His attention moved back to her and he smiled. “Since I was very young. As you know, your father was our Pastor’s son, but he didn’t always follow the straight and narrow path as his father had wanted. Although Henry is more disciplined now, there were many days both of us received a good scolding from our mothers.”
“When did you meet my mother?”
For a moment, Catherine detected a solemn look in his light blue eyes, his mouth turned down in a frown. As quickly as it came, it disappeared and he smiled. “I met your mother when I was in my fifteenth year.”
“How did you meet her?”
“She was the daughter of a farmer. Sophia didn’t come from a noble family. Your father actually met her first, and then he brought her to meet me, here at this very spot.” His gaze lifted to the sky.
“Tell me more,” Catherine urged.
He chuckled, turning his attention back to her. “You are full of questions today.”
She shrugged. “I have always known you and my parents were friends, but they rarely talked about their youth.”
His smile softened the longer he held her stare and unease began to take root inside her. She glanced at Emily. Would her maid be of assistance if Catherine needed her? But would Grant do anything improper with her maid so close?
“You know,” he said, reaching out to stroke her cheek, “you resemble your mother quite a bit.”
She nodded, hands clasped tight against her stomach.
“Your mother was just as beautiful in her younger years.” He dropped his hand. “You have taken after her quite a bit that sometimes I think I’m looking at her when she was your age.”
Exactly what I expected, Catherine inwardly seethed. “Your words are most kind, Grant.”
He remained silent as he kept his narrowed gaze on her. His attention roamed over her, from the top of her head, over her eyes and nose, coming to rest on her mouth. She tightened her hands around the reins, praying he wasn’t thinking of kissing her. She wouldn’t be able to handle that right now.
“Catherine, my dear, you will make a perfect duchess.”
She took a deep inhale before answering, “I thank you, again, but I fear I will not know the first thing about being a duchess.”
“Oh, I assure you, you will know what to do when the time arrives.”
Nodding, she forced herself to smile, all the while trying to calm the turbulent wave rolling in her stomach. She never wanted that time to arrive. As before, fright consumed her, making her want to run far away.
The discussion she’d had with Nick popped in her mind, reassuring her Grant was an understanding man. If she’d open up her feelings to him, would he truly understand? But she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
His hand moved behind her and he stroked her hair. The faraway look in his eyes bothered her and she wanted to slap his hand away.
“Oh, Sophia,” he muttered.
She jerked away from him, and at the same time she pulled on the reins. The horses skirted in a half-circle, neighing out a protest. Suddenly, they lurched, and she slid on the seat, bumping into Grant. Emily ran over and grabbed the bridle of one horse, trying to keep it from running. She cooed the animals until they stilled.
Grant fell against Catherine and the pallor of his face caught her attention. A deathly gray colored his skin and his eyes rolled back in his head. Against her, he was dead weight and his head rolled across her shoulder and chest, onto her lap.
“Grant?” Her voice came out unsteady. She shook his shoulders, but he lay very still. “Grant,” she screamed, but he made no sound.
Emily ran to her with wide eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” I killed him. She quickly pushed him off her lap. Bending over him, she placed her ear to his chest, praying she’d hear a heartbeat. She detected a very weak pound. He might not live much longer. She had to get him back home.
Jumping out of the open carriage, she hurried to the horses. “Emily, help me untie this.” She’d ridden bareback before, although it was many years ago. Once they had the animal untied, she pulled herself on his back. “Stay with the duke. I’m riding to the house to get help.”
Kicking her heels into his flanks, she pushed the animal to a run. She arrived at the house within minutes.
“Nick,” she yelled as she jumped down from the horse. She ran toward the front door. As she reached it, Nick pulled it open.
“Nick. Oh, Nick.” She sobbed with relief as she grasped hold of his shirt at his chest.
Nick’s body stiffened. “Catherine? What’s happened? Where’s my uncle?”
“Oh, Nick. I don’t know what happened. The horses were out of control...then he lost consciousness.” She let go of his shirt and grabbed his hands. “Come. You have to help. Quick, get your horse and follow me.”
