by Lora Thomas
“I do not care about that. All I care about is you.”
John cleared his throat. “Preacher is ready.”
“He’s not a minister, Mr. McTavish. He is a blacksmith,” Catrina said. “How is he to perform the ceremony legally?”
“He will do fine, Lassie Cat. Blacksmiths are the heart of the community in these parts and held in the highest regard.”
Thomas turned to face John and noticed the irritating grin pulling the Scotsman’s mouth.
“What?” Thomas asked, his left brow cocking upward.
John shook his head, fighting his smile. “Nothing.”
Catrina and Thomas approached Brother McPhee. The ceremony was short and rushed, far from ideal. But then again, what had Catrina expected? Gretna Green was for elopers and nothing grand could be expected. But to Catrina, it did not matter. She was marrying the man she loved and that was all that mattered.
Once their “I do’s” were spoken, the happy couple left the inn and traveled south again. Thomas had initially planned on staying in Springfield, but after Branson’s death, he wanted to get Catrina as far away as possible. He knew there was no love lost between her and Branson, yet he knew it was still troubling her. Her actions indicated as much. She might be sitting beside him, with her hand upon his leg, but her mind was far from here.
“Catrina,” Thomas said.
She did not answer.
“Catrina.”
She looked up at him.
“Are you certain you are all right?”
A deep sigh left her. “Yes and no. I am so happy that we are married. I just wish my parents could have witnessed the event. You would have loved them.”
Thomas squeezed her hand. “They did. They were gazing down from the heavens and watching their daughter marry. As was my father.”
“It just pains me to know the extent to which Branson was willing to go simply to acquire my inheritance. We never saw eye to eye. But to know how deeply his hatred for me ran…well, that is a little unnerving. I did not love my brother, but I did not wish death upon him.”
“I cannot say I understand what you are experiencing. Being an only child was lonely, and I longed to have a sibling to confess my worries and actions to. But if I had to worry about their actions, I am grateful that I did not. Just know, should you ever need to cry over the loss of your brother, I will not think poorly of you. He was still your family.”
Catrina blinked and drew her brow together. “But that is it. I felt nothing when he died other than relief. Does that make me a bad person? I mean, he was my brother. I should have felt something. Even a pang of remorse, but I did not.”
“Then it sounds like your brother has been dead to you for many years.”
A deep breath left Catrina. “I guess he has. He died when my parents did.”
John called down from the coachman’s seat, “I have family that lives up ahead. We will stop there for the night.”
“But we do have another issue now. Laws are tricky and inheritances to women without husbands more so.”
Her brow came together. “How?”
“If it is known that Branson died before we married, then all of your family lands will go to your closest living male relative. But if he died after we married, then they would go to me.”
“How convenient,” Catrina snapped.
“What?”
“For the past several years, there has been a feud between your mother and my brother over land.”
“I have no desire for your land, Catrina. The lands that belonged to your parents. The lands that your parents strived to keep and maintain would no longer be yours. I want to make sure that it stays with you. So you have a claim to it. If it is known that Branson died before we married, it would go to a male relative.”
Catrina shook her head. “Who? I mean, I have a few distant cousins.”
“Then most likely one of those.”
Worry pulled her brow. “So, what are we to do?”
“You will not like what I have proposed.”
“What is it?”
“After we return to London, we will wait a few weeks and have Wilcox declared missing. After a few years, he will be listed as deceased, and you will get your lands.”
“I do not know, Thomas. This does not feel like the honorable thing to do.”
“It will not change the outcome of your brother’s fate. He is dead, and there is no bringing him back. But this way, your parents’ lands will remain yours.”
She closed her eyes and stared out the window for a few moments. “It is not like this would change the fact that he died.”
“No, it will not.”
“Very well.”
Thomas squeezed Catrina’s hand.
“How much farther?” Thomas shouted to John.
“Not long. Just a few miles up ahead.”
“Will they have enough room for us all?”
“They have an empty cottage upon their lands. Perfect for newlyweds.”
Heat crept up Catrina’s cheeks causing Thomas to laugh.
“Why so embarrassed, wife?”
“John will know what we are to do. I cannot face him after that.”
A wolfish grin pulled Thomas's lips. “We are married. And I cannot wait to taste you.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “All of you. We have all night for me to show you the desires I have for you. For four days, I have had to fight those desires, and I fear that I will burst if I cannot have you.”
Catrina flipped open her fan and waved it in front of her face as heat flooded her. “I cannot wait for I fear I will burst into flames if you do not do something.”
Thomas threw his head back and laughed. “What a delight you are.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Catrina sighed and leaned into her husband. The past eleven days since their wedding had been wonderful. They took their time returning from Gretna Green and made frequent stops for picnics and walks. The ordinarily observant Mr. McTavish seemed to have suddenly lost his keen hearing—much to Catrina’s delight for Thomas was a master at seduction. More times than not, Thomas would use those skills upon her in the carriage.
The coach slowed to a stop on the drive to Thomas’s home. As Thomas assisted Catrina from the carriage, she could feel the eyes of the neighbors upon them.
