Love Me Always

by Marie Higgins

  Sitting in the chair he’d fallen asleep in before, rested the man her heart would never stop loving. And just as the last time he’d been there, his head was tilted back, his mouth parted as heavy breaths came out.

  On unsteady legs, she weaved her way through the room toward him. Kneeling beside him, she touched his thigh. “Nick?”

  He jumped to a sitting position, his eyes blinking in a fast rhythm. Finally, his attention stopped on her and he smiled. “My darling, Kitty.” He stroked her cheek.

  She cuddled against his palm. Pain shot through her and she flinched.

  He pulled back, his gaze dropping to her cheek. “What happened to you?” He swiped his finger across her cheekbone more tender this time.

  Another sting burned her skin. “Ouch.” She touched the area that hurt, and her fingers breezed over a lump.

  “What happened?” he repeated.

  “I...I don’t know.”

  He circled his arms around her and pulled her up on his lap. “You look as if someone has hit you.”

  She laughed lightly, confusion swimming in her head. “If they did, I don’t remember.” She took his hand, brought it up to her mouth and kissed his knuckles. “It’s nothing, I assure you.” She smiled. “Nick? Why are you here?”

  He smiled. “I’ve missed you and couldn’t wait a moment longer to see you.” He nodded toward the bed. “Unfortunately, when I arrived, you were asleep.”

  The ache in her heart eased. She stroked the side of his face. “I’m happy to see you. And I have missed you as well.”

  “Then show me.”

  She didn’t have to wait for him to tell her what he’d meant, because he pulled her face down to his. Their lips met, and at first she cringed because of the shooting pain from the contact. Whatever she’d done to her body, it wasn’t letting her enjoy. But soon Nick’s gentle strokes and loving kiss made the pain disappear.

  Clinging to his shirt, she answered his kisses, letting him know how much she loved him. Oh, how she’d wanted this. Needed this. Craved it for too long.

  “Nick,” she sighed, sinking against him, winding her arms around his neck.

  His kisses drugged her...either that or the fuzziness still clogged her head. “Oh, Nick. Am I dreaming?”

  With his hands holding her head, he pulled away slightly. Since the shadows wouldn’t let her see the color of his eyes, so she gazed at his lips. They stretched wider.

  “I certainly don’t wish that torture on either of us. I hope this isn’t a dream, for I want nothing more than to hold you at this moment.”

  Sighing, she leaned in for another of his earth-shattering kisses, but a loud commotion echoed through the hall outside her room. Nick stilled, as did she. Within moments, the noise became recognizable. Raised voices floated through the house, sounding panicked.

  “What is going on?” Nick lifted her from his lap and stood.

  Her body swayed and she grabbed for the back of the chair, praying she would soon gain her strength. Had Nick’s kisses sapped what little she had? Yet this feeling wasn’t what usually happened while kissing Nick. “It sounds like a mob of people downstairs.”

  “It certainly does. Whatever is going on, it doesn’t sound good.”

  He marched to the door and opened it, peeked both ways before hurrying out. She smiled, loving how he was still being cautious.

  Taking a couple of cleansing breaths, she walked as best she could to the opened door. Voices were louder now, but still high-pitched. On shaky legs, and with a hammering heartbeat, she pushed herself toward the staircase. Below stood Nick and his brothers, Gertrude, and two laundry maids. The elderly aunt had her arm around one of the maids. Both maids were crying hysterically.

  Nick clasped the hands of one of them. “Please, Sara. I cannot understand you. You must calm yourself.”

  The maid shook her head, her eyes wide and filled with tears. “Your Grace...somethin’ terrible has happened.”

  He nodded. “What has happened?”

  Sara wiped her wet cheeks. “It’s...Colonel Martin. He’s been beaten. It happened earlier this evening, but he’s still alive. He’s been mumbling constantly, whether from pain or delusion. We need to send for the doctor, quickly.”

