"What are you doing?" Katherine yelled at Oliver. The man was so infuriating!
Oliver ignored her question and continued making a pallet on the floor. Taking his boots off, he laid flat on his back and closed his eyes. Katherine belted out the same question again. Knowing she would never let him sleep, he enlightened her with his reasoning.
"I am here to protect you and keep guard over you so now, please rest."
Yanking the cover back over her tired body, Katherine closed her eyes and mumbled under her breath, "The snoring best not keep me from slumber." As she drifted off to sleep, her last vision was Oliver's firm body and beautiful red hair.
Chapter 3
A mystifying commotion woke Katherine up from a deep sleep. Gathering her thoughts, she rubbed her eyes and scoped the room. Oliver was missing. Sliding off the side of the bed, her right bare foot landed on the cold gritty floor. She shuddered.
Immediately, Katherine discovered her bags were missing. She was sure they were placed on the floor next to the door last night. Panic consumed her. All she could think of was that someone had broken into the room and stolen her bags.
Her fear soon turned to anger. Oliver was supposed to be protecting her, some job he was doing.
Katherine mumbled under her breath, "Some safeguard he is. He was probably flirting with that frolicsome innkeeper." Picking up her bonnet and gloves, Katherine stepped outside the room.
A familiar voice spoke to her. Turning her head, she recognized the vocalization as the innkeeper. "Would you care for a cup of tea and something to eat, my lady?"
Katherine snarled, "No," and exited the Chester Grove Inn in search of Oliver.
The sun was just coming up. Katherine inhaled the fresh air. Determined to rid her mind of sinful thoughts, she forced a smile.
The coachman spoke briefly to her, "We will be leaving soon, my lady, for Loneshire. Your bags are in the carriage."
Oliver was standing at the edge of the road. Katherine, sidestepping the debris, headed towards him. She suddenly tripped and fell against Oliver. While she was embarrassed, she also felt an excitement she had never experienced before, and a warm sensation swept over her body.
Katherine's mind rushed. Why am I having these sensations? She was utterly frustrated. Oliver, being a gentleman, reached out to steady Katherine. She would have no part of this and roughly slapped his hands away. “Leave me alone,” she hissed. Hurt and rejected, he retreated back to the safety of the carriage.
Katherine stood there on the side of the road. She was shocked at her own ludicrous behavior. How could she be so unreasonable to Oliver? She waged war against herself within the confines of her mind and heart. Tears begin to form, and her hands trembled. Stepping carefully, she walked slowly to the carriage.
Oliver sat on one side of the carriage waiting on Katherine. He made no effort to assist her into her seat. As soon as she sat down, the carriage lunged forward, and she slammed into Oliver, losing her balance. With a haughty clear of her throat, she moved as far away from him as she could; crossing her arms over her chest and looking off to her right. The horse hooves pounded the roadbed at full speed. Loneshire awaited the arrival of its cherished passengers. Katherine was eager to get there and begin her life with Percy. She knew he would never be as infuriating as his brother.
Neither spoke a word to the other, each engrossed in deep thought. Katherine's face was pink with blotches instead of her normal white porcelain skin color. Oliver brooded.
As the miles clicked by, both appeared anxious. Both desired to speak, but pride wouldn’t allow the transaction. Katherine studied Oliver's eyes, but glanced away quickly if his head moved slightly. Ironically, he was performing the same ritual. While he thought her beautiful, he quickly dismissed such thoughts. She was going to marry his brother; he was just an escort, nothing more. Although he knew his brother did not deserve her, he was helpless to say anything. And for that, he silently apologized to her.
Mile after mile, tree after tree, farmland and forest mixed together, and the vision was the same to both passengers. Katherine's eyes were getting heavy and the rhythmic movement caused her to doze off. Oliver now had the perfect opportunity to study this beautiful creature - again.
