Unveiled (37 page)

“Yes, but they are both stubborn. Christopher, for all his virtues, is extremely strong-willed, as is my niece. I just hope they learn to express that love before it’s too late.”

Eunice nodded, enveloping Sean in her arms as the young boy approached her. He watched his mother and Christopher for a moment, his blue eyes shining with admiration, then he turned to Eunice.

“Does this mean that he won’t go away? Like my da?”

“I certainly hope so, Sean,” Eunice said fervently. “I hope so.”

“How could you laugh at me like that?” Christopher chided her as they glided beneath the chandeliers. The light brought out the rich blackness of Katie’s hair and the brilliance of her eyes as she smiled mischievously.

“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist. Christopher, when you plan a party, you don’t forget anything. Even the drama.”

“That’s enough.” He spoke firmly, but she could see the laughter in his eyes. “Kate, I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Those words meant everything. Katie looked at him, her heart pounding, wishing he would tell her how he really felt, what this really meant. But he didn’t seem inclined to continue the conversation, and with a group of people surrounding her, she wasn’t comfortable with the discussion, either. Instead she gave him a breathtaking smile and whispered, “Of course.”

He held her closer, and Katie felt an overwhelming love for him. “Please God,” she whispered. “Please let him love me. I won’t ask for anything else, ever.”

As if in answer to her thoughts, Christopher bent down and kissed her hair. It wasn’t the response she was looking for, but it was a start.

The last guest finally left and Katie closed the door and turned to Christopher, utterly exhausted. “What time is it?” she questioned, feeling as if she would collapse in a heap right at that moment.

“About four,” Christopher replied. “It seems the party was a success.”

He took her hand, helping her up the stairs. He made her feel so special, so cared for, just like before. Katie sighed, then giggled.

“What?”

“I was just thinking. Who would have thought that Theodore and Patrick would hit it off so well? Teddy didn’t seem like the type to appreciate gardening, but he apparently raises roses. He found Paddy’s methods fascinating.”

Christopher grinned. “I know. And Gertrude seemed very relieved when I left her alone with her food. It seems that only Isabelle wanted her to be courted.”

“Don’t you dare mention that again,” Katie said, though her voice was filled with mirth. “The last thing I want to think about is you courting another woman.”

They entered her bedchamber and Katie sank down onto her comforter, enjoying the soft luxury of rest. Christopher came up behind her and indicated her stays.

“The maids are all abed. Can I help you?”

“Please.” Half rising, Katie turned her back to him, feeling the pressure of his hands as he expertly relieved her of the gown and undergarments.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?” Christopher whispered as he undid the laces of her stays, pressing a kiss along her spine.

Katie shivered, loving the feel of him against her bare skin. “No, not in so many words.”

“Well, you did.” Kissing her again and again, he pressed his mouth at each place where the laces came undone, down along her spine, until Katie was trembling. Holding her hair out of the way, she shivered with delight as he slipped his hands inside her dress, caressing her breasts until her nipples hardened beneath his palms.

Nearly shaking with suppressed want, Katie faced him and ran her fingers through his hair, wondering why, of all men, she loved him so deeply. Pulling his head down to hers, she whispered teasingly, “You looked lovely tonight, too. Especially dancing with Gertrude.”

There was just enough sincerity in her voice to make him look up at her. Katie was still smiling, but it was an uncertain smile. Christopher grinned, then pushed back her hair from her throat, kissing the nape of her neck enticingly.

“I wouldn’t talk. If I hadn’t thought Theodore was a confirmed bachelor, I would have been even more furious. As it was, I could barely contain myself.”

Katie caught her breath as he slipped her gown from her shoulders. Was he admitting he was jealous? His words penetrated her passion-cloaked mind, and she suddenly felt wonderful. Christopher had planned this. He had deliberately selected the man, knowing that Katie was safe with him. Hitting him playfully, she saw his look of surprise as he struggled out of his own clothes.

“That was terrible,” Katie said, though her mouth twitched with humor. “Asking poor Teddy to be my companion, when all along he didn’t want a wife.”

“I know.” Christopher came to her and enveloped her in his arms. His hot, muscular body felt wonderful against her own, and she gasped with pleasure as he pressed closer. “But I don’t think you had my best interests in mind when you selected Gertrude.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Katie asked, giggling as Christopher began to nuzzle her neck. Sweet sensations shot through her entire body, ending at the junction of her thighs. “Oh, my…” she whispered, trying to maintain the conversation. “I mean, Gertrude was what you wanted. Rich, well connected…”

“Katie.” Christopher growled, looking up at her. The intensity in his eyes made her shiver. “Let’s not talk about it again. Please.”

Nodding, she let him push the rest of her shift away, then melted in his arms as he purposefully aroused her. She had him back again.

And nothing else mattered.

Ella sank down into her bed, the cool sheets, the warm comforter. Her attorney sat at her side, frantically taking down each word as she coughed and struggled through every sentence. When she finished, he handed her the document, which she read and signed, indicating her approval. Then she lay back on her pillow, a strange contentment coming over her features.

“Is that all, Miss Pemberton?” the attorney questioned, seeing her exhaustion and air of finality.

“Yes,” Ella whispered, then opened her eyes once more. “I appreciate you coming all the way out here, Martin, especially at this time of night. But the changes to my will are crucial. You understand all my instructions?”

“I think so.” The attorney nodded, his expression sorrowful as he watched the older woman struggle for breath. “You know, Ella, many people feel worse than you and recover. I won’t have you giving up hope.”