He ran to the stable and within minutes was atop his horse. Catherine mounted and led the way to the spot where his uncle lay slumped in the vehicle. Once the buggy was in view, Nick raced ahead and reached the duke before she did. He stopped his horse and jumped off, then rushed to Grant.
Nick pressed his ear to his uncle’s chest. Several seconds passed when all she heard were her own uncontrolled breaths. Finally, Nick left Grant’s side and harnessed his horse to the carriage.
“Catherine?” he yelled over his shoulder. “You and Emily ride back home and send someone to fetch the doctor.”
With her own heart beating wildly, she helped her maid mount behind her, then turned the horse and bolted back to the house.
* * * *
Taking great care to push his uncle on the seat, Nick moved in beside him. Once he was able to adjust Grant’s weight to lean upon him, Nick whipped the reins, urging the horse forward, pushing his stallion as fast as it would run. When he reached home, he gently lifted the older man out and carried him into the house, taking two steps at a time toward the bedroom. Catherine, her maid, and his uncle’s servant stood close to assist. The sheets on the bed had been pulled down.
“Gregg has gone for the doctor,” Catherine told him.
Nick didn’t say a word, but laid his uncle on the mattress. He removed Grant’s over-jacket and loosened his neck-cloth. Catherine stood beside him to help, slipping off Grant’s shoes and stockings.
“What happened?” Nick asked. “What made him lose consciousness?”
“I don’t know for certain. He was telling me about how he met my parents, and the next thing I knew we were talking about marriage.”
Catherine clutched her hands against her chest. It was then that Nick noticed her state of dress. The top button of her riding jacket was undone, and wrinkles creased her front. Now he had an idea why his uncle had an attack. Anger flowed through him like a fast running stream. “How could you?”
Catherine jumped. “What?”
“How can you stand there so innocently, knowing you were the reason my uncle had an attack? Did I not remind you how fragile he was?” He swept his gaze over her wrinkled clothes again.
Tears gathered in her eyes and she slowly shook her head. “Why are you saying this to me? Why would I want him to have an attack? I don’t want him to die.”
“Of course you do. You don’t want to be tied down to an older, sick man, so you tuned on your charm, knowing his heart wouldn’t be able to take it.” He raked his gaze over her again. “Did you let him kiss you as well?”
Tears streamed down her face. “No, Nick. It wasn’t like that. I didn’t—”
“Quiet! I refuse to hear your lies.”
“I’m not lying.”
Turning back to his uncle, he tried ignoring her, but she grabbed hold of his arm. He pierced her with his angry stare.
“Blast it, Nick, will you please believe me? Why would I want him to kiss me when I’m still very afraid of that? Things didn’t happen the way you think.”
“Women like you are all the same.” He shrugged away from her touch and turned back toward his uncle, continuing to undress him. “G
o downstairs and wait for the doctor.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, he witnessed the drooping of her shoulders before she turned and left, her maid following.
Nick remained with his uncle until the doctor came, then he made his way downstairs to wait with the others in the parlor. Although his brothers sat still on the sofa, Nick couldn’t. He paced the floor, clenching and unclenching his hands. Catherine stood in a corner of the room, peering out the window.
How could she do that to his uncle? Earlier this morning he’d thought she was different from other women, but now he knew the truth. She was a schemer and liar, just like the rest of them. To make matters worse, he had reacted to her unkempt attire when she came to get his help. She had looked so beautiful with her hair windswept. It was her rumpled clothes that made her look less than perfect, and he enjoyed that too much. Silently, he cursed his weakened state of mind.
He glanced her way. She’d changed into a prim day dress with high neck collar and long sleeves. Her slightly swollen eyes gave evidence of her worry, her lips pursed in a straight line. She sniffed back a tear, and Gregg jumped up from the sofa and rushed to her side.
Nick rolled his eyes. Such a performer.
Footsteps from the hallway snapped Nick’s attention to the door. The doctor walked into the room. Everybody turned his way, but Nick stepped forward.
