by Ella Edon
"Where is Katherine? Lady Victoria? What happened? "
The Dowager Marchioness sighed. She stepped away from the window and looked him in the eye. "She left. Apparently, she returned from your office and was saddened by something she saw and heard, Lord Bowmount."
He paled. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Certainly, Katherine had not bumped into Mary. Or seen Mary in his office. He was going to tell her by himself. If she heard anything, then she would know that he loved her. Why then would she leave?
"Her brother visited earlier. He spoke of a rumor. Katherine, wanting to prove him wrong, went into Old Street to see you. She came home saddened. She left not long after that. And I have no idea where."
Arthur shook his head. It was unbelievable. She wouldn't leave him, would she? Why didn't she wait to confront him? He felt it all at once—fear, despair, heartbreak.
"I only wish to be wed to her," he muttered.
The Dowager Marchioness scoffed. "Did you tell her this, Lord Bowmount? Or are you only just realizing this after her departure?"
Words failed him then. He simply let his shoulders slump. "Where can I find her? I can explain to her what truly was going on at the office with Mary."
The Dowager Marchioness walked over to the dining room table. She pulled out a chair and took a seat. "She didn’t say where she and Victoria were headed. You will have to find her, Lord Bowmount."
Arthur had already stormed out of the dining room before she was done. He knew where she would be. Where else would she go other than Somerset Castle? He would go there and tell her that all was not as it seemed. Mary had come to try to persuade him, but he didn't want her. Not when he was in love with Katherine. It was dark when he got outside, night had fallen fast.
He rushed into the stable and was about to mount a horse when Randolph, Mr. Stewart, and Gerald were by his side.
"My Lord, I'm afraid it's late. The Dowager Marchioness has strongly advised against you going to Somerset Castle at this hour," Mr. Stewart said.
Arthur ignored them all and mounted the horse. They all stepped back, but when he turned to look at them, he saw the plea in their eyes. He looked away. They had been the ones to allow Katherine to leave. They had no right to stand before him to tell him where to go and what to do. He wanted Katherine back and he was going to bring her back, himself. He touched his heels to the horse’s sides, riding off into the dark.
He looked up at the sky at intervals. It was indeed late, but if he waited until the next day, then Katherine may never want to see him again. He felt as though time was of essence. With each passing moment, Katherine would become more and more convinced of something that was untrue.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Arthur had never been to Somerset castle. He had only seen it from afar when Gerald decided to make use of the outer route on their way to Old Street. But he had never been so close to it. His pulled the reins of his horse and it came to a halt. The manor was large, surrounded by rich, green leaves at every corner. The more colorful flowers were gathered at one corner beside the main building. Slab stones were raised high by its sides and he could see, even from where he stood, that lights glowed in the windows. Specifically, he could see one well-lit room, up on the fourth floor. A shadow came to the window, and as though shadow disappeared, a man walked and stood before the window, with a glass held up to his mouth. The man was approached then by two hands. Arthur looked away, for he knew those were a lady's hands and he knew what was to happen. He unmounted his horse and tied it by the corner and walked to the entrance. He knocked and stepped back, hoping that the door would be open soon, and it was.
Before him stood a man, tall, bald, and rigid. He seemed unhappy to see Arthur. Perhaps it was because of the hour. Arthur stood upright, then jerked his head sideways.
"I would like to see Lady Bowmount," he said.
The butler frowned, but remained still. "Lady Katherine isn't here. She should be at her home." He paused, looked over Arthur before saying, "Her matrimonial home."
Arthur didn't believe a word he said. He knew Katherine was furious with him, but he needed a chance to speak to her. There was nowhere else she would be besides here, the home where she had grown up. So, he knew the butler was telling a lie.
He became frantic. The butler raised a brow. Arthur shook his head. "I want to see her; tell her it won't take but a moment."
"I'm sorry, but —"
"I just need a little time to make her understand!" he snapped.
The door opened wider to reveal the Duke of Somerset. He scrutinized Arthur strangely. Then with his chin tilted high, he said in a clipped tone. "Bowmount, to what do I owe this visit, and at such late hour? "
"Pardon me, Your Grace, but I wish to speak to Lady Katherine. I won't take much time. A few words with the lady and I will be on my way."
"It is better that you be on your way now. The lady is not here. And even if she were, I would never allow her see you. Not after everything you have done. Because of you, my daughter no longer is reputable before the ton. She may never wed a good man again, as well. Because of you, she is ruined."
Lord Bowmount thought the conversation useless if Katherine was not at Somerset Castle, but he wanted to set everything right. Especially with Katherine's father. Because he was most certain that soon, he would be wed to Katherine and all will be well again. "Am I not a good gentleman, Your Grace? "
"You only wish for her to be your Mistress, Bowmount! And news of your...encounters have spread far and wide. Katherine was down and you took advantage of her at those moments!"
