The Daughter of Highland Hall (43 page)

Kate winced and lifted her hand to her head. Her headache was only a faint throb, but sudden movements made her head swim.

Julia glanced her way. “Are you all right, Kate?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” She rubbed her temple.

Dr. Foster regarded her with a concerned look. He took his watch from the pocket of his vest. “We don’t have to leave for the station until three. Why don’t we take the children for a walk to the park?”

Andrew’s eyes lit up. “That’s a fine idea.”

“Oh yes!” Millie looked up at Julia. “May we please go?”

Julia smiled. “All right. Go up and get your hats, then meet us in the front hall.”

Andrew and Millie rushed out of the room, and their feet pounded up the stairs. Louisa excused herself, saying she needed to write some letters.

Dr. Foster approached and looked down at Kate. “Hopefully, a little peace and quiet will allow you to rest.”

She sent him a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Penny crossed to Kate’s side. “Would you like me to stay with you? I wouldn’t mind.”

“No, it’s a beautiful day. Go enjoy the sunshine.”

“All right, if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

Julia laid her hand on Kate’s shoulder. “Why don’t you put your feet up and relax?”

Kate lay back and closed her eyes. Footsteps faded and the room grew quiet. She pulled in a deep breath and tried to quiet her muddled thoughts.

Dr. Foster told her the concussion might make it difficult to remember Saturday’s events clearly, and it was true. She recalled carrying Helen’s bags down the Pittsfords’ front steps, but she had no memory of Charlie Gibbons grabbing her and throwing her down, though Lydia told her that was what happened.

Her first clear memory was waking up in Dr. Pittsford’s parlor with Jon hovering over her. His face had been fuzzy and his voice distorted, but she would never forget the look of relief that filled his eyes when she whispered his name.

At least that was what she thought she remembered.

But Jon was a compassionate man. Perhaps he would’ve responded the same way when any of his patients regained consciousness.

Still … he’d held her hand while Dr. Pittsford stitched her head wound and wiped her tears with his handkerchief. At the time it had seemed wonderfully caring and romantic, but perhaps she was attaching romantic feelings to his actions when that was the farthest thing from Jon’s mind.

Was he simply her friend, or had he grown to care for her in a deeper way … the way she cared for him? Surely he knew she couldn’t be the first one to speak about her feelings. That had to come from him.

Kate sighed. It was all so confusing. Maybe her head injury was making
her imagine the whole thing. If that was the case, she must stop pining for Jon, or she would be headed for heartbreak.

After all, if he had deeper feelings for her, he would make them known. If not …

A painful, hollow feeling tightened Kate’s stomach, but it wasn’t caused by hunger. At least … not physical hunger.

Someone walked into the drawing room, and Kate opened her eyes.

“Look what just arrived!” Louisa waved two envelopes at Kate.

Kate’s brow creased. “What is it?”

“Invitations! One is for a ball at the Taylor-Mumfords’ on the twenty-first, and the other is a garden party at the Hildebrants’ on the twenty-third.”

Kate sat up. “You opened them?”

Louisa averted her eyes. “Well … I didn’t want to take a chance they might be upsetting notes about the article in the paper.”

Kate pursed her lips. “Really, Aunt Louisa, there’s no need to treat me like a china doll. I’ve had a concussion, but I’m going to be fine.”

Louisa handed Kate the invitations. “I called on Sylvia Ralston this morning. It seems the damage from the newspaper article may not be as bad as we’d first feared. In fact, Sylvia says it has stirred up a great deal of sympathy for you.”

Kate slid the Taylor-Mumfords’ invitation out of the envelope. July twenty-first was almost three weeks away. Would she be well by then? Did she want to spend her last few weeks in London resuming the maddening round of social events? She sighed and looked up at her aunt. “I’m not sure I—”

Nelson stepped through the doorway. “Mr. Edward Wellington is here to see you, miss.”

Kate stared at Nelson. She hadn’t expected to see Edward, especially not today.

