Tides of Charleston 2 Book Box-Set

by Jerri Hines

  She inched up, watching to see if that horrible woman opened her eye, but she made no movement. Cathryn eased over to the door, slightly turning the handle. Her eyes never left the woman in the bed. She didn’t bother to close the door, but tip-toed down the hall until she reached the staircase.

  She dashed down the stairs and out the front entrance. She had nowhere to run. She knew only she had to leave the house. She was trapped. The hope of Jake rescuing her from this lunacy surrounding her was diminishing as quickly as the sun setting.

  Her run slowed to a walk. She took the path to the stables. Maybe she could steal a horse and make a break for it, but she couldn’t leave Tacy and Mary in the hands of that madman.

  She walked into the stables. The stable boys looked up, but said nothing. She walked through, looking within each stall, petting the horses as she walked, coming to one at the end. A young stable boy and an elderly stable hand looked concerned as they held up the front leg of a beautiful chestnut stallion.

  “We may have to put him down. Don’t know what else we can do for him.”

  “What is the matter?” Cathryn asked, walking up to the stable hands. She gently rubbed the face of the horse, a beautiful steed standing sixteen hands high, a fine physical specimen except he was limping.

  “My lady,” the elder backed up, “the horse is injured. The front hoof is infected. We have been treating it, but it seems to have spread.”

  “Do you mind if I look?”

  Thinking nothing of the time, Cathryn nursed the horse. She had sent for herbs that she had used on the plantation, ones that Juriah had shown her. She wrapped the hoof up. “It’ll take time. I know you realize the importance of keeping him upon his legs. It may not hurt to have him eat...”

  “Cathryn!”

  Cathryn froze. Frightened to turn around, she released the horse’s hoof in an effort to gather her composure. Instantaneously, she felt Lyttleton grasp hold of her arm and in an abrupt motion turned her to him.

  One look and she feared for her life. His face burned red; his eyes blared forth, oozing forth an anger toward her that sent chills down her spine. He needed nothing else to convey his vexation.

  From the corner of her eyes she saw the men disperse, leaving her alone with the enraged man. The fear that gripped her turned to terror. She pushed against him to free herself. A useless gesture.

  “Pray let go of me, my lord. I have done nothing. I was only nursing this horse...”

  Without a word, he dragged her out of the stall. She tried in desperation to halt his progress, but she was no match for his strength.

  “Lord Lyttleton, stop. You’re hurting me!”

  “Did I not leave you with Mother? Were you not supposed to stay within her room until I came back to collect you?”

  “Are you mad? I waited. You didn’t return. I was only sitting and waiting. What was the harm to come and find me when she awakened?”

  “Because I told you to stay!” he seethed. “Have I not warned you, Cathryn? I will not be disobeyed!”

  She wrenched her arm free. Stumbling backwards, she caught herself, but made no move to flee. Her fear forgotten at least for the moment, she met his wrath with her own.

  “No, you thought I had left. Did you not? You thought I took off. Why? I know. Because you kidnapped me! Do you not think if I ever get an opportunity, I will take it? You know as well as I, I will; no matter if you find a way to force me to marry you. You know I will leave you, and you won’t ever have a moment’s peace for it will always eat within you. Knowing I hate you.”

  He struck her hard. She fell back against the wall, hitting her head. She reached up to her mouth. Pulling back her hand, she looked in horror at the blood seeping off her fingers from her lip.

  “Get up now, Cathryn! Now!”

  “No, you won’t hit me again,” she screamed. “You coward! Is that how you think I’ll submit to you? For I will never. I will die first!”

  “We shall see what you think you can handle,” he said and sneered. His footsteps toward her sent her stumbling backwards. She tripped, falling onto the dirt and straw. Scrambling upward, she tried frantically to find her feet, but with one swift movement he seized her. She screamed.

  “Go ahead. Scream all you want. No one is here, Cathryn, to save you from me now. You are wrong, Cathryn. I promised you I would teach you. It is no different than breaking a horse. You will learn.”

  “You will pay, my lord. Make no doubt about it.”

