The maid was shaking. “It is just as I said, sir. I saw the woman Katrina going into Eleanor's room the night of the ball. That is all. Then they were found in her trunk and you were there for that too, a witness."
“I do not believe it. If you will not tell me the truth then I must dismiss you. You have one week to figure out where you will go and to pack your things. Your services are no longer needed," He said and turned to walk out of the room.
“Wait," she said in tears. “It is not the truth. But Miss Dawson gave me money, and said that she would have me fired if I told anyone the truth. She is the one that had me take the jewels from her room and plant them in the trunk of Miss Katrina Proctor while everyone was at the ball that evening. I am so sorry, sir. I could not tell her no. She threatened me. She scares me."
Mason was filled with rage in that moment. He was filled with rage toward Eleanor, but more toward himself. For indeed he knew it to be the truth long ago, and he did not stand up for Katrina. He was no gentleman at all.
“Get your things, pack an overnight bag. You are traveling with me to Lynwood Manor to confront Eleanor Dawson together, and to clear the name of Miss Katrina Proctor.
“But sir, I cannot go. I cannot face Eleanor,"
“You will or you will be put out on the street."
“Yes sir," She said and scurried away.
Mason went straight away to compose a letter to Katrina. He had it sent to London in the care of Madame Douvaine play house. In the letter he apologized and asked if he could call upon her in order to apologize in person. He felt like a fool. He had allowed Eleanor to drag Katrina's name into the dirt. She had already faced being forced to be a courtesan, and then an actress. And now she was a thief in the eyes of everyone. He could only hope that she would forgive him.
The very next day, he and the servant arrived at Linwood Manor. It was a spectacle. Mr William Dawson was beside himself that his sister could do such a thing, the entire house was in uproar. Finally, Eleanor confessed. It was all that Mason needed to hear.
He only stayed two nights in the home of his friend, for he could not be in the same home as Eleanor with the amount of anger that he felt toward her.
The very next day, he returned home with his servant to Brentwood Manor. But when he arrived there was a letter waiting for him, it was from Madame Douvaine.
Dear sir, it is my duty to inform you that Miss Katrina Proctor is no longer an actress with my company. She left more than three months prior, and it is not my place to tell you where she has gone. I apologise that you are not able to reach her at this address any longer. Best, Madame Douvaine.
“No, that cannot be so.”
Mason sat down, not able to comprehend his current predicament. He had done Katrina wrong, and now that he wanted to set it right he did not know where to find her. Would he ever find her?
She was out there in the world facing the ridicule that he had brought upon her. He should have believed in her; instead he abandoned her, just as she said that she had no one in the world, and now she truly did not even have a friend.
He was determined. I will find yo,u Katrina. I will set things right.
* * *
chapter
4 2
* * *
The long carriage ride from Norington’s to Kent was not a joyful one. Katrina’s annoyance at Alex’s lack of predisposal on the matter of his betrothal, had given way to the silent treatment.
Mr. Alex Norington of course cursed himself quietly now that he was being robbed of Katrina’s cheerfulness and smiles that would make any long journey a pleasure. He wanted nothing more than to steal a kiss in their isolation of the carriage car, but to do so now would only result in more angry stares. He was still getting used to the notion of this headstrong woman and all the dealings and manoeuvrings that came with it.
“Is this to be the way of it then? You are only to give me short replies and a cold shoulder? I thought the ride would be enough distance to put between the matter of my betrothal,” Mr. Alex Norington said.
“I have nothing much to say to sir. I am grateful for the lodging arrangements. I just grow ever tiresome of all that comes to me. I just wish for a peaceful home for some time and I thank you for being able to provide it.”
“You are welcome. I must tell you that it is Elizabeth Franklin’s birthday when we arrive. It is partly why I have come, because my cousins are always so good to me.”
“Then I shall be pleased to wish her a happy birthday.”
After an early lunch they arrived at Hunsford, the parsonage of the Franklins. Mr. Franklin and Elizabeth appeared in the doorway as the carriage stopped at the small gate, which led by a short gravel walk to the house.