“Good day, Lord Huntsley!”
Thomas pivoted slightly. “Lord Montello. Good day to you as well. Are you a father yet?”
George Billings beamed and puffed out his chest. “Yes. Yes, I am. Viola gave birth to our first child two days ago. A fine strapping son we named Andrew.”
“And your wife? How is she faring?”
“Viola is fine. Dr. Woodson said if all women handled childbirth as well as Viola, then London would be so crowded that one could not move.”
“I am delighted to hear that,” Thomas said and turned back to Catrina.
George’s gaze landed on Catrina.
Catrina hid her expression the best she could. The short man staring at her was an odd sort with blond hair, a beak-like nose, and big eyes. A chicken came to mind when looking at him.
“Who is your guest?” George asked.
Thomas gnashed his teeth. He did not want interference from Billings at the moment, but he had to be polite. Despite George’s association with Matthew St. John, Thomas found the man irritating.
“How rude of me,” Thomas said. “Catrina, this is George Billings, Baron Montello. Montello, this is Catrina, my wife.”
The bulbous eyes of Billings appeared to pop out of his head upon Thomas’s confession. “I am sorry, Lord Huntsley, did you say your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then. Congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you.”
George addressed Catrina. “Who are your family, my dear? I hope they are as eccentric as the rest of us.”
“I am afraid my family is rather dull. My parents were Patrick and Viola Wilcox. They passed several years ago
,” Catrina supplied.
“I am sorry for your loss.” George rubbed his chin. “Wilcox. I must say that name does have a familiar ring to it.”
“My family are from Swindon.”
At the name of Swindon, George furrowed his brow. “Swindon, you say? You wouldn’t be the same Wilcox that Huntsley here was feuding with, would you?”
Thomas closed his eyes. Damn! How did Billings find out all of his information? That man knew everything happening in this neighborhood, from who just moved in to whose cat just had a litter of kittens.
“The same,” Thomas supplied. Maybe if he gave Billings a juicy tidbit, the man would leave and go gossip to one of the neighbors instead of pestering Thomas and Catrina.
George laughed. “Then welcome to our little club, Lady Huntsley.”
“Club?” Catrina asked, confusion on her face.
“Yes. The Eccentrically Bizarre Club of Aristocrat Lane. Well, that is what I call it. We all have fascinating backgrounds. Once you get settled, please feel free to call upon Viola and me, and we will tell you all the little juicy tidbits about our neighborhood.”
Catrina smiled. Despite the man’s unusual appearance, she found she liked him. “Thank you. I would be delighted to pay you and your wife a visit, but only when she feels up for company.”
George grinned. “I like her, Huntsley. I truly do. I do believe she will be good for the neighborhood.”
“Thank you,” Thomas replied with sarcasm.
“By the way, your mother has frequently been visiting your home.”
Alarm caused the hairs on Thomas’s arms to prickle. “Josephine?”
“She is your mother, is she not?” George questioned.
“Yes.”
“Then, yes, she has been here. Your butler refused to grant her entrance, though. Good man you have there. If you ever tire of him, please let me know. Henry is a valuable asset that any home would be blessed to have. Now, please excuse me. I was on my way to Holland’s.”
Catrina and Thomas watched George leave.
“I like him,” Catrina said.
Thomas placed a hand upon the small of Catrina’s back and began escorting her to the house. “I do not.”
“Why? He seems like a nice man.”
“He is nosy. I am surprised that St. John has not broken his nose.”
“St. John?”
“Yes. Matthew St. John. Billings there is a close friend of Sir Matthew’s.”
“Would that be the same St. Johns that you are related to?”
“The one and the same.”
“Fascinating.”
“What?” Thomas asked.
“That you do not care for your cousin’s acquaintance.”
“Do you care for your brother’s?” The instant the question left Thomas, he regretted it. “I am sorry, Catrina.”
She proudly cocked her chin but said nothing.
“My lord!” Henry called from the doorway. “It is so good to see you have safely arrived home and with Miss Wilcox as well. I have much to report.”
“Thank you, Henry. And it is not Miss Wilcox, but Lady Huntsley now.”
Henry’s eyes lit up. “I am glad to hear it, my lord. Now, if I may be so bold as to order you about?”
“Order away,” Thomas said.
“I have much to discuss with you. Please let us enter the residence so I can tell you all that has transpired.”
The trio made their way into Thomas’s home and to the study. Catrina made herself comfortable in the leather chair. Thomas leaned against his desk. Henry stood in the middle of the room.
“What has happened, Henry?”
“Where to begin? Let us see. Just hours after you left, Miss Wil—I mean Lady Huntsley’s brother arrived demanding to know your location. I sent him on a wild goose chase to Manchester. Did he find you?”
Catrina stared at Thomas, wondering how he would reply. They swore to keep Branson’s death a secret. Thomas simply kept a flat affect upon his face.
“As you know, no one stopped our marriage.”
“Then you must keep a wary eye upon that man. I fear he is dangerous.”
“Noted. Now my mother?”