  Catherine’s heartbeat took on a different rhythm. Panic flowed through her, as did worry for a parent who’d been upsetting her lately. Who would do such a thing?

  Nick shook his head. “Indeed we will send for a doctor posthaste, Sara. Can you tell us what happened? Do you – or the colonel know who could have done this?”

  She released a few more sobs as she met the frightened stare of the other maid for a brief second, then both servants turned their attention toward Catherine. Sara nodded, keeping hold of Catherine’s gaze.

  “Yes, Your Grace. I think...we think it was the colonels’ daughter, Miss Catherine.”

  Catherine gasped loudly and covered her mouth with her hand. All heads turned up to her. No! They must be mistaken. She wouldn’t... How could she? Then again, she didn’t remember doing anything earlier this evening. In fact...most of the afternoon had been a complete blur. The fog in her mind told her something wasn’t quite right.

  She looked at Nick, silently begging for help. Pain etched his eyes, and lines of confusion creased his forehead.

  Ian growled and fisted his hands. “That’s enough! I’ll have no more of this. Nick, something has to be done about her before she kills one of us.”

  Nick’s head swung toward his brother, his cold gaze piercing him. “This is not the time, Ian.”

  “This is the perfect time.” He looked back up at Catherine and pointed. “There stands the culprit. She’s not in her right mind and it’s time to get the authorities involved.”

  Her breath caught in her throat and her heart ceased beating. Energy drained from her head, going all through her body to her toes. Dizziness finished filling her mind. As her body fell to the ground, her vision turned black.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Slowly, the fog in Catherine’s mind cleared and sounds around her became familiar. Her body continued to ache as if she’d been pushed down the stairs and trampled. She struggled with trying to remember what had happened. In a rush, everything came back to her. The maid. Someone beating her father. And Ian accusing her of doing something absolutely horrid.

  She blinked her eyes open. Faces around her came into view. Nick held her against his chest, rocking her as he dabbed her face with a cold cloth.

  “Catherine? Are you all right?”

  She raised her shaky hand and pressed fingers against her throbbing temple. “I think so. What happened?”

  “You swooned and hit your head on the railing.”

  Studying his face, she recognized doubt. Although he tried to peer at her with loving care, she could tell he doubted his own feelings. Then again, she didn’t understand anything herself. Had she beaten her father? Nothing made sense anymore.

  Loud voices came from downstairs again, this time from men. “There she is, up there in my brother’s arms.” Ian’s tone clipped harshly.

  She pulled her focus from Nick to the men rushing up the stairs. The police. Her heart dropped. Were they really going to arrest her? What proof did they have that she was the culprit Ian had accused?

  Nick’s arms tightened around her, and she cherished his protection. How long would it last?

  “Miss Catherine?” The first man of the law stood in front of her, softly whacking his club against his leg. “Would you please accompany us outside so we may ask you questions?”

  A growl came from Nick and he pulled her further away from them. “You cannot be serious. Look at her! Does she appear like she’s strong enough? She’s just received a head injury.”

  The first man traded glances with one of the other men then gave him a nod. He met Catherine’s stare again. “Very well, but we need to ask you some questions.”

  Booming footsteps clamored on the stairs. She lifted her gaze in time to see Gregg
rushing toward her. The men of the law stopped him.

  “You’re making a terrible mistake,” he shouted. “She is innocent of these accusations, I tell you.” Gregg faced one of the police, lifting his chin as he straightened his shoulders. “I demand you let her go.”

  The man shook his head. “Forgive me, but we need to ask her some questions first.”

  Nick stroked her hair, and she turned her focus to his. Slowly, her heart crumbled. The look of his face let her know he was as confused as she.

  “Darling? Can I take you back to your room and have them talk to you?”

  She nodded as tears pricked her eyes.

  He stood and helped her to stand and Gregg scrambled to take her other arm. Her head pounded and dizziness tried to consume her vision again, but she took her time in moving back into the room where the Fielding brothers sat her on the cushioned chair. When the policemen came inside, Nick stepped to the door and peeked out into the hall.