Chapter 4
Oliver watched Katherine sleep; her chest rising and falling with each breath. He was very impressed with his brother's choice for a wife. Poised, beautiful, and a lady of grace were just a few of her many attributes.
Oliver wondered as to God's reasoning for blessing his older brother with such attractiveness. Percy had it all he thought, great wealth, servants, an estate and beautiful women. Percy's first wife was a very refined woman who bore him a precious child, Sarah. She favored her mother with her beauty, hair the color of wheat and deep blue eyes. How Oliver loved that child as if she were his own.
Oliver knew what happened to Percy's wife. No one else knew. It was a big secret and for the sake of his adorable niece, he would forever hold her death in his mind. He would carry that terrible night to his grave with him. Anger enveloped him as he looked at Katherine. Percy did not deserve her but he could not meddle in his brother’s affairs. He had tried once before and had been the victim of his brother’s venomous wrath. It had almost cost him his life.
Oliver closed his eyes but the scene from that night was still fixed before him. He knew he would relive that scene again and again. The door gate in his mind, which held all terrible memories at bay, opened and thoughts tumbled out before his closed eyes. He prayed often to God to take those awful memories away, and he prayed for Percy.
Oliver tried to stop the nightmarish memories from coming back to his conscious mind but he was powerless to stop them.
Oliver stood before his brother and was introduced to his soon-to-be sister-in-law, Marian. She was an exquisite woman. Percy and Marian were to be married in the Church of England. Percy had followed through with his requirements for the upcoming ceremony. Marian had brought a generous dowry to the settlement.
"You can leave us alone, Marian, so I can talk with my brother," Percy said. She bowed graciously and departed to the gardens. Oliver watched her small frame gingerly walk across the marble floor. He wondered if she had any idea how cruel of a man she was about to marry.
"Where are Mother and Father? I have not seen them on the estate. Have they traveled to London?" Oliver asked of his brother.
"No they have not, which is what we need to discuss. Please, let us sit," Percy said, pointing to a chair.
Oliver felt sick to his stomach; something was wrong, he could feel it. He sat down quickly in the overstuffed chair, tossing his hat towards a side table.
"Mother and Father died over a year and a half ago."
The color drained from Oliver's face, "How? What happened? Why did you not contact me?" He waited for an answer, all color draining from his face and tears forming in his eyes. He watched Percy rise from his seat and pour himself a glass of brandy, then return to his seat as if nothing was wrong.
"Please tell me," Oliver yelled.
"Killed in a carriage accident. The bridge gave way after a tremendous amount of rain. Father's carriage went off into the river and washed them down stream. Their bodies were not found for a week," Percy declared.
"I paid for an ostentatious funeral that cost me a lot, so I have done my duty. Will you be staying for my marriage, or do you plan to leave soon?" Percy related with coldness in his voice. "I want you to meet Marian's family before you leave." Percy walked out of the room, leaving Oliver sitting alone, disgusted with the cold arrogance of which Percy spoke of their parents’ deaths.
Oliver was deeply hurt and began to weep. Had his parents suffered or did they die quickly? Why would they be travelling in that kind of weather? Question after question entered his brain.
Oliver did not understand but he was determined to find out the truth. He was instructed from his nursemaid as a child to honor his mother and father. The prayer book was often quoted to him as a
child. Moses and Christ spoke of this commandment. He would honor them now by finding out how they died.
The room Oliver slept in was the same. He placed his baggage in the room and walked quickly around the enormous room. He glanced out the window and noticed something very strange. Directly across the garden was the carriage house. Outside was his father's carriage. He was sure of it. He would recognize it anywhere. Had not his brother told him it was his father's carriage that went into the river?
Everyone knew his father would not ride in any carriage except for one. The doubt began to fester. He ran down the stairs and entered the herb garden. As he stepped toward the carriage house, Marian spoke to him. Turning quickly to her, she extended her hand to him. Not sure why, he reached for her hand and kissed it. He was confused and not thinking clearly.
