by Jane Charles
“What do you intend to do?” Mr. David asked.
Timothy had no answer. “I don’t know.” He turned and made his way back to the carriage. What was he to do? He couldn’t remain at the inn for the rest of his days and he had no desire to rebuild the house. The promise he’d held of living there when he left London faded by the time he arrived in Scotland and met Katrina. But, he didn’t want to return to London. He could not and would not face another season, yet he had no desire to remain in Middleton.
The carriage set into motion for Middleton and Timothy glanced down at the floor. The bag of books, Katrina’s bag of books still sat there where he had left them. He wouldn’t take them to his room at the inn and he didn’t want to ship them back to her either. For some reason he believed they belonged in the carriage where they had shared their last blissful moments.
What was she doing now? It had been two days since he left her and his heart ached as strongly as it did that first hour. Her interview was to be tomorrow and he hoped it went well.
That was a lie. He hoped she didn’t secure a position so she would need him again. But he would never know.
Timothy straightened. How would he know? How could he have gone off and left her there with no guarantee she would have a job. What if it had been given to someone else? Katrina would be stranded in a strange place with no means to support herself. The thoughts churned in his mind of her alone in the world, susceptible to all of the evil.
When they reached his inn, Timothy bolted through the door and sprinted up the stairs to his room where he threw his belongings into this trunk. His coachman carried it down the stairs and put it back on the carriage while he settled his accounts. Before he left town he withdrew all the money he had been sending for the past two years and left Middleton for good. He didn’t know where he would end up but knew he could make no decisions as to his future until he knew Katrina was settled and safe.
If it were with him, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world and he would manage somehow to give her the secure life she deserved. Of course she may not even need or want him but he couldn’t dwell on that possibility now. He needed to return to Willanton to learn her fate.
* * *
Katrina made a full turn in the mirror pleased with the dark blue day dress. It was perfect for an interview. There was no lace and the collar high enough that only the skin of her neck shown. The dress spoke of sobriety and seriousness, just what employers usually wanted in their governesses.
“Monique, this is perfect. I am amazed you finished it so quickly.” Two days ago she had been wandering the town bored out of her mind when she walked into the quaint dress shop. Monique, the owner quickly befriended her and before Katrina knew what she was about, had ordered the perfect dress for today.
Monique placed a cup of tea on the small table before the fire. “I have one question.”
Katrina took a seat and looked over at the dressmaker.
“If you are married, why are you seeking a position as a governess? Did he leave you to fend for yourself?”
Her face heated with memories of Timothy but did she dare tell the truth? Enough people in this town knew he left her at the hotel within minutes of arriving. There was much speculation and she was fairly certain rumors had probably already reached her employer. But she didn’t have a good enough story. Only the truth.
She set her cup back on the table and straightened. “Lord Timothy Strotham is my handfasted husband.”
Monique’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
She quickly explained how she needed a ride to Willanton for the interview and that it was her only hope of employment but she could not travel alone with a man or her reputation would be called into question. So, before leaving Scotland they were handfasted so that they could travel together as man and wife. In a year, the marriage would be dissolved.
“Was this a true marriage? Is there a chance of a child? You could not hold a position if there was.”
“No,” Katrina hastened to assure her. “I was simply a marriage of convenience.” Nobody needed to know the truth about their intimacy because it was a private matter. And she only said anything so there would be no concerns for a child.
“That is the most interesting thing I’ve ever heard.”
Katrina whipped her head around to find an auburn headed woman standing in the door.
“Well, it is the only choice I had.” Katrina looked down wishing she could disappear. This woman was a complete stranger and she had no idea what rumors would be brought about now.
Monique stood. “Lady Fairfield.”
Katrina slowly stood and turned around. Her secret was out and if her future employer didn’t know already, he would as soon as his wife returned. She might as well not even bother showing up for her interview.
“I assume you are Miss Clark. Or, were Miss Clark.” She smiled as if nothing were amiss. “You are to meet with my husband and me later today.”
“Yes.” Katrina dared not give hope that there was still a chance for a position.
Lady Fairfield turned to address Monique. “Is the gown ready?” The smile never left the woman’s face. Was Lady Fairfield always this happy?
“Yes. I will get it for you. Would you like some tea?”
“Oh, please.” Lady Fairfield gracefully glided into an overstuffed chair. “Please, have a seat.”
Katrina did as requested, not sure what to make of the situation.
“So, you have a husband who isn’t really a husband. Or, he is a husband but only a temporary one. Is that correct?”
“Yes. I was handfasted to Lord Timothy Strotham.”
Monique hung a dress of pale green silk on a peg by the door and disappeared into the back of the shop.
“Frankly I find it fascinating and am rather impressed you found a way to travel and save your reputation.”
“It doesn’t bother you?” Perhaps Lady Fairfield was more forward thinking than she dared hoped. Would her husband feel the same?