"I wish to wed her, Your Grace, if she will have me."
Another person appeared by the Duke's side. It was his Duchess. Her eyes were red and she looked sad. Arthur felt guilty because he knew that he had a hand in her sadness. He could only imagine how she scorned him.
The Duke scoffed. “I do not know my daughter's whereabouts, Lord Bowmount. But if you find her, pray tell. Have a goodnight." He walked away after his words. The clump of his boots echoed through the house.
The Duchess stood there, staring at him. His shoulders sagged. Perhaps they were telling the truth, and Katherine was not here. But where would she go and on such short notice? He bowed to the Duchess and the butler. He made to turn but the Duchess called out to him. He turned.
"Do you really intend to wed her?" she asked.
He nodded once. "Of course, I intend to be wed to her, I love her."
"And Mary? Have you no desire to rekindle what you both had? That Lady went about telling everyone who wanted to hear, that she is betrothed to you."
"Those were all lies, Your Grace. My heart only yearns for one person. And that is Lady Katherine. I wish to speak to her, so I can tell her myself."
The Duchess sighed. "If you wish to, then you must go home tonight. And when you awake tomorrow, you must visit her friends. Katherine did come here, but she had no wish to stay. She refused to tell anyone where she would be going with Victoria. But I believe her friends are rather persuasive and if anyone knows, it would be them."
The news that he had hope of finding her relieved him. If the Duchess was telling him how to find her, it meant that she had softened to him. It meant that he had her blessing. And it meant a lot to him. "Thank you, Your Grace."
She nodded. She raised her chin and turned away from him. The door closed shortly after that. He turned and looked up at the sky. It was so dark that it looked as though everywhere was black. The Duchess was right. He needed to go home. It would be rude and late if he were to disturb any household again at such hour.
He would set out the following day to find her. And he hoped that he would see her — no, he knew he would find her. And then, he would finally be able to express what he felt, without fear. He would try his best, to persuade the Duchesses of Richmond and York. They would be of great help. As he rode back home, he felt a little bit relived. There was hope.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The cottage wa
s nothing like the manor and castle she lived in while she was growing up and while she was married, but it was comfortable. It had two small rooms, but one was larger than the other. The cottage smelled old. Her grandmother's beautiful antique French flower vases were still on a shelf in the living room, dusty and unchanged. It had been years since any member of her family had been to the cottage. Since her grandmother died, no one had bothered coming to the place an elderly lady had found comfort in.
But Katherine had loved it then, as she did now. It reminded her of the days when she had been free and playful. When she didn't have to worry about rumors. She didn't have to worry about what anyone had to say about her. Her grandmother always said she brought so much joy to her.
Katherine stared at the vase for a very long time. She would put some flowers there. When Amelia and Darlene returned from the market, she would tell them to have the glass cleaned. She sighed and looked away from it.
No one would ever think to find her here. The cottage was located at the bordering land behind Somerset Castle. She was seated on an old chair which she had spent time cleaning, along with all the other household items.
Victoria walked out of the room, her hair was a mess, scattered everywhere. Katherine frowned. “Now, dear, bring me a comb, and let's get your hair straightened."
Victoria gazed at her mother sadly before nodding once. Katherine could see that Victoria was saddened. She felt sad as well. After her conversation with the Dowager Marchioness the day before, she decided that she needed to take her life into her own hands as soon as possible. She didn't want to spend her time being angry and miserable because of anyone else. It was why she decided to move out of Bowmount Hall with her daughter and start over. She needed to get over Arthur before he wed Lady Mary.
She had packed up very few of her belongings and Victoria's. She had been in haste. She didn't want Arthur to come home and see her, because she knew that his presence would change everything. She might not find it within herself to go anywhere. She couldn't be his mistress, not any longer.
She breathed out. Perhaps she would move away from Somerset soon. She shook her head. She wasn't planning for the future yet. She just needed some time away before she was ready to face the public again.
Victoria came back seconds later with a comb. She sat in front of Katherine on a small stool as Katherine brushed her hair. Amelia and even Darlene had been more than happy to come along with them. While Katherine shared a room with Victoria, the two maids slept in the smaller room. They seemed quite eager to go with her. Perhaps they pitied what she had gone through, but she didn't want to think about all of that. She didn't want to think about Arthur. Despite the fact that she did need their help, she also needed time alone. So, after they had dressed both she and Victoria, she sent them both out to the market to buy some food. With them out, she was able to let her gloomy look visible, for only she and her daughter were in the cottage.
There was a knock on the door. She stopped brushing her daughter's hair. She rose quickly and walked to the door. When she pulled it open, she wasn't quite surprised to see her friends standing there. They had been the only ones she told of her whereabouts. She hadn't told anyone else. They came in and closed the door behind them. She pulled them into a hug and sighed.
"This is all so new."