“She arrived here five days ago, demanding entrance and stating that this house was now hers.”
A dark look settled over Thomas.
“I would not allow her entrance. She claimed that since you have not married, all your properties are hers.”
“She would be wrong.”
“I tried to tell her as much, my lord,” Henry said. “She claimed she would seek legal counsel.”
“Let her. I was to marry before my twenty-fifth birthday and did so by over a month.”
“She will demand proof, my lord.”
Thomas pulled out the leather pouch from his breast pocket and held it up. “And I have it. A sworn written statement by a Frances McPhee, who performed the ceremony, as well as three witnesses—Gladys Chambers, Brian O’Connell, and John McTavish.”
“She will not graciously accept a marriage performed at Gretna Green, my lord.”
“I do not give a damn if she accepts it with grace or not. She can rant and rave all she wishes. I married as stipulated. She will get nothing. When will she return?”
Henry shook his head. “She has been arriving daily at one.”
Thomas nodded. “Good. Now, have my lawyer summoned. I have some documents that need to be notarized. Have Mrs. Welling assist my wife. We have had a long journey and need to freshen up.”
Henry bowed. “Yes, my lord.”
“Come, wife. It has been a trying two weeks and will be even more trying when my mother arrives. Let us get prepared for the battle to come.”
Catrina followed Thomas to his chambers and could not contain her gasp. It was immaculate and like nothing she had ever seen before. The enormous room had dark blue brocade paper decorating the walls. A matching quilt and canopy adorned the bed. A marble fireplace sat close enough to the bed to provide warmth, but far enough away to keep from fire from being an issue. On each side of the mantle were golden sconces holding a multitude of candles. Over the mantle was a large mirror. Against the wall was a dark wooden hutch with numerous drawers. Several fawn-colored chairs sat in front of a row of arched windows with a thick gray rug sitting in the center. To the right of the chairs was a doorway. She made her way to the opening and peered inside. Sitting in the room was a bathtub encased in oak, a table with a pitcher sitting on top, a mirror, and a commode chair.
“I hope my modest accommodations will suffice,” Thomas said.
She turned to see his teasing expression.
“I will make do.”
He laughed. “If you would like, I can hire a carpenter to place a doorway there.” He pointed at the wall to the left of the chairs. “That way, you can have your own chambers. Although, I would protest that. I want my wife here with me.”
A coy smile came to her. “I think I want to say right here. Although a changing room would be nice.”
“Consider it done.”
“You didn’t even question my reasoning or even take into consideration the cost.”
Thomas sat down upon the bed. “We all need privacy. As for the cost? I have plenty of money. Unless you want to use yours.”
She shook her head. “No. Feel free to pamper me all you wish.”
“I plan on it. Now, tomorrow we will go see my banker and set up an account for you.”
“Truly?”
“I am a man of my word, Catrina. You will have your own money. Once I have spoken with my lawyer about acquiring your dowry and inheritance, it will be placed there as well.”
“Thank you. I do not mean to sound so callous about money. I just did not want Branson to get it.” Sadness came over her. “Not that he ever will now.”
“We must keep that quiet for the time being.”
“I will.”
A commotion outside captured the couple’s attention. Thomas approached the window and
looked out.
“What is it?” Catrina asked, approaching.
“Josephine is making her presence known.”
Catrina glanced at the mantel clock. “It is only eleven.”
“She must have had someone watching for my return,” Thomas theorized. He turned from the window and sat down.
“What are you doing?” Catrina asked. “Your mother is here.”
“So she is.” Thomas crossed his left leg over his right.
“You are going to make her wait?”
He shrugged. “Yes.”
“And if she creates a scene?”
“You apparently do not know my mother. She would create a scene no matter if I made her wait or not. At least this way, I can irritate her by making her wait.”
“And what are you going to do in the meantime? Read a book? Take a nap?”
The corner of Thomas’s lips curled upward. Lowering his leg, he patted his lap. “Come here, and I will show you.”
“Thomas!” Catrina protested as she realized what his intentions were. “We cannot. Your mother will be downstairs any minute.”
“So.”
“So? So, someone will hear.”
Thomas tilted his head and chuckled. “That they would. You do have a tendency to become a little vocal while we make love.”
Heat flooded Catrina from the roots of her hair to her chest. “Thomas!”
A knock on the door caused him to laugh. “Saved by the help. Enter!”
Mrs. Welling entered, carrying a pitcher of water. A servant girl followed, carrying a tray with tea and biscuits.
Thomas stood and approached Catrina. Placing a kiss upon her cheek, he spoke, “Freshen up. I will tolerate—I mean, handle—my mother.”
“Should I not be with you?”
Thomas shook his head. “No. I have a feeling you will hear every word, anyway.”
Thomas left his chambers and sauntered down the stairs. He did not rush. He wanted his mother to wait. The waiting would cause her temper to rise, and he was in need of a good fight with her. Especially after she’d had the audacity to demand entry to his home while he was away.
As he neared the bottom of the stairs, he could hear his mother in the study.