Marian giggled then gently expressed her condolences for his parents’ deaths.
"How kind of you," Oliver said. He was anxious to reach the carriage house, but something within him asked to entertain this lovely creature. "Were you here at the estate when my parents were found?" he inquired.
"No I was not. I did not know your parents."
"I can tell you," she said as her skin flushed pink, “Percy was to marry a common woman. She died in the carriage accident as well."
Oliver inquired as to her knowledge of these facts.
"Your former coachman told me." Marian knew she may have spoken out of turn and withdrew herself from the situation. She turned and headed towards the rose garden.
Oliver crawled under the carriage. He confirmed Percy's erroneous tale of his parents’ deaths. As a child, Oliver had notched a small symbol into the wooden undercarriage. There it was—proof his brother had lied. This was his father's carriage.
Determined more than ever, Oliver promised God he would discover the truth of his parents’ deaths and honor their name. He had no plan at the moment but time would expose only the truth.
Oliver went into the kitchen in search of information. He learned at an earlier date the kitchen staff were the ones who saw and knew all. The butler took his job too seriously and would never give up any information but the kitchen staff would. He also knew his brother was a womanizer, and he would use this to his advantage.
The head cook, Susanna, was taken aback when Oliver sat at the servant's table requesting some tea. She informed him tea would be served wherever he requested, but surely not at the servant's table. He knew in order to obtain any information, he would need to mingle with the staff in their areas.
"No, I would like it served here," Oliver said. He related how sad he was at the loss of his parents and went straight to the point. He inquired of the name of the common woman that was killed. To his dismay, she began to cry.
"It was my daughter, my lord. She found herself with child, and your brother was the father. When your father learned of this, he threatened Percy. He would marry my daughter and raise the child as heir to the estate."
She lowered her voice to a whisper. "My lord, I believe your parents were killed, but not by an accident. I believe your brother had something to do with their deaths."
"And your daughter as well?" Oliver questioned.
She hung her head. "My daughter's body was never found." She poured his tea and turned back to her task at hand preparing the evening meal.
Her heart still hurt for the unknown of her daughter's fate. She knew it was not the best situation. She also knew Percy really loved her daughter deeply. He treated her like a queen, but money had become his god. Maybe her God had spared her child's life.
Oliver returned to his room, more determined to bring this to an end. He thought of Marian and her sweetness. Could he really hurt her when he exposed his brother's sin? She was so helpless and innocent. What was that statement his mother always said to him? "Pride goeth before a fall."
Percy's pride led him to greed, which turned to murder. He killed his own parents, his soon-to-be wife and his own child. He was sorry Marian would be hurt but if he could save her from all this misery it would be worth it.
But in the end, Oliver had said nothing. Nothing he could do would bring his parents back. Marian went on to marry Percy, and Percy seemed to be a changed man. No more drunken tirades or womanizing. Oliver believed Percy had changed. Sarah was born, and both Marian and Percy seemed happy.
Until that fateful night. He shook his head, not wanting to relive that day. He stayed away from Percy after that, only returning every few years to visit Sarah. It was this last visit that Percy had instructed him he was to accompany his new future wife from her home to his. Oliver now looked over at Katherine, fear in his heart. But he quickly looked away. No one wanted the wrath of Percival, and he made himself a promise that he would not meddle in his affairs.
Chapter 5
Katherine stirred and shifted her body into a different position. She moaned in her sleep and gently wiped her brow. The sun was midway in the sky, and the temperature was climbing in the carriage. Her eyes opened, and she spoke gently to Oliver. She asked if the coachman could stop so she could walk around.
He ordered the coachman to pull over in the next wooded area. He knew Katherine needed privacy. The footman came around and assisted Katherine out of the carriage and allowed her to walk behind a thicket of trees. Oliver took advantage of the stop. When Katherine returned, Oliver excused the footman and extended his hand to Katherine as he guided her to step into the carriage. She smiled and held his hand tightly.