  “Who will do so? Some bastard brother of your father’s or your lieutenant who now believes you have gone back to the Colonies? Poor Jake always on the losing hand. Pitiful fool.”

  “Fool?” Anger emerged within Cathryn taking from her her reason. She spat words at him to only enrage him more. “He’s more of a man than you will ever be. Ask me how I know. Ask me! Where do you think I was the night I disappeared from the ball? I met with Jake and we spent the whole of the night together. The whole of the night. Do you not think it would be funny if we married and I had his child which would be your heir? Tell me now, my lord, who is the pitiful fool.”

  She succeeded. The words hit their mark. Lyttleton slung her harshly against the stable wall. Again she fell onto the ground. The dusk spewed up in her face, blinding her only momentarily. Ignoring her throbbing body, she wiped back the dust from her eyes. She didn’t notice Lyttleton reach up for a whip, nor did she see him fling the weapon back, but she felt the first strike against her back and the next. She screamed. She didn’t stop.

  * * * *

  Pain seared throughout her body. She tried to move, but found herself unable to do so. An urgency to move swept through her. He would strike her again. With every effort she could make, she pushed her hands up against the ground. Her eyes tried desperately to focus. All seemed in a fog, but she began to make out forms.

  A body...Lord Lyttleton lay motionless on the ground near her. His eyes frozen in disbelief. Blood...so much blood...puddled around his lifeless body.

  Bouncing light emerged out of the darkness. Voices...so many voices, but in the light she made out a form...a young girl...Mary? She stood so still like a statue covered in blood holding a knife which still dripped. It was the last Cathryn remembered before darkness claimed her.

  Chapter 8

  Voices surrounded Cathryn. Confusion and bewilderment reigned within her. An endless series of dreams consumed her. She was back at Elm Bluff running, laughing down along the river bank. She turned to find herself on a ship searching for Jake. She wanted Jake. Running out of her cabin, she discovered herself in her room at her grandfather’s townhouse. She was in her room trying to hide. She needed to hide. Then a voice called out in the darkness. Cathryn...Cathryn.

  She awoke in a sweat. Frightened. Where was she? She lay in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. Alone. Gathering her wits, she ignored a surge of pain sweeping through her body and sat up.

  The room was grand. It had high ceilings; the walls were paneled. Sunlight filtered through the thick glass of the windows. The floor sloped a little and mats covered the boards. Heavy gray velvet curtains hung over the windows. There was a court cupboard which looked solid and ancient with an oak chest on which stood a Chinese bowl. On a dressing table with numerous drawers was a sling-back mirror.

  Where was she? She tried to ease off the bed, but the pain impeded her progress. Her back...her back felt on fire. Memories flooded her. She remembered. For a moment she lay back on her stomach. She remembered everything. Panic took hold. She had to find Jake...

  Disregarding the hurt each movement made, she climbed out of the large four-post bed. Taking tiny steps, she stumbled over to the dressing table. Gripping tight the edge, she glanced up into the mirror. Pale, she looked so pale and her eyes seemed enormous. She stood in a sleeping gown she deemed far too large for her, but it was the stains on the back that caught her eye. Red, dark stains. Blood? The whip?

  Hysteria settled in her. She had to find Jake. She reached the w
indow. Her room overlooked gardens, magnificent, beautiful flowers, and lawn. She wasn’t at Hestershire. She didn’t know where she was.

  Where was she? Her heart skipped a beat. Her legs weakened and she grabbed for a hold, knocking off a vase, sending it crashing down upon the floor. It broke into a million pieces. Her legs gave way and she ended up on the floor, sobbing. A moment later she heard rustling of feet within her room.

  “Miss Blankenship!”

  Hands lifted her up. She didn’t recognize anyone.

  “Please, don’t touch me!” Cathryn screamed and recoiled into the corner. She tucked her head down into her knees. She heard heavier footsteps shake upon the floor. The pain seemed overbearing. She felt she couldn’t breathe.

  “Cathryn, it is Philip. Please let me help you back to the bed. You don’t need to be out of the bed. You’re sick. Let me help,” he said gently.

  Her hands frantically reached for him. She grasped tightly to his hands.