A triumphant smile spread across Louisa’s face. “Show him in.”

The footman exited, and Edward entered the drawing room a few seconds later, carrying a large bouquet of bright summer flowers.

“Edward.” Louisa hurried to greet him. “How kind of you to come, and what beautiful flowers.” She turned to Kate. “Isn’t it wonderful of Edward to bring you such a lovely bouquet?”

Kate forced a smile, barely able to cover her surprise. “Hello, Edward. How are you?” She laid the invitations on the table.

“I’m well.” He stepped forward and presented the flowers to her.

“Thank you.” The large, expensive bouquet included lilies. Their powerful fragrance flooded the air and made her head hurt. “Aunt Louisa, could you take these for me?”

“Oh yes, of course. I’ll just go and ask someone to put them in water.” She smiled at Edward again. “I’m sure you two have things you’d like to discuss.” She strolled out, leaving the drawing room door open.

“May I sit down?”

“Oh yes, please.” She should’ve suggested that, but her brain seemed to be processing every thought in slow motion.

He sat in the chair closest to the settee. “I saw the article on Sunday. I’ve been worried about you. I had to come.”

“That’s kind of you.”

“I would’ve come yesterday afternoon, but my parents were not convinced it was wise.”

Kate studied his face, trying to understand his meaning.

“My father initially agreed to the visit, but when my mother heard about my plans, she confronted my father. MaryAnn sided with mother, as she always does. Of course I supported my father, but it didn’t end well.” Edward sighed. “I’m afraid it caused quite a fuss.”

Heat flooded Kate’s face. “I’m so sorry.” How embarrassing to be the cause of an argument between Edward and his parents.

“But this morning, for some reason, my mother changed her mind and gave me permission, so here I am.” He smiled as though he had won a great victory.

Kate looked away, questions stirring in her mind. Was Edward so dependent on his parents that he couldn’t pay a call on anyone without their permission?

“So how are you feeling?” He waited, a slow smile forming on his lips. “You look lovely.”

“I’m fine, or I will be very soon.”

“That’s good.” His brow creased. “The photograph in the paper was quite disturbing. I thought your injuries might be much worse.”

“I have a headache from a concussion, and it’s a bit of a bother. I’m not allowed to read or do anything taxing for a few days. The doctor says I must rest my brain.”

Edward grinned. “You’ll just have to enjoy being a lady of leisure.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

He glanced at the invitations lying on the table, and surprise flashed across his expression. “Forgive me, but is that an invitation from the Taylor-Mumfords?”

“Yes, they’re hosting a ball on the twenty-first.”

“What a stroke of luck. We’ve been invited as well.” He smiled again. “At least now we know we’ll be able to see each other that day.”

Kate pondered that for a moment, her unease growing.

“I know in my letter I invited you to the cricket match on the seventh, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to escort you that day. I’ll have to check with my parents.”

“What about your sister’s engagement party on the fifteenth?”

Edward’s face colored. “Oh … yes. I mentioned that too, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Well, I hoped my parents would send you an invitation, but …”

She looked down. What was she supposed to say to all of this? She wasn’t at all sure she wanted to go to Charles and MaryAnn’s engagement party … still it was disheartening to know she had been excluded.

“I’m sorry. I can see you’re disappointed.”

Kate looked up. “No, no. It’s all right.”

He reached for her hand. “I promise I’ll speak to my parents about it. I’m sure when I tell Mother you’ve been invited to the Taylor-Mumfords’, she’ll be more open to the idea.”

She shook her head. “You don’t need to do that.”

He tightened his hold on her hand. “Please, Kate, I know it’s been difficult to wait for my parents to soften their stance against us, but you must admit it’s not entirely their fault.”

She stiffened. “Are you saying it’s
my
fault?”

He tipped his head. “Well, I’m not sure I would put it that way, but your decision to go to the East End was … disappointing.”

Kate’s throat burned. “I went there to help a woman who was in great danger.”

“I understand, but couldn’t you have sent someone else?”