"I bet it is," Anne said, raising a basket. Katherine smiled thankfully at her friend. How she had known that they needed breakfast we beyond her. She laid the foodstuff out on a table and dished out a portion for each of them.
As they all sat down to have a meal, Anne and Esther exchanged glances. Katherine creased her brows. "What is it? You're not hungry?"
Esther shook her head immediately. "Katherine it's not about the meal. We came here to speak to you."
It was of ill manner to eat while talking, so Katherine pushed her plate aside and faced them. It seemed that what they wished to say was serious. She nodded, waiting for them to speak.
"Your mourning period is over, Katherine."
Katherine nodded. It had ended the day prior. She was well aware. "I am aware of that."
Anne spoke up this time. "Your mourning period is over, yet you have taken to hiding, Katherine. And isn't it also... quite appropriate… that you come out to society. What shall you do?"
"Going out into society isn't an option." Esther sighed. "So much has gone wrong in so little time. I'm so sorry, Katherine."
Katherine didn't want to go back to society. As a matter of fact, she wanted to go very far away from Somerset. Everything there reminded her of her tarnished reputation, the fact that she was in love with Arthur and the fact that he wanted to be wed to another. She would never be able to outlive her past. So long as she moved in the same circle again, she would continue to be reminded of all the things that went wrong in her life. She no longer wanted to be where everyone knew her. She wanted to go far away. Perhaps to London.
"Anne, Esther, you both know everything I've been through in only a year. I have no desire to be out to society. I have no desire to be this week's gossip anymore. To go back is to accept that I will be scorned for all the choices I've made. And... I cannot bear the thought that I would see Arthur again. No. Not after everything that has happened. I can't bring myself to face him."
"We understand, Katherine —"
"Then if you do," Katherine interrupted Anne. "Do not ask of me what you wish to. Do not ask that I return to Somerset. There's nothing left for me there."
There was silence after she spoke. Her friends gazed at her. She hoped they understood what she was saying. She didn't want to go back. There was so much pain in Somerset and she wanted to move on. Esther pulled her hands from where they were hidden beneath her coat, retrieving a letter. Silently, with her eyes pleading, she stretched it out to Katherine.
"What is this?" she asked. Although she already had a hunch as to what it was. She took it from Esther. There was no seal on it, neither was there a simple signature as to whom it was from. But she knew. She just knew that it was him. She swallowed back tears.
She had hoped that he would reach out to her. That he would say something. That he would look for her, and that he would find her. Instead, he had sent her a letter. She was infuriated. She tossed the letter on the table and looked at her friends sharply.
"Perhaps you should return this to whom you received it from."
"Katherine... " Anne sighed. "It is best you open it before tossing it aside."
Katherine shook her head indignantly and titled her chin upwards. "Did he come to you both?"
"He wishes to see you, Katherine. He has a lot to say. Perhaps it is best you read the letter —"
"I don't wish to speak to him. I don't want to read any letter from him. Especially not one for apology or explanations."
Esther took Katherine's hand in hers and patted it. "This is no letter of apology, my friend. Lord Bowmount wishes for your anger to be quenched and for your heart to be ready when you see him."
Defeated by her friend's words, Katherine picked up the letter and unfolded it. She did not do this slowly, because after what Esther had said, she saw that her wish may come to pass. Her friend was giving her hope.
"Dear beloved," his letter began. Her heart melted. He called her beloved. Did that mean...? "I know what was said to you about my supposed involvement with a Lady named Mary. It is all a lie. Truly, I had been engaged to her and wished to wed her, but that was a long time ago. Before I became Lord Bowmount. Before I was even called to Bowmount Hall. Before I met you. Ever since I met you, I have been in no form of contact with the Lady. I promise you, Lady Bowmount, that it has only been you. Although Mary came to visit, and wished that we rekindle a fire that is long dead, I refused to do so. And I gave her my reason. It is because my heart has been taken by another— you."
The letter ended there. Katherine looked up with tears in her eyes. Her friends were smiling at her. Katherine covered her mouth and laughed even as her eyes glistened. She was overjoyed b
y the letter. But, where was he? She looked at her friends. "I must go to him. I have made a grave mistake of not speaking to him before. I must see him."
"There would be no need to go anywhere," Esther laughed. "Lord Bowmount?"
The cottage door swung open. A disheveled looking Lord Bowmount walked in. Katherine blinked back tears.
Victoria, who had been quietly eating all along, arose and rushed to him. "Lord Bowmount!"
He bent down and kissed her cheek. "Darling Victoria. I have missed you so."
Anne and Esther arose. They beckoned to Victoria. "Perhaps you would be pleased to show us your new room, Victoria?"
Victoria looked to her mother for permission. Katherine nodded. "Of course, darling, you may."
They all walked out of the living room, leaving Katherine and Arthur. Arthur rushed to her the moment the door clicked shut and pulled her into a hug. "I thought you were lost to me. Never leave me again, Katherine. You are the love of my life."