Katrina hugged her new friends and gave a warm smile.
“Mr. Alex Norington! Welcome, welcome to our humble abode,” Franklin said. “What say you of the neatness of this entrance? I myself planted the laurel many years ago and spend many hours trimming and primping so as to welcome visitors such as yourselves.”
Mr. Alex Norington cleared his throat, “Yes, very neat indeed. Good work, Franklin.”
Katrina restrained a laugh, but was quickly moved away into the house on the arm of her new friend, Elizabeth. She could hear Mr. Franklin continuing to ramble about the various details of his home.
“How was the journey? You must be very tired?” Elizabeth asked with the concern of a mother hen.
“We know that it is too early for tea, but we set it out anyway for your arrival in the parlour,” Elizabeth said loudly so that the men could hear.
“Oh yes, we spared no trouble in fetching the finest teas and cakes in season, as nothing is too good for my dear wife’s week of celebration,” Mr. Franklin proclaimed loudly.
“Yes you do spoil me, my dear,” Elizabeth responded giving Katrina a joke of a smile. Katrina giggled.
Within minutes the group was sat down in the parlour conversing lively, drinking tea, and partaking in cakes. Mr. Franklin walked Mr. Alex Norington around the room explaining in detail every piece of furniture and painting, while Mr. Alex Norington nodded his head pretending to listen. Elizabeth and Katrina sat at the table quietly conversing.
“After tea we are to have a walk in the gardens followed by an early dinner. You have not changed your mind, Katrina? You will stay with us, will you not?” Elizabeth asked with a bit of panic.
“Of course, Elizabeth, I am here to visit. I am not going anywhere and very grateful for your accommodations,” Katrina smiled.
“Good, I am glad for it. It will be good to have a woman’s company in the house.”
Then Elizabeth looked at the men who were in the corner staring at a clock while Franklin explained its origin. Elizabeth leaned in close and whispered. “What is the matter? There is something off.”
“Oh, my dear new friend you know me well already, but I cannot say here, perhaps in the garden?” Katrina said.
“My love! I think it is time for a turn in the gardens,” Elizabeth said loudly to Franklin.
“Oh yes, I would love to show Mr. Alex Norington my latest prized roses,” Franklin said with a joyful smile as he headed for the door.
“Pray, if you will excuse me, I am to walk to my aunt’s. She is expecting me and I shall be back before dinner,” Mr. Alex Norington said with bow to the women.
“That is a fair idea. I will walk with you sir, it is a fine day – yes indeed it is,” Franklin said getting excited.
“That is a good idea indeed,” Katrina said, confused about this aunt that he had not spoken of as of yet. Indeed this man was full of secrets, just as she was.
“Oh yes my love, give Lady Patricia my best and it will give me talk with Katrina. We are to the gardens,” Elizabeth said looping her arm in Katrina’s and leading her out into the hall before Mr. Alex Norington could object. The pair giggled all the way out to the back gardens.
“Now you must tell me what troubles you,” Elizabeth said.
Katrina si
ghed. “It is silly really. I should not be troubled by it, but I am.” Katrina new that she could not tell the wife of a clergyman all that had happened to her so she became the actress once more. “I am to go into London in six months’ time to start a fresh and it gives me great anxiety. That is all.”
“Yes, I understand that indeed. I cannot imagine being on your own you poor thing. Well you have sanctuary here for those six months. Might I encourage you to write to all your relations and see if any are able to help. It will do you good to have a relation to stay with while in London until you are set up, would it not?”
“Yes I suppose you are right,” Katrina said immediately thinking of Madame Douvaine and Adeline. For surely they could take her in as a guests for a few weeks while she figured out what to do next. Perhaps she would go to a boarding house after all and start work in a factory.
“Lady Patricia insists that my birthday dinner tomorrow night be celebrated at Moore Park, so you will have the chance to see it. It is very grand.”
“I would like that very much.”
