Love Me Always (8 page)

He chuckled. “I insist. I’ll not take no for an answer.”

With her gloved fingers, she tenderly touched the necklace. “Oh, Grant, this is so unexpected...and they are so lovely. Thank you.”

Grant turned to Nick. “My dear nephew, will you do me the honor of placing this around her neck? I fear the clasp is too small for my eyes to see.”

“Certainly.”

Nick picked up the necklace and stepped behind her, circling it around her neck. The warmth from his unsteady hands seared her skin, and she inhaled sharply. His hot breath caressed her neck and sent chills down her spine. After he was done, he stepped back. She turned, and with shaky hands, reached for the earbobs and placed them on her earlobes.

“There,” Grant said, “your perfection is complete.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Panic suffocated her, and she wanted to press her palms against his chest to stop him, but he soon pulled away, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She prayed this was all the affection he’d show her tonight.

Grant turned to his nephews. “Boys? Why don’t you give Catherine a little show of affection, since she’s practically part of the family.” He looked back at her. “As long as you approve, my dear.”

She laughed lightly, not knowing what the appropriate answer should be. Was it proper? It must be, since Grant instigated the idea and Mrs. Berkley had yet to object. She shrugged. “I suppose that is permissible.”

Ian was the first to give Catherine a hug, and then he placed a small kiss on her cheek. “Welcome to the family,” he cheered.

Gregg was up next, giving her a hug, then while she was still in his arms, he too, kissed her cheek. Catherine chuckled over this encounter, also.

All sense of buoyancy disappeared when Nick stepped up. Instead of being fun and playful like his brothers, Nick appeared solemn, his eyes gleaming with the same look he had as he watched her come down the stairs earlier.

Her heart lodged in her throat as he circled his arms around her waist, holding her close for a hug. The embrace seemed to last a little longer than Gregg or Ian’s. Nick’s hands pressed lower on her back where his brothers hadn’t touched, and a strange thrill shot through her. He drew back just enough to bend his head and place his tender lips to her cheek. It wasn’t in the same spot his brothers had kissed. It was closer to her mouth.

Fireworks exploded inside her head. Closing her eyes, she melted against him, clinging to his broad shoulders. This kiss was far different from what Gregg or Ian had given.

Catherine was the one to pull away. A blush crept up her neck to her face as she stared into Nick’s eyes. At first, happiness lightened his gaze, then his face changed to a look of confusion, and seconds later his whole expression switched once again to indifference as he stepped back.

She quickly glanced at Nick’s brothers, then to Grant, but they seemed unaware that the earth had moved for her. Nick’s kiss was probably very brief, but for her, it seemed to last forever.

Grant cleared his throat. “Shall we go now and start receiving our guests?” He held his arm for her to take.

Hesitantly, she placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her to the ballroom.

What had just happened? And why had she liked it so much and looked forward to the time she could experience this again?

Chapter Four

As each hour passed, a whirlwind of confusion swam in Catherine’s head. She met and chatted with more people than she cared to remember. Scores of men gallantly asked for a dance during the night. Women chatted nonstop about luncheons, which created a slow ache in her skull. After a while, their names became a blur.

Hordes of people stood in line to meet her, Grant’s older spinster sister, Miss Gertrude, one of them. The withered, gray haired woman would be staying with them for an extended visit until the wedding. It was only proper to have another woman in the house besides Mrs. Berkley.

Catherine smiled politely at Grant’s sister, yet dread washed over her. How could she possibly keep the older woman entertained? It was obvious she couldn’t hear very well. Catherine had to repeat herself several times, each time raising her voice a notch.

When she received a break from the guests, she moved to the buffet table. More food than she’d ever seen was piled atop the tables, yet her stomach didn’t want nourishment at this time. The orchestra playing astounded her, and everything left her feeling dazed as if she were floating above watching the activities.

Or was it Nick’s kiss that made her feel this way?

Gregg and Ian had asked her to dance. Being fun and playful, they helped her relax. Thankfully, Nick hadn’t asked her. She didn’t know how she’d react to being in his arms again. Grant would probably not dance with her because of his weakened state. The party had sapped his strength, and he remained in his chair as the night progressed. His eyelids drooped and suddenly she wished he’d not gone all out for her. Would it be impolite to tell his guests to leave so he could rest?

Out of the corner of her eyes, Grant struggled to stand, and when he gained his balance, he clinked a spoon against his champagne glass. Beside him, Nick motioned for her to come over. Her stomach twisted. Would Grant announce their betrothal so soon – and without her permission? Clutching her trembling hands against her stomach, she breathed deeply.

She willed her knees not to buckle and her stomach to keep from rolling. No matter what happened, she couldn’t embarrass herself or Grant’s family tonight. She pasted on a smile and gazed up at Grant.

The room grew silent.

“Friends, thank you for coming tonight,” Grant began. “I have waited a few years for this day to arrive, and now that it’s here, I feel rather anxious. Tonight I want to introduce you to the daughter of my very good friends, Colonel Henry Martin and his wife, the late Sophia. I’m certain many of you have heard of the colonel’s past exploits on the battlefield and his heroism.” Grant looked down at her. “Nevertheless, tonight I’m launching Colonel Martin’s daughter, Miss Catherine, into society.”

Cheers echoed through the room as champagne glasses were raised in the air. Grant squeezed her hand then bent his head to hers. She panicked once again, but he only brushed a kiss on her cheek.