The doctor nodded. “His Grace is conscious now, but he’s resting. His sister, Miss Gertrude, is with him. He’s had quite a setback and will probably be bedridden for at least another week before I will allow him any activity. I don’t want any undue stress put upon him. Is that clear? Also, absolutely no excitement.”
Nick’s gaze flew to Catherine. When she looked at him, he narrowed his eyes. She slowly lowered her head as more tears rushed down her cheeks.
Gregg and Ian moved to the doctor, each shaking his hand. “Thank you. We appreciate your time.”
“Here’s a sleeping solution that might help, although I’m certain because of your uncle’s weakened condition, the medicine will not be needed.”
Nick strode over to the doctor and shook his hand. “Thank you. Not to worry, we shall follow your instructions thoroughly.”
Gregg and Ian walked with the doctor outside of the room. Catherine moved to follow, but Nick stopped her, stepping in front of her as he closed the door. When her gaze flew to his, he scowled.
“We will follow the doctor’s advice. I will make certain you don’t excite my uncle in any way.”
She lifted her chin and faced him with her back straight. “Yes, I shall follow the doctor’s instructions precisely. Although you seem to think this is all my fault, it’s not and I shall do everything I can to help Grant recover from this setback.” She glared at him. “Now, please remove yourself from my way so I can pass.”
Her stubborn courage impressed him. Almost. Women usually didn’t dare stand up to him with fire in their eyes, let alone, challenge him with their words. He stepped away from the door and swept his hand in front of him. “Go right ahead. I’m through with you for now.”
“Thank you.” She opened the door and with a stiff back and her head held high, marched out of the room.
* * * *
For the rest of the evening, Catherine stayed with Miss Gertrude by Grant’s side – against the wishes of Mrs. Berkley. He slept peacefully and probably didn’t even know she was there. Yet, she wouldn’t leave. She was out to prove to Nick she cared about Grant’s health. His nurse was there most of the time, doing what she could to help.
Off and on during the evening, Grant opened his eyes and smiled at Catherine, then mumbled her mother’s name. As good fortune would have it, nobody in the room was close enough to hear it during those times, except for Gertrude. That woman wouldn’t hear a cannon exploding if she stood right next to it. Catherine didn’t know how she’d explain to the others why Grant called her Sophia.
Nick stayed in Grant’s room most of the day. Catherine tried ignoring him the best she could, especially when his glare pierced right through to her heart. Each time this happened, her chest tightened a little more, heaviness settling inside.
He was such an inconsiderate mule’s back end. He’d blamed her for causing Grant’s attack, yet wasn’t it Nick who’d asked her to make his uncle happy in the first place? Nick was too bull-headed and stubborn to see past the end of his arrogant nose.
Catherine sat in the cushioned chair next to Grant’s bed as she sewed one of her samplers. In the chair next to her, Gertrude held a book but did no readings since her gray head tilted back and her lips parted and her eyes were closed. Soft snores escaped her mouth. The room had been quiet for the longest time, so when Nick’s voice boomed loudly, it made her jump. Gertrude continued to snore.
“Catherine, it’s getting late. I think you should go to bed now. You need your rest.”
Keeping a hardened expression on her face, she stubbornly lifted her chin. “I’m not tired. If you are, you are more than welcome to leave. You need not stay with me.”
“Catherine,” he warned, his voice turning harsh as he moved across the room toward her. “You are acting childish, and you need to learn when to obey authority.”
She raised one of her eyebrows and threw his words back in his face. “Obey authority? From you?”
“Yes, me.”
She looked back at her sampler. “I think not.”
“What?” His voice rose higher.
“You heard what I said. I shouldn’t have to repeat myself. I think the only deaf person in this room is Miss Gertrude.”
“Listen, Miss Martin,” he began sharply, but mumbling came from Grant and stopped him.
Both Nick and Catherine rushed to the bed as Grant stirred. He opened his eyes and looked from Nick to her. “My loving Catherine and my devoted nephew are still by my side? Why is this? Do you not have anything better to do?”