  “I’m not at Hestershire,” she uttered imperceptibly.

  “No, no, Cathryn. You are safe and within my estate. It was the closest we felt we could move you. Mother is here,” he said in a warm soothing voice. “Lyttleton will never hurt you again.”

  “Jake? Where is Jake?” Her tears flowed, unending. “I want Jake.”

  “Jake brought you here, Cathryn. When we found you, he carried you away from that place. He’ll be back soon. He had to handle a few issues that you shouldn’t be concerned with at this time.”

  “Mary?”

  Philip lifted her carefully so as not to hurt her. “Don’t worry. It is hoped Jake will bring her back with him. Your maid is with Jake at the moment.”

  “Where? Where are they?”

  “At the inquest,” Philip answered hesitantly. A maid pushed back the covers, allowing Philip to lay Cathryn back upon the bed. He laid her on her side. Pain seared through her, but she said nothing. He took her hand. She squeezed his hand tightly. “Sleep, now, Cathryn. I won’t leave you.”

  * * * *

  Cathryn awoke. She didn’t know how long she had slept. The pain had eased, but remained a steady throbbing. She lifted her head. She could make out a figure that stood by the window, holding tight to the curtain. Darkness had fallen.

  “Jake?”

  He was here! He rushed to her side. “I’m here, Cathryn. Forgive me, Cathryn. Forgive me.”

  Pain lived in his eyes. She reached for him. “There’s nothing to forgive. You are here,” she said and closed her eyes once more.

  * * * *

  Jake didn’t leave her side. Tacy returned with Mary, easing Cathryn’s mind. Time, they told her, would heal her wounds. Physically, perhaps, she thought, but the hurt from within would take more than time.

  Again, Tacy relayed the tale when no other would dare. “It was Mary who saved you. She saw Lord Lyttleton race down to the stables in a rage when he discovered that was where you had gone. He thought you had escaped. Mary knew. She saw it in his eyes, you know. She has seen it before. The child...that monster that hurt her...she saw the same in Lord Lyttleton.”

  “Is she okay, Tacy?”

  “It will take time as it will with you, Miss Cathryn. Oh, my, your back. The damage he inflicted. If Mary hadn’t done what she did, you wouldn’t be here,” Tacy cried.

  “That is enough, Tacy,” Jake ordered, overhearing the conversation. “Miss Cathryn needs to rest and not to worry.”

  “I will only worry if I don’t know, Jake,” Cathryn said. “Mary will be fine. Will she not? She saved me.”

  “At the moment, she is within my custody. They have not set charges against her, but wait to gather all the evidence. I believe that they don’t want any more publicity than has occurred. At the moment, they are investigating. At least she is not in prison or worse.”

  “Prison or worse? Why? He would have killed me, Jake,” she cried, becoming hysterical upon the thought. “Do I need to testify? I will not hesitate.”

  “No, Cathryn. You don’t need to testify. It will only do more harm than good at this point.”

  “What is wrong, Jake? Why are you acting this way? Have I done something to offend you?” Cathryn asked. Concern echoed in her voice for his manner had changed. “Do you not want me to testify? Why?”

  “It’s not for discussion now. You need to be concerned with only getting well, my dear.”

  Cathryn stared at Jake. Something was wrong. He wasn’t the same. Distant. Aloof. Gone were the words of endearment...of never ending love. The only words she heard were ones of apologies, over and over again. Her Grace cautioned her that it would take time to heal for everyone involved.

  “Men like Jake take responsibility for everyone around them. He feels he should have seen the possibility. That he didn’t react in time...that he wasn’t the one to run Lyttleton through with the knife,” the Duchess said, attempting to explain Jake’s manner.

  Oh, how she wished she had the confidence of Her Grace, but try as she might she couldn’t escape the feeling there was more to Jake’s mood. She feared he had stopped loving her.

  * * * *

  Time passed. Cathryn slowly regained her health. The outward scars had healed and she had become restless. Questions arose that no one seemed willing to answer. A tinge of dread overcame her when Tacy wouldn’t discuss it with her.