The carriage in motion again, Oliver asked Katherine if she needed to eat. He informed her there was a small inn about an hour away. She agreed she would appreciate some food and tea. The conversation turned quickly to Percy. Katherine had met him once but knew very little of him.
Oliver was faced with telling her the entire truth or half-truths. His brother was an evil, greedy, womanizing, cruel person. He knew better, though, to express those sentiments.
"Percy is Duke of Loneshire and very wealthy. The estate is enormous. We have twenty staff members," Oliver rattled on. He spewed information out at a rapid speed. He was concerned he might slip and say something that would cause her harm. He wanted to turn the carriage back but didn’t. Percy had told him he was a changed man. Oliver wanted to believe it. He swore that if Percy laid a hand on Katherine, he would kill him.
The carriage began to slow down and both knew the inn was close. The inn was located in an open area with a well-kept herb garden on the grounds. The innkeeper was a middle aged frail lady. She had a beautiful kind smile and welcomed her guests with open arms. A platter of cold meat, different cheeses, boiled eggs and several rolls were placed in the center of the table. A smaller plate held grapes and a few cold slices of leftover cake from the night before. Katherine drank tea and Oliver ale.
Katherine asked the innkeeper to take food to the coachman and footman. She was indeed a caring person, thought Oliver. The men were not allowed to leave the carriage, however, Katherine made sure their need for food was taken care of. Oliver wondered how Katherine would treat, and deal with, Percy's concubines. Would she be as caring for them?
Once they were full, they entered into the carriage again, getting closer to their final destination.
Katherine settled in for the journey to Loneshire. She was anxious to arrive. Oliver was telling her a story of his childhood and the pony he received as a present from his grandfather. She found herself admiring not only his words but also other aspects of him. She was no longer as frustrated with her feelings. She knew a part of her was attracted to this man but shook the thoughts from her head. She was going to marry his brother, she best stop this foolishness.
Oliver stopped talking as the realization that he had fallen in love with this woman hit him. He knew it in his heart. How was he going to explain this to her? He looked deep into her eyes. He observed her kindness and sincere love for others. He would tell her before the carriage arrived at Loneshire for she must never marry his brother. Would his brother give up his conc
ubines? Oliver doubted it. He may for a week or two but Oliver knew him too well. What Percy wanted, he always got, and Oliver knew Percy would kill his own flesh and blood to keep what was his.
A silence between the two ensued. The only noise was the wind blowing. Finally, their eyes met, and Oliver reached out to hold Katherine's hand. She smiled as a feeling she had never known before touched her heart. And she knew, she knew right there, what she felt for Oliver; the brother of the man she was going to marry.
"Katherine, I must declare my love for you. I know you belong to my brother and I will deliver you to him," he declared. "But my heart will always belong to you." He hung his head, thinking what a coward he was.
Katherine nodded her head in agreement. She knew what she had felt since she had laid eyes on him. Some may think it crazy, but she knew her heart. "Oh, Oliver, I love you as well, but I must marry Percy. His child needs a mother. Please understand. My parents would be devastated." She tried telling herself that she would feel these feelings for Percy once she had gotten to know him like she had come to know Oliver. She knew Percy would be the kind and gentle man that Oliver was. In time, she would forget Oliver as she and Percy built their lives together. She couldn’t let her parents down, or Sarah.
Oliver understood what she had expressed. Sarah needed a mother. It was because of his love for his niece that he agreed to deliver Katherine to his evil brother in the first place. How could he deprive Sarah? Oliver believed his heart was going to break into a thousand pieces but he vowed to get on with his life and never look back. He would pray that Percy become a changed man and love Katherine as much as he loved her.
Katherine knew she was going to cry. She fought back the tears with every fiber in her body. She prayed silently to God asking for strength. Oliver released her hand and silence presented itself again. Both retreated to their own thoughts as Loneshire loomed closer.
The Duke’s Deception Page 2