  “Mrs. Berkley? Please come inside and assist us.”

  The older woman hustled in, her face tight, lips pinched. Catherine’s heart sank. She doesn’t believe in my innocence, either.

  Nick hurried back to Catherine’s side and held her shaky hand. Before the lawmen could say anything, Ian appeared at the door.

  “Your Grace?” Ian sneered. “I believe you have another injured guest you need to see to at this moment.” He arched a critical brow. “Mrs. Berkley will be just fine with Miss Catherine.”

  She glanced up and gave Nick a weak smile. “I’ll be fine. Please see to the care of my father.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes. I’m sure he needs help more than I do.”

  He bent and kissed her cheek. “Gregg, would you come with me?”

  “But...Catherine needs me.”

  She touched his arm before strength left her limb and she dropped it to her side. “Gregg, I shall be fine. I assure you.”

  Gregg nodded, kissed her cheek as his brother had, then with a straight back, left her room with Nick.

  The man of the law who tried to act intimidating while he tapped his truncheon against his leg narrowed his gaze on Catherine. “Where were you earlier this evening?”

  She swallowed hard. “I...I believe I was here in my room.”

  He arched a judgmental brow. “You believe?”

  She nodded. “I don’t remember. When I awoke this evening, my head was in pain and I couldn’t remember what I had done to make it this way.” She ran her fingers over the knot on her cheek. “I haven’t a clue how this happened.”

  “What was the last thing you remembered?”

  Releasing a frustrated sigh, she covered her face with her hand as her fingertips gently massaged her forehead. “I remember the funeral this morning. Afterwards, Mrs. Berkley and I were here in my room packing to leave on the morrow. I left in search for my father.” She hesitated, because this is where her memory became fuzzy. “I think I found him. I vaguely recall talking to him.” She tried to remember more, but her mind drew a blank. She shrugged. “That’s all I remember. When I awoke this evening – not too long ago – I felt disoriented and very light-headed.”

  The other officer took a step forward. “Miss Catherine? Did you by chance drink any spirits today?”

  Her head pounded harder. “Heavens no. I have never touched anything of the sort.”

  “Well, Miss Catherine, you haven’t told us anything of importance.”

  She glared. “Don’t you think I know this?”

  “So for now, we’d like you to stay in your room for the rest of the night. You are under house arrest for the time being while we question the others in the estate.”

  Her stomach twisted. “I understand.”

  After the men left, Mrs. Berkley muttered and excuse about having to check on something in her room before she hurried out, closing the door behind her.

  Coldness seeped in Catherine’s body and she shivered. On shaky legs she moved to the bed and lay down, pulling the wool blanket to her chin. Now she awaited her sentence. Would the authorities find her guilty or innocent?

  Closing her eyes, this evening’s events rushed back to her. Everything had seemed like a dream...a nightmare, actually. Instead of being inside her body, it was as if she floated above everything and watched the horror unfold. More than anything, she’d never forget the panic on Nick’s face...especially the doubt.

  Gregg, on the other hand, had pleaded with the lawmen, trying to convince them of her innocence. Why had Gregg believe her and Nick couldn’t? Her heart cried out to the man she loved that he would rescue her from this hell. But her pleas went unheard as the brass key ground in the lock, imprisoning her in her room after Mrs. Berkley left.

  Tears stung her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. She didn’t kill anyone. How could she do all they had accused her of? Then again...she couldn’t remember. Did that mean she was guilty?

  She pulled her knees to her chest and curled on her bed. Who had beaten her father? They suspected her, but she couldn’t have done it. As a child, she’d been the one on the receiving end of his brutal hand. Her strength would never compare to his.

  Slowly, she drifted in and out of sleep until the sun peeking through the curtains woke her. Realizing she’d been locked in her room all this time without anyone coming to let her know what was happening, her heart crumbled and tears streamed down her face. A sob broke from her throat and she cried hysterically. Her future looked bleak. Nobody could save her now. How could they when she couldn’t recall anything? All she remembered about her mother’s death was the dizziness that had consumed her when she found the woman lying in a pool of blood. The same dizziness had washed over her as she’d awakened from her nap last night.