Relief swept through her that he didn’t announce their betrothal. How much longer did she have to suffer, waiting for that moment? Hopefully, he’d give her time to get to know him better.

The same people she’d been introduced to earlier came up and congratulated Catherine. Keeping her smile from wavering, she stood patiently and shook hands with Grant’s guests, knowing she’d not remember one soul tomorrow.

During one of the breaks when the guests weren’t accosting her, she looked down at Grant, who’d taken to his chair again. “Grant? You don’t look well.” She laid her hand against his cheek. “Do you need to go to your room and rest?”

Grant gazed up into her face as his unsteady hand closed over hers. “No, my dear,” he wheezed. “Truly, I’m fine. Do you like your party?”

She smiled. “Yes, very much.”

“You dance well.”

She widened her smile. “I think it’s because I’ve had such great dance partners.”

“Oh, my sweet.” He sighed as his hand dropped to his lap.
 
“How I wish I was strong enough to dance with you. I used to be a superb dancer in my younger days.”

“I’m certain you were. If your nephews learned anything from you, that would explain their ability to make me look so good on the dance floor.”

He laughed weakly. “Would you like to dance again?”

“Oh, no, Grant. You are much too weak, so I shall stay by your side.”

“I know, my dear, but a beautiful woman like you should be out on the dance floor, and so you will.” He turned and called out Nick’s name.

Her heart plummeted. When Nick’s head snapped her way, her heart jumped then thumped in a faster rhythm.

Nick stepped away from the flock of women surrounding him. “Yes?”

“Nick, my beautiful Catherine needs to dance with a strong man. Will you do me the honor of dancing with her?”

“I would be delighted.”

As she placed her hand on his arm and followed him to the dance floor, her breathing quickened. So far this evening, she’d held herself together quite well, but now her good fortune was about to end.

* * * *

Nick breathed slower. He didn’t want to appear as if his heart were going to leap right out of his chest. The orchestra began playing a waltz, so he took her in his arms and gracefully swept her around the floor.

It’s happening again.
Her nearness made him long for what he never could have. She looked so lovely tonight. The softness of the gown’s material made her skin like cream, and her huge eyes appeared even bigger. Her dark brown hair even shimmered in the candle light. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her. She, on the other hand, didn’t meet his eyes, and suddenly, he wanted her attention on him and couldn’t wait a moment longer.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself this evening,” he commented, which brought her gaze up to meet his.

“What do you mean? All I have been doing is meeting people and dancing.”

He chuckled. “Yes, and believe it or not, this is usually the highlight of our lives.” He shrugged. “We are quite the boring lot, are we not?”

She chuckled. “I have met many people, and I have yet to be bored.”

“And how can you be? You have become quite popular tonight. Rumors spread like wildfire when the
ton
heard my uncle was sponsoring Colonel Martin’s daughter, and they couldn’t wait to meet you. If you haven’t realized this yet, your father has made himself quite a respectable reputation.”

She shrugged. “Pray, what are the rumors circling now that they have actually met the colonel’s daughter?”

“Everyone seems to approve, and the men cannot take their eyes off you.”
I for one
.

When the color in her cheeks darkened, Nick grinned.

“But I’m to be married to your uncle.”

“True, but that is not public knowledge yet. Besides, most of these men know how feeble Uncle Grant is, and so they are anticipating the moment my uncle dies so they can vie for your attention.”

She gasped. “Surely you jest.”

“No. In fact, because of my uncle’s weakened condition, they will see you as a very wealthy soon-to-be widow, and they will do anything to win your favor.”

“Well, I shall not give them the opportunity. I was brought up to respect my husband and not take my marriage vows lightly.”

“Glad to hear it.” His arm tightened around her small waist. “Perhaps now I won’t have to worry about you.”

She blushed again and looked away. “No, you won’t.”

Nick liked the nervous look on her face, knowing he was the one to make her this way – the same skittish way she’d been with him when he kissed her this afternoon. Although it’d been a simple kiss, one witnessed by her companion and his family, it didn’t stop him from wanting to keep her in his arms longer.

“So, Catherine, did you feel repulsed by my uncle’s kiss today?”

Her gaze snapped up to his, eyes wide. “No.”

“So you’re saying you
enjoyed
his kiss this afternoon?”

She shrugged. “I cannot be certain. At least I wasn’t repulsed by it.”

“I’m sure it pleased you to be kissed by my brothers though.”

She shook her head. “It was about the same as when Grant kissed me.”

“So, none of
our
kisses excited you?”

Her slender throat jumped, and he assumed her gulp was harder than she’d anticipated by the noise it made. She licked her lips and looked away. His heart sang with victory. She’d told him what he wanted to know. His kiss
had
affected her.

“I don’t think we should be discussing this.” She lowered her voice.

“Then what topic would you like to move on to?” His voice softened and he pulled her closer.

“I...I…” She glanced over his shoulder, trying not to meet his eyes, but he could tell she studied something. Then her eyes flew back to his. “Mr. Fielding, I need your help.”

“Please, don’t be so formal with my name. I remember when you used to call me Nicholas.”

She smiled and nodded. “Nicholas, will you help me?”

He liked the way her voice practically sang from her mouth. “With what?”

“I need you to help me get rid of all these people.”

He couldn’t understand why she had said that, but because of her nearness, it was hard to think straight. His smile softened. “Why? What do you have in mind, my dear?”