“Lady Patricia knows Alex was coming all this way to see me on my birthday and she has said that you are welcome also because you are a friend of her nephew and my cousin by marriage. I tried to say no, but Franklin was quick to say yes a thousand times. I think he is very proud to have his wife’s birthday celebrated in such a grand manner. It will be the talk of Kent. I could not deny him such happiness,” Elizabeth said.
Katrina gave her a smug look as she arched her brows at her friend, “And I suppose it has nothing to do with how it makes you feel to have your birthday celebrated in such a grand manner.”
“Oh Katrina I do confess it is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. Do you hate me for wanting to indulge so?”
Katrina laughed, “No, of course not.”
“And you will come?”
“I suppose I cannot escape the occasion now.” She teased.
“Now let’s take a turn about the garden and tell me what your life is like. No more talk of Lady Patricia.”
The women enjoyed gossiping and divulging about society while walking the gardens. It was as if they were indeed old friends instead of new.
* * *
chapter
4 3
* * *
As promised, Mr. Alex Norington returned before dinner to find Katrina alone in the parlour, while the Franklins frantically made sure their servants were making a perfect dinner setting in the dining room.
Katrina heard her him walk in the parlour, but she did not look up from her book.
“I suppose your friend has told you that her birthday tomorrow is to be celebrated at Moore Park?” he said as he moved to the window.
“Yes.”
Mr. Alex Norington sighed frustrated that he was only getting one-word answers. He stood at the mantel-piece and then looked around the parlour.
“Pray, excuse me,” she said as she put the book down and headed for the door. “I shall see if Elizabeth needs any help.”
The next evening Katrina sat in the carriage in an elegant emerald green dinner gown that made her think of Mason. Alex had purchased it for her for the occasion of staying with his cousins, but he did not know that her heart belonged to Mason.
The carriage pulled up in front of Moore Park. Walking into Moore was just as grand as Katrina expected. Though now the grandeur of these places seemed tainted with hate and resentment. Lady Patricia stood in the entrance hall with Anne Romaine and Mrs. Alterson as they received three guests that Katrina did not know, but would learn later that they were acquainted through the clergy and were guests of the Franklins.
“Mr. Alex Norington, I am delighted,” Patricia said as she kissed her nephew on the cheek.
“And this is my friend Katrina Proctor, staying with the Franklins.”
“Yes, of course,” Patricia said.
“This is my daughter Miss Anne Romaine,” Patricia said pawning off Katrina to greet her daughter as she greeted the next guest in line behind her.
“Miss Romaine,” Katrina said greeting the heir to Moore who looked thin, sickly, and indifferent to everything around her.
Mr. Alex Norington led her into the grand parlour.
“Katrina!” Elizabeth said, walking across the parlour in a very elegant but modest maroon dress that was a bit out of character for the wife of a clergyman. She had arrived earlier than she to help with the arrangements.
“Elizabeth! Happy Birthday,” Katrina said hugging her.
“Indeed, my best wishes to you Mrs. Franklin,” Mr. Alex Norington said.
“Thank you, and thank you both for making the journey. This means the world to me,” Elizabeth said, looking at them.
“I shall fetch myself a brandy,” Mr. Alex Norington said, bowing to the women before moving off to join a few men gathered around a game of cards and brandy.
Elizabeth made the rounds showing off her new friend Katrina to all her new relations. Katrina was happy that Elizabeth had made friends around her age in this new society, as she had worried she was all alone in the parsonage. It made Katrina feel warm to see her friend light up so. She was definitely the woman of the hour, and Elizabeth was taking it all in.
An hour after the reception in the parlour, a grand dinner was served. Katrina was taken aback by the grandness of the feast all in Elizabeth’s honour, yet she felt that Lady Patricia did it more for herself. She couldn’t have anyone talking ill about a bad dinner at Moore Park.
“Mrs. Franklin did I tell you that Sir James Kinsley has written to call upon my daughter?” Lady Patricia announced loudly even though Elizabeth was only seated two chairs down from Patricia.