  Voices in the hallway brought her head up and made her hold her breath. Straining, she listened, but only detected mumbling as the footsteps came closer. As the voices grew, so did the beat of her heart, until they reached her door. She grasped her shaking hands and waited.

  A different lawman opened the door and more light streamed into her room from the hallway. Squinting at the form filling the doorway, she tried to adjust her vision to the sudden brightness. Then he said her name, and her heartbeat picked up rhythm.

  Gregg.

  She jumped from her bed and ran to him. He opened his arm and she barreled into his chest, crying out relief. His arms tightened around her as he buried his face into her neck.

  “Oh, Gregg.” She sniffed. “I didn’t think...I thought you’d never...” She looked up at him. “I didn’t do what they’ve accused me of. You have to believe me.”

  His tender smile eased her slightly and he wiped his thump across her cheek, removing the moisture. “I do believe you. That’s why I’m here.”

  As they walked toward the two-seat sofa, she clung to him, afraid to let go. She didn’t want to think this was all a dream. She wanted to know he did care...and that he believed her. He sat beside her, still holding her tight. Across the room, the guard stood by the opened door, arms folded as he watched her through narrowed eyes.

  Laying her head against Gregg’s chest, her sobs diminished and she breathed easier. “Gregg? Is my father all right?”

  His hand stroked her hair. “Yes. No broken bones, just a few scratches and bruises.”

  “Did...” She swallowed hard. “Did he say what happened?”

  “No. He’s not talking about it.”

  Her chest clenched and her heart ached. “Does...does everyone think I did it?”

  “Not everyone, love.” He kissed her forehead. “Ian does and I cannot understand why. There’s no real proof against you. Even the police can’t find any proof.”

  She tilted her head back and met his gaze. “What about...Nick?”

  Gregg shrugged. “Right now, Nick doesn’t know which end is up. He’s locked himself in his room and refuses to speak to anyone.”

  Tears blurred her vision. “Do...do you think he...believes the awful rumors?”
/>
  He wiped the moisture from her cheeks again. “I think he doesn’t want to, but he’s confused.”

  “But...you are here.”

  He braced his hands on each side of her face. “That’s because I love you.”

  Doesn’t Nick love me, too? Her body shook with silent cries and she buried her face in Gregg’s chest again.

  Nick couldn’t doubt her innocence. He just couldn’t.

  “Shhh...I’m here now. No need to fret.”

  Gregg didn’t understand how much she loved Nick. She wanted Nick to be the one holding her, stroking her hair and calming her fears. The man she loved wasn’t here, and agony twisted in her heart.

  She gulped in some air. “What’s going to happen to me?”

  “We’ll have to wait to see what the constable’s men find. Right now they are questioning our servants. I have hired a solicitor – the best in London – who will help.”

  She nodded and wiped her nose with a handkerchief. “You are a godsend, Gregg.”

  Using his hands, he tilted her head. When she met his gaze, he smiled. “I’ll do anything for you, Cat. I don’t want my future wife to be taken to jail.”

  Her bottom lip trembled. Future wife. She hadn’t agreed to marry him, so why had he assumed? “Gregg, you shouldn’t say such things. You cannot predict the future.”

  “Shhh...” He touched his finger to her lips. “I don’t want you to think anything but positive thoughts. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good girl. Now I need to leave, and when I return, I’ll have that solicitor I told you about. He wants to ask you questions. Is that all right?”

  She nodded. “I’ll tell him everything I know...everything I can remember.”

  He bent his head and brushed his lips across hers. Although grateful for his assistance, she didn’t want to kiss him like that, so she pulled away.

  “Thank you, Gregg. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  He smiled and stood. “Rest assured, I’ll not let anything happen to you.” He winked, turned and left the room before the guard closed and locked the door.