. He had to realize how deeply she had been moved, yet he had only been intrigued with her youth, her vulnerability, and she had taken his kiss seriously. How foolish, how terrible foolish of her! All he was concerned with was her trust, and his precious Estate, nothing more!
"I...I understand perfectly," Katie said, trying to hold her voice steady. "You...you must think me a fool. I wish you and Katherine all the happiness in the world. She is a very beautiful woman. You suit each other. I...I have been behaving like a child. I hope you can forgive me. Thank you for offering to escort me to Windy Gates. I will be grateful for your company. I...excuse me, I must see to my horse," she said suddenly and ran quickly towards the stable yard before he could see the tears spilling down her face.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Katie had been humiliated, and furious with herself for her impulsive behavior with Alden in the garden. However, after a few days she was able to recover her composure. It was difficult to talk to Alden without feeling a red flush spread to her cheeks, but she knew she must put her humiliation behind her and prepare for their trip to Windy Gates together. She hated to admit it, but he was still the only one she trusted besides Maggie, and Maggie could not travel to Windy Gates with her. She managed to swallow her wounded pride and continue with her plans to have Alden ride with her to as escort for protection, more than as a companion.
The morning that Katie was to leave with Alden, she came upon Katherine in the hall. Katherine looked beautiful, Katie thought, in her long flowing robe with her hair tousled slightly from her night's sleep. No wonder Alden did not mind the fact that they were betrothed, Katie thought with a tinge of jealousy.
"Oh Katie," the new mistress of Winslow Hall called unexpectedly. "I'm so glad you are up and dressed. It seems as though I have overslept, and I just noticed the banker coming up the drive in his gig. I forgot he was to come early this morning. You see, I wanted him to take the emeralds and place them in the vault at the bank for me. He has so many pressing appointments, however, that he was forced to come quite early. I cannot present myself this way, and I have just learned that the butler is ill this morning. Really, have you ever heard of a butler getting ill? So do be a good girl and entertain him until I get dressed."
Katie looked at Katherine in amazement. Katherine had hardly spoken two words to Katie since the day she arrived and now she was asking this favor of Katie. Katie was irritated with Katherine because it seemed quite out of place for a seamstress to have to usher in the banker and entertain him, as Katherine had suggested. Katie felt any maid could let him in and Alain could entertain him, if that’s what was needed.
Katie was in a hurry to be off. She had a long ride ahead of her and could not waste her time greeting the banker. She couldn't understand why Katherine didn't ask one of the maids to let him in? Maybe she thinks of me as one of the maids, Katie thought begrudgingly.
"I really haven't the time Katherine," Katie responded, trying not to sound too irritated. "Alden is waiting for me downstairs, and I..."
"Oh, Alden won't mind waiting a little longer, and I'll be as quick as I can."
Katie shrugged. She knew how long it took to do a lady’s toilet. It wasn’t as simple as throwing on a wrapper! It was useless to stand and argue with her, though. "All right, Katherine, but do hurry won't you?"
"Oh, I will," Katherine promised, and gave a little laugh before she hurried off in the direction of her room.
Katie watched her leave, wondering what she had found amusing about the situation and then turned, meeting Alden on the stairs as she started down. He looked so handsome in his blue riding cape and high boots that she had to force herself not to look at him to longingly.
Then the thought struck her, why hadn't Katherine asked Alden to greet the banker? After all, they would soon be married and he ran most of the business affairs at Winslow Hall anyway. Katie thought it strange that Katherine had singled her out, from all the staff, or Alden, to do this little chore for her.
"Shall we be on our way?" Alden asked.
"In a moment, Katherine wants me to entertain the banker while she gets dressed. She says she will hurry," Katie informed him, trying not to let the irritation show in her voice.
"I'll take care of the banker, Katie. I can’t understand why Katherine would assign you the task anyway, but perhaps she is new at this Mistress of the House business. You get your cloak and as soon as I am through with the banker, we can get started."
It was then that Katie suddenly remembered that she had left her cloak in the tree the night of the ball and had never retrieved it. She hurried out to the garden to retrieve it from its hiding place. The cloak was a bit dusty and wrinkled, but luckily it hadn't rained since she put it there, and so it was still dry.
Katie was shaking out the wrinkles and brushing away the dust as best she could, when she heard her name being called. She turned to see Alain coming towards her.
"Thank goodness you haven't left yet!" Alain seemed out of breath, hurrying over to the tree to where Katie was. She lowered her voice as she began to speak to Katie. "I wanted to warn you!" She bent her head towards Katie’s, her eyes wide and excited.
"Warn me about what?"
"Remember when I told you I had overheard James and Katherine talking and said that I knew she was not my sister?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with me?"
"Everything! I know who pushed you over the railing and who has been doing all those other things!"
"You do? Tell me who!"
"Let me tell you what I heard so you will understand. At the time I didn't have enough information so I didn't want to divulge it to you, but now I know what is going on. I still can't prove that Katherine is not who she claims to be, but at least I can warn you before something else happens.
“James was the one who pushed you over the railing that day, Katie. I heard them talking, as I told you, and Uncle Justin has helped me uncover even more of the true story. When James saw you when he arrived here, at first he thought you were the real Katherine Gail Winslow. You looked so much like my mother did at that age. Then when he discovered you were actually his
daughter, he realized why you looked so much like his own sister.”
Alain noted the shocked look on Katie’s face when she learned that Alain knew about her relationship to James. “Yes, I know you are my cousin, but I didn't want to say anything until I learned more. That is why that day in my room when I told you I knew Katherine was not my sister, it was so hard for me. I wanted to let you know that I knew you were my cousin, but I didn’t have enough of the story at that time to say anything about it.
“The girl who claims to be my sister is someone Alden met while he was abroad. She looked so much like the girl in the portrait that, of course, Alden was drawn to her. He was astonished to discover that she was the legitimate daughter of James Langdon! The reason he never married Nancy Dow, and merely strung her along, was because he was already married and had a daughter of his own. He was merely toying with Nancy because his wife was angry at him for his dealings with my father. You do know my father liked to gamble, and James was his gambling partner. Where they got those jewels is beyond me. Maybe James stole them from my mother. After all, she was his sister, and he visited the house many times.
“Anyway, apparently, Alden fell in love with her, probably because she looked so much like the missing heiress, and he had sort of been holding out in hopes that Katherine would return. He knew about the will and what would happen if he didn’t either marry me or the true heiress. I suppose he wanted his cake and eat it too. He knew he would have to marry me, if the real heiress did not show up before her twenty-second birthday, or we would both lose everything.” Alain’s face turned to a pout. “At one time he acted like he might marry me, then she came along and spoiled everything!
“Since she looked so much like Katherine, they devised this plan where they could pass her off as the missing heiress, then he could marry her and get the Estate in the bargain, and save his own Estate while he was about it.
“Things got messed up, because you started asking James and Katherine questions. James knew who you were, and that Nancy Dow knew the real missing heiress was long dead, at the bottom of that well, and it would never do, if that information surfaced. He was sure she had told you something about it, and that you planned to blackmail either him or Alden with the information. He was afraid that somehow you got wind of their plans and that was why you showed up at Winslow Hall in the first place.” That must be why Alden had accused Katie of spying, when she happened to over hear him and Alain talking in the garden, Katie reasoned.
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