  Determined, Cathryn cornered the Duchess one afternoon at tea. The lovely lady had so graciously traveled back and forth from London to see to her care. “Tell me, Your Grace, if you would. Why have you been so kind to me?”

  “Why would I not be? You will be married to Jake soon and he is as dear to me as Philip.”

  “You talk as if we are to marry. Yet, Jake hasn’t said one word to me about any arrangement. He doesn’t talk to me. He sits and stares. Biding his time until he can once more leave. Tacy tells me nothing. Poor Mary is walking around as if in a trance. You and Philip are the only ones to talk with me. Moreover, you both should be planning his wedding and enjoying such. Yet you both come,” Cathryn said. Her voice rose as did her emotions. “I haven’t even heard from my grandparents. Not once have they asked about my care. What is going on? Have I done something to offend anyone?”

  “Of course not, my child,” the Duchess responded with compassion. “The whole of the situation is despicable. That you must be aware, I am sure.”

  The Duchess gave pause for a moment. “Cathryn, perhaps, I should be honest with you. You deserve the truth. Jake didn’t want anyone to mention it, but you have a right to understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  A heavy sigh escaped Her Grace. “Many feel your reputation has been tarnished, my dear. Please, don’t get upset. It is no fault of your own, but the circumstances and what Lord Lyttleton tried to pull off. Even if one takes the truth as it is, you were with him in a situation which leads people to believe certain things may have happened. No matter if you had no control of it or not. For many it would have been better if he had married you.”

  Cathryn sat speechless. Comprehension sank deep within her. “My grandparents? They have abandoned me?”

  “It would seem so. In all probability, it is an attempt to save Reggie from his responsibility in the whole affair. The Earl has defended his son and said Mary was responsible for Lord Lyttleton’s death. That it was her and not Lyttleton who assaulted you. That she is mad. Jake has fought that assumption in court. The judge wanted to wait until you healed to get your side of the story. That is why Mary is here. The poor child, to save one and then have people accuse you so.”

  “Why have you let me stay here then, Your Grace?”

  “Because,” she said and smiled, “I’m in a better position to tell people what they can do with their stupid ideas. To treat a poor victim as if she is the criminal, it is beyond belief.”

  “I appreciate your kindness,” Cathryn said. “I understand better. Do you know if I still have my inheritance? They couldn’t have taken that from me. Could they?”

&n
bsp; “Of course not, child. It is yours. Why do you ask?”

  “Because I’m not going to sit back,” Cathryn replied with a fire lit within her eyes. “I’m going to fight back.”

  * * * *

  The solicitor arrived less than a week after Cathryn sent for him. Walter Hamilton wasn’t a man who would call attention to himself. Quiet with thick glasses, he walked hunched over slightly, but Cathryn understood from Philip the man had an excellent reputation and seemed to have come well prepared as she requested.

  “You have everything?” Cathryn asked the man after he was escorted into the drawing room. She wasted no time in formalities. “I have a need to know exactly where I stand. Given all that has happened to me as of late, I hope you understand the necessity.”

  “Of course, Miss Blankenship,” he replied. “Are you sure you don’t want anyone with you? It may help you understand. It is not often a young lady requests business papers. I have been your father’s solicitor even before he left England. I was sorry to hear of his passing.”

  “I appreciate your sympathy, Mr. Hamilton, but I have a greater need to understand my position fully. I have lived with only the knowledge that I have been well provided for by my father.”

  “Let’s get started then, Miss Blankenship.”

  Cathryn studied the papers before her. She wished Sumner was here to help her decipher them, but soon she found she had gotten the gist of it. She would ask Jake to look over it, she thought. Mr. Hamilton waited with patience while Cathryn asked one question after another.

  “This will take time for me to understand the whole of the holdings, but what of Hestershire? Is it mine?” Cathryn asked, glancing up from the papers.

  “Yes, it is. It was your father’s. Miss Blankenship, you’re a very wealthy young lady, more so than most are probably aware, but with the death of your father much has been called into question. Not about your inheritance, but your guardianship,” Mr. Hamilton stated. “I was going to make you aware that your grandfather has requested to be instated as your legal guardian.”