“Of course not, Uncle Grant.” Nick walked around the other side of the bed and sat on the edge. He held his hand. “We enjoy being here and looking after you.”
Catherine sat across from Nick and held Grant’s other hand. “Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, I’m fine,” Grant whispered. His eyes moved over Catherine. “So, my dear, what are you planning on purchasing during your shopping trip tomorrow?”
“Oh, Grant, you cannot expect me to go when you are like this. I will not do it.”
Grant squeezed her hand. “I want you to go, my dear. You’re too young and too full of life to be nursing me.”
“Grant, no—”
“Catherine?” He cut her off. “Do you not want to make me happy?”
“Yes, of course I do.” Although she kept her eyes on the weak man in bed, Nick’s heated gaze burned holes through her.
“Then go shopping tomorrow. That will make me happy.” Grant glanced at Nick. “Make certain this beautiful woman is kept happy. Will you do that for me?” he pleaded, then moved Nick’s hand and placed it over the top of Catherine’s.
“Yes,” Nick answered softly. “I shall see to her comfort.”
Grant’s eyes slowly closed. “Thank you,” he whispered before drifting back to sleep.
Catherine dared to glance at Nick, and just as she expected, his glare made her cringe. Nick quickly removed his hand as if he’d been touching hot coals. She casually returned to her chair and picked up her sampler as if nothing happened, although the heaviness in her heart spoke differently.
* * * *
Nick paced the carpeted floor, throwing fixed stares her way, trying to shoot invisible daggers into her soul. His life had been quite normal until this little she-devil entered. He wished he’d never laid eyes on her or heard her name. She was nothing but trouble from the very beginning, and looking at her now sitting so prim and proper in her chair, acting like he wasn’t bothering her, made him even more upset. She acted as if he’d been erased from her mind all together. Well, he’d make certain he left an imprint there to last a lifetim
e.
He stopped in front of her chair, and bent, his hands grasping each arm rest, blocking her with his body. Her gaze jumped up and met his as she sank against the cushions. He leaned his face mere inches in front of hers. The sweet fragrance of roses wafted around him, and her warm breath smelled like mint leaves.
“Let me warn you now I will not play nanny to you tomorrow.” He kept his voice low for his uncle’s sake, also knowing Gertrude wouldn’t hear. “I will take you to town and I will bring you home, but I refuse to be your guardian and watch over you like a spoiled child.”
Her eyes narrowed and she straightened her spine, which brought her face even closer to his. A fierce rhythm hammered in his chest from her nearness.
“I promise,” she said slowly, “you won’t have to watch over me like an infant. In fact, I’m vastly relieved you are not going to be near my side for the whole day because then I’m assured a pleasant outing.”
She did it again. She actually stood her ground and didn’t crumble in front of him. He almost admired her for that strength. Almost.
“Good, so then we are in agreement about our plans?”
“Indeed, we are.”
He tried to stare her down, but she remained stubborn. The longer he stared into her blue eyes, the more he was drawn to her. He lowered his gaze to her stiff lips. Within seconds, her heart-shaped mouth relaxed, her lips parting.
When he looked back into her eyes, their color was softer, and prettier. His anger dissolved. Once again, confusion clouded his thoughts. He must stay angry or else her beauty might thwart him again.
Grumbling, he pulled away and left the room.
* * * *
With a stretch and a yawn, Catherine awoke with the sun, but once she finally gained her bearings, she glanced around the room. How did I get in bed? She’d fallen asleep in her chair as she sewed, and vaguely remembered being picked up into somebody’s strong arms and taken to her room. By whom, she didn’t know. She didn’t even remember Emily helping her undress for bed, but she knew her maid had.
Dismissing her confusion, she arose and started her toiletries. Emily had a bath ready, and Catherine hurried through her wash and climbed out. She didn’t want to relax in her activities this morning. She needed to get this day over with as fast as she could.
Love Me Always Page 8