“No.” She dismissed with a wave of her hand. “I heard your explanation, though it was more personal than you would wish a stranger to hear, but I did anyway.”
Monique placed a cup of hot tea on the table before Lady Fairfield.
“But what of your husband?”
Lady Fairfield shrugged and lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip. “I don’t think he will mind. Once he knows what I know.”
Her stomach unclenched and Katrina hadn’t even realized how tense she was until her body relaxed.
“So,” Lady Fairfield set the cup back on the table. “I read your letter of introduction and the reference. I understand that your father passed away and you are now seeking a new position as a governess, correct?”
Katrina straightened her spine and folded her hands on her lap. Apparently Lady Fairfield was going to interview her now instead of waiting for the appointed time.
“After my father passed away, I ran the bookstore and lending library, but it wasn’t deemed an appropriate vocation for an unmarried woman and business died.”
Lady Fairfield rolled her eyes. “Nothing irritates me more than people who think women cannot do the same job as a man, such as run a bookstore, simply because she is a woman.”
Katrina bit back a grin. She was beginning to like Lady Fairfield.
“Did you enjoy owning the bookstore?”
This time Katrina didn’t fight the smile. “Yes, very much.”
“Then it is even more of a shame you had to give it up and seek employment elsewhere.”
“Oh, but I enjoy being a governess as well.” She didn’t want Lady Fairfield to think she was only seeking this position because she had no choice. She did enjoy teaching children.
“I am sure you must since you have already done this once.”
“May I inquire about the children in your home?” She knew nothing except the advertisement called for a governess for young girls ranging from ages four to nine.
“Ther
e are five girls.”
Katrina hoped the shock did not show on her face. She had been a governess to the three children before, but five? Oh goodness, was she even qualified?
“They are my husbands, and now my nieces.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, I heard that you . . .”
“Were the governess?” She laughed. “Yes, I was. But, we fell in love.”
Katrina returned her smile, wishing she could have a love such as that evidenced in Lady Fairfield’s face and eyes. But, her love was gone with only memories of the few days she had with him.
“And the reason we need a new governess.”
“Is there anything particular you would like to know?” It was best they did not discuss personal matters and she should have never mentioned it in the first place. Their relationship was one of employer and employee, she hoped, and it wouldn’t do well for her to become too familiar.
“No.” Lady Fairfield shrugged. “We were impressed with your history and my husband contacted Lord McGowan already.”
“He did?”
“Yes. He asked a number of questions and was quite pleased with the response.”
Katrina would like to know exactly what those questions were, not that it really mattered since apparently Lord McGowan had answered with the appropriate response.
“Once we had confirmation, he had a letter sent so he could meet you in person before making a final decision.”
“How many have you interviewed?”
“None.”
She was lucky to be the first interviewed for the position. Hopefully she made a strong enough impression they would not feel the need to interview any further candidates.
“He hasn’t contacted any of the others yet.”
Katrina really needed for the interview to go well. If none were lined up, he had pretty much already decided to offer it to her. If all went well. She needed to be perfect when she met Lord Fairfield.
Lady Fairfield picked up her cup and drained it before placing it back on the table and stood. She wandered over to the dress. “Monique, this is lovely as usual.”
“I am glad you like it.”
“The gown is perfect for the ball next week.” She took the dress from the hook. “You will be there?”
“Of course. Have I not already promised?”
Katrina looked between the two. This was rather odd. She had never heard of a Lady inviting her dressmaker to a ball.
“It is going to be a wonderful party. Everyone in town is invited,” Lady Fairfield informed Katrina. “We will need to make sure you have an appropriate dress as well.”
“Oh, no. That is not possible. Especially if your husband hires me.”
Lady Fairfield simply laughed. “We do things a bit differently here in Willanton.” She turned to Monique. “You do have her measurements?”
“Of course.” Monique smiled.
“I recognized her dress as your creation. Why don’t you make something up and send the bill to me.”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t. You couldn’t.”
“Whether my husband employs you or not, you are going to need a ball gown and since you are currently unemployed, I assume you do not have the funds to purchase one for yourself.”
Katrina looked away. No, she didn’t have the funds but she didn’t like the idea of Lady Fairfield paying for her gown either. “It isn’t right.”
“Let me worry about that. Now, are you ready to go?”
“Go?” Katrina hated that her voice practically squeaked. Her interview wasn’t for a few more hours.
“Why not? I have a carriage. You are here, we have met. You only need to meet my husband and nieces.”
“My interview isn’t until three.”
“Fairfield won’t mind a disruption to his schedule. I do it all the time.”
Lady Fairfield waltzed out of the shop with her light green gown. Katrina turned to Monique, hoping for guidance. Monique practically pushed her out of the door. “Go.”