“No, indeed you...” Elizabeth began to answer.
“He is only one of many suitors that have made themselves known toward my daughter. We can hardly keep up. She is very much desired by all. Ever since word spread that she was no longer promised to Mason Byers – as has always been assumed,” she mumbled and then continued. “Well they have just come running. Yes, Anne is highly admired and I am sure that she will end up with a Baron, or higher.”
“That is very fortunate,” Elizabeth responded.
Katrina held her napkin up to her mouth, hiding her shock. Did she say Mason Byers? It could not be. Her stomach turned.
The dinner went on with many interludes such as these by Lady Patricia, that seemed to provide discomfort to all those gathered; not just Katrina. But all she could think of was Mason being betrothed to this woman Anne and never mentioning it to her. The scoundrel.
After the grand dinner and even grander rich dessert, all retired to the parlour, where the small party continued with a lively atmosphere. Mr. Franklin made loud boast about what a grand party it was indeed for his wife. Lady Patricia seemed to follow closely behind Katrina making sure that she was in earshot of the many compliments that Anne had received. Katrina was embarrassed to admit that it was not all as bad as she had imagined it would be. In truth her imagination had conjured up far worse than she was experiencing in the house of high society that seemed to resent her always.
“Can you believe all this? I never thought I would have such a grand birthday in all my life,” Elizabeth whispered to her friend.
“Yes, I still find it hard to believe myself,” Katrina said thinking of her own journey from farm girl to courtesan, actress, high society woman and scandalous thief.
“And how are you fairing?” Lady Patricia said interrupting the conversation between Elizabeth and Katrina.
“I’m fairing quite well, thank you,” Katrina replied.
“I should think this place too grand for you, since you are used to much smaller homes. I have heard your name before and know where you come from,” Lady Patricia sneered at her.
It was clear to Katrina that Patricia was no longer going to behave and there was a battle brewing.
“I am smart enough for a challenge, even one so grand as this place,” Katrina said.
�
�Well I would not get too comfortable. I fancy that Mr. Alex Norington is only subduing his wild fancy and will soon realize his mistake in helping a destitute such as yourself. I think that...”
“Enough.” Mr. Alex Norington said putting himself between Katrina and Patricia as he stared down his aunt. “I will not have you speak so of my friend, aunt.”
“Alex, I was only...” Patricia said with a light laugh trying to cover her words.
“Attempting to insult my friend is also an insult to me,” he said. “Come, Katrina, we have stayed long enough.” He put his arm through Katrina’s and led her out of the now quiet parlour. All stared in shock with gaping mouths. Katrina looked admirably at her friend and then gave a glance to Elizabeth with a shrug.
In the carriage, Mr. Alex Norington was steaming on the way back to the Franklin’s.
“I never should have taken you there. I know better,” he said with restrained anger.
“I do not need you to stand up for me, I am capable of defending myself,” Katrina said.
“I am aware of that.” He said looking at her with admiration. “But no one speaks to my friend like that.”
The next day, Alex Norington left back to his life and Katrina stayed on with the Franklins.
She did as her friend suggested and wrote to Madame Douvaine and Adeline, but was met with an unusual reply.
Dear Katrina,
We are traveling with the theatre starting tomorrow through England. But in a month’s time time we will be taking residence in Hampshire at a country home. You are welcome to join us there if you wish. Below is the address and we shall be in residence starting first week of June.
Madame Douvaine.
It was not the reply she expected but was happy to receive it. For now she had a place to go once her time with the Franklins came to an end.
Indeed she was also very excited to receive a letter from Adeline who was still an actress and was happy to see her if she would come to the country house.
The next six months passed slowly for Katrina. Indeed she knew it was because she had been without drama. It had been very quiet and peaceful as she helped Elizabeth with Christmas dinner and New Year, and provided companionship. How she envied Elizabeth’s simple life and wanted just as much for herself one day.
An Alone and Destitute Girl (#3, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 19