Before she could reply, Jon walked through the doorway. He shot a glance at Edward and Kate. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Kate slipped her hand from Edward’s. “You’re not interrupting. Please come in.”

Edward frowned, but nodded to Jon. “Foster.”

Jon returned a nod, his expression unreadable. “Wellington.”

Seconds ticked by. Kate searched Jon’s face and struggled to find something to say.

Jon broke the silence. “I was hoping to see my parents before they left for the station.”

Kate swallowed. “They’ve gone to the park with the children.”

He studied her and Edward a moment more, then nodded. “Thank you.” He turned to go.

“Jon, wait, please,” Kate called, her head pounding again.

He looked back, his jaw firm, his eyes unwavering.

“They … should be back soon.”

“I’ll go look for them.” He strode out of the room.

Kate’s heart plunged.

TWENTY-THREE
 

Jon poked at the potatoes on his dinner plate, then laid his fork aside. The words he needed to say had lodged in his throat, and it was impossible to finish the meal. He warned himself not to look at Kate, but this was the last time he would sit across the table from her, and he wanted to have a clear memory to carry with him.

She looked beautiful tonight in an ivory gown with golden threads woven through the lace. Fluttery short sleeves covered her shoulders like a filmy cape. She wore a jeweled comb in her hair, and her diamond earrings and diamond-pendant necklace sparkled in the light from the chandelier.

Pain sliced through him at the thought of leaving and not seeing her every day, but he had no choice. He could not ask her to marry him. The dangers of life on the East End were too great. He would not put her life at risk, nor could he turn his back on his calling.

For Kate’s sake and his own, he had to leave.

Lawrence, Nelson, and Patrick stepped forward and cleared away the dishes from the final course. Julia looked around the table and started to rise. “Ladies, shall we pass through?”

“Wait.” Jon looked up and met his sister’s gaze. “Before you go, I have something I’d like to say.”

“All right.” Julia sat down again.

He forced his gaze to remain on his sister rather than on Kate. “I want to thank you for your hospitality. It’s been a pleasure becoming better acquainted with … everyone.”

Kate looked up then, questions flickering in her blue eyes.

“We’ve been very happy to have you with us.” Julia smiled, obviously unaware of what was coming.

“I know you’ll be returning to Highland Hall in a few weeks,” Jon
continued, “so I’ve spoken to Theo, and we’ve found a flat near St. George’s. I’ll be moving there tomorrow.”

The color drained from Kate’s face.

“Oh, Jon, there’s no need for you to go yet,” Julia said. “Can’t you stay with us a little longer? We won’t return to Highland until early August.”

He hesitated, wishing he could, but that would only make matters more difficult for everyone. “Thank you, but I think this is best.”

Julia’s gaze darted to William, her eyes urging him to speak.

William placed his napkin on the table. “We’ll be sorry to see you go, Jon. I hope you’re not leaving because of our conversation yesterday. If I offended you, I apologize.”

“No, I’m not offended.” Jon met William’s gaze. “Everything you said was true.”

Kate looked back and forth between Jon and William, confusion in her eyes, but Jon couldn’t speak to Kate about it here in front of everyone. Or, for that matter, in private. His heart was too sore, and he might say more than he intended. That would only add to her hurt and confusion.

“I don’t think you should go.” Andrew looked across the table at Jon. “Who will play draughts with me?”

Jon forced a smile for the boy’s sake. “Perhaps you could teach Millie how to play.”

Andrew scowled. “That wouldn’t be any fun.”

Millie stuck out her lip. “I could learn.”

“Girls are not good at draughts. Everyone knows that.”

“Andrew.” Julia sent the boy a warning with her eyes, then shifted her gaze back to Jon. “If you must go, then promise you’ll return to have dinner with us as often as you can.”

Jon glanced at Kate, then quickly looked away. “Thank you, Julia.” But he wouldn’t make a promise he didn’t intend to keep. After he left Ramsey House tomorrow morning …