Chapter 11
Timothy checked his watch when they pulled in front of the hotel. Katrina’s interview wasn’t for an hour so they had time to talk. He bounded out of the carriage and into the inn. Mrs. McConnell was standing at the front counter. “Good afternoon, Lord Timothy. I wasn’t expecting to see you.” He suspected the word left unspoken was again.
“Is my wife in?”
“She went across the street to the dressmaker.”
“Thank you.” Timothy turned on his heel and marched out of the inn, across the street and into the dress shop. Only one woman was present and it was not his wife.
“Hello, how can I help you?”
“I was told my wife, Lady Strotham was here.” Timothy stilled. Not once since they were handfasted had he referred to her as Lady Strotham. He found he liked addressing Katrina by the name and title. It suited her.
The dressmaker arched one eyebrow. “Ah, you are the handfasted husband, then.”
“Yes.” He was surprised Katrina had told anyone. But what other explanation could she offer for an absent husband and the need to find employment other than the truth.
“She left a short time ago with Lady Fairfield, for her interview.”
“But it isn’t time.”
“They were introduced in this shop and Lady Fairfield saw no point in waiting.”
He had to go after her. Or, maybe he should just let it be. This was what Katrina wanted, wasn’t it? Timothy turned toward the door and stopped. What should he do?
“Why are you here?”
He turned around to face the woman. “To see my wife.”
“But why? You did your duty. You were handfasted and left her here.”
“Things have changed. What I thought awaited me in Middleton does not.”
“So that is why you came back?”
Why was he having this conversation with a complete stranger? But for some reason he found himself telling her things he wouldn’t tell his closest friends. That just proved h addled Katrina had made him. “I found I wasn’t quite ready to part from my wife, if you must know.”
A slow smile came to her lips. “I assumed so. Nor do I think she is ready to be parted from you.”
His eyes bore into hers. “Why do you say that?”
The woman shrugged. “Just the look on her face when she spoke of you. A smile on her lips as if she were thinking about a special secret. That is all.”
Maybe Katrina was not set to become employed. Did he dare risk it? What if she just wanted her memories and nothing permanent? That could be the meaning behind the secret smile and this could be a fool’s errand that left him highly embarrassed.
“I suggest you go after her before you find her employed.”
“Thank you.” Timothy left the shop and sprinted across the street. “Take me to the Fairfield estate.”
If she didn’t want him, or she reacted poorly to his sudden appearance, then what? He glanced down and smiled. If worst came to worst, he was simply here to return her books.
* * *
“I hope it isn’t an inconvenience that I am here before our scheduled appointment.” Katrina stood in the center of the library. Lord Fairfield was seated in a dark chair, fingers steepled and his elbows rested on his desk. Lady Fairfield had settled into a chair by the fire.
“I find that my schedule rarely goes as intended since I married.”
Katrina would have thought he was angry but his eyes strayed to his wife and they held the same warmth and love she had witnessed in Lady Fairfield when she spoke of her husband.
“Please, have a seat.”
Katrina settled herself in the chair in front of the large desk, back straight, chin up, hands on her lap. She needed to make the best impression possible.
“Well, I shall get to the point. My wife has already decided that you will do.”
She willed herself not to relax in her chair from relief.
“I had come to the same conclusion after my investigation.”
Katrina waited for the offer, clenching her skirt with both hands.
“I simply needed to meet you to assure myself the girls would do well within your care.”
She fought to keep her leg from jiggling, which she often did when nervous.
“What I propose. . .”
There was a scratch at the door and Lord Fairfield broke away from what he was saying and called out. “Enter.”
“There is a gentleman here most insistent on speaking with you, Lord Fairfield.”
“Please put him in the blue salon and I will be there when I am finished.” Katrina remained facing forward and waited for the door behind her to close.
“I tried, Lord Fairfield, but he will not wait. He insists on seeing you and Lady Katrina Strotham now.”
Katrina turned in her seat. Who would want to speak with her? The only person who knew where she was at the moment was Monique.
Lord Fairfield shot her a look, a question in his eyes. Katrina simply shrugged.
“Very well, show him in.”
Katrina returned her focus on the door, anxious to see who was here for her.
Mr. Wallace strode through the door, hat in his hands. Katrina rose from her seat and approached the man. Why was he here?
“Lord Fairfield,” he greeted with a slight bow ofis head. “I apologize for this inconvenience but I must speak with Lady Strotham. It is a matter of urgency.”
Lady Fairfield came out of her seat and approached Katrina. “Is something wrong?”
Mr. Wallace looked between the husband and the wife. “I think perhaps Lady Strotham would wish me to tell her this in private.”
She may have had the position a few moments ago, but Katrina doubted Lord Fairfield would offer it to her now, not after this strange interruption.
“Is there a place we could speak?” Katrina asked Lady Fairfield.
“Yes, the blue salon. Directly across the hall.”
She turned to walk in that direction, passing Mr. Wallace and stopped when the servant entered again. “A Lord Timothy Strotham to see you Lord Fairfield.”