“I haven’t.” Ella smiled at him, and she looked sixteen once more. “I am full of hope, Martin. I’m just not full of life anymore. But I need to make sure my wishes are carried out explicitly. You are clear on everything?”

“Yes.” Martin nodded again. “But you do know the Pembertons will not be happy.”

“I know.” Ella smiled, and if she felt bad about the idea, she certainly didn’t betray it. “I wish I could be here to see their faces. But promise me you will hold firm. They are a powerful family, Martin, and will try to sway you. Promise me.”

“I promise.” Martin packed up his papers and put on his coat. “No matter what they do, I’ll see your wishes are carried out.”

When he reached the door, Ella was seized with another coughing spell. Worried, Martin hesitated. “Would you like me to send for a doctor?”

“No.” Ella waved her hand. “Please. I just need some rest. I’m so tired these days. Thank you, Martin. Please send your bill.”

Dismissed, the man left, and Ella was alone. Waiting until the door closed, she gave herself up to the pain once more, letting it envelop her until she could hardly stand it. When it finally receded, she closed her eyes and dreamed.

She was young once more. The fields were green, and she ran through them, laughing, snatching up a bachelor button and holding its slender stalk between her fingers. She could smell the grass, clean and fresh, and hear the steady buzz of bees as they searched each flower for nectar. The air was filled with the sweet scent of summer, and the sky overhead was a robin’s-egg blue. It was beautiful, restless and clear, everything so intense. Then she saw him.

A young man waited for her, his body silhouetted against the sunlight. She wouldn’t forget that profile anywhere; it was engraved on her heart. The flower dropped from her hand and Ella ran into his arms. “Michael, is it you?” Tears flowed down her face, and when he caught her, lifting her high, she thought she would burst with joy.

“Yes, it’s me, Ella. I’ve come for you, as I once promised. You’ll never be tired again. You’ll never hurt again. You’ll be with me forever. Come.”

Ella looked back, wanting to say good-bye to Katie and Sean, but they weren’t with her. Smiling, she turned back to Michael and followed him through the field.

He was right. The pain was gone.

T
WENTY
-S
IX

^“
I
still can’t believe she’s dead,” Katie whispered to Christopher, holding his hand tightly as they slipped into the church.

Christopher nodded, unable to speak as they both stared at the coffin in front of the altar. Ella. Tears stung Katie’s eyes, but she wiped them away fiercely, knowing that Ella would not want her to grieve. As the minister began speaking Katie could only think of the day when Ella confessed that she had spent much of her life waiting for happiness.

Had she ever had a lover, a man who held her the way Christopher held Katie? A man who made her feel as if she were the most special woman in the world? Someone who had touched her hair, made her laugh, read her poems, and brought her flowers? Katie wished fervently that she had, for no one should pass through this life without love. And of all people, Ella deserved it the most.

May you rest in peace, Katie prayed, her throat tight with pain. My God, she loved her. And missed her.

It was as if her fairy godmother had disappeared. Strange, but she never seriously thought of anything happening to Ella, in spite of her age. The old woman was the family matriarch, a presence to be reckoned with, yet she was also kind and gentle, with a heart that Katie knew about firsthand.

Just yesterday she’d been playing with Sean. Katie had watched them in Ella’s kitchen, laughing as Ella indulged her son in making cookies, the two of them devouring much of the dough before it ever reached the oven. Sean adored the woman and never seemed to mind her admonishments concerning hand washing or bedtimes. He shared secrets with her, let her hold his frog, and allowed Ella to tutor him in everything from etiquette to mathematics.

Katie wanted to think that she had been able to give something back to Ella, in return for receiving so much. She knew she would be forever grateful to the woman for opening up this world to her and, best of all, giving her Christopher.

“To all who knew Ella Pemberton, she was a good woman. She gave to the church and the charities, was an important influence in the ladies’ clubs, and was a popular member of society.”

Katie had to repress a smile. How Ella would have hooted if she’d heard this eulogy! Apparently the minister had asked the family for a few words to say. The Pembertons knew less about their relative than they did the fly on the wallpaper. As Ella had once said, they were waiting for her to die.

And now that day had come.

The people began filing out of the church and Katie stepped behind the Pembertons. Grace turned toward her, her handkerchief knotted pathetically, and gave Katie a pointed look.

“I believe only family are permitted to the home after services,” Grace said sharply.

Katie gritted her teeth, but Christopher stepped before her and smiled charmingly.

“We understand that, Grace. But Martin Shuler asked that we join you. Apparently Ella considered Kate family and made some provision for her.”

Grace turned on her heel and stalked off while Stephen Pemberton looked at Christopher and shrugged apologetically. Katie wasn’t at all surprised. Grace had never been a fan of hers, and she knew the Pembertons intended to cut her off, now that Ella was gone.

Sean snuggled closer to her, his little hand moist as they stepped inside Ella’s house once more. Everything was so familiar and yet so strange, Katie thought. How was it possible that the curtains remained, the gaslights, the rich furnishings and portraits, yet Ella was gone? It was as if the very life force of this house had disappeared and could not be persuaded to return.

“Oh, ‘tis good to see your face, Kate. I still cannot believe it. She’s gone.” Eileen sobbed, and Kate took her hand comfortingly.

“I know. But you were good to her, Eileen. She’ll remember that.”

“Do you think so?” The housekeeper brightened, then wiped her eyes with her apron. “Thank you, Kate. I’d like to think that.” She indicated the hallway with a tilt of her head and her expression became sarcastic. “Her loving family are in there. Bastards! They’re like a pack of vultures. Go right in.”

The Pembertons were all waiting in the library. Kate and Christopher took a seat in the back of the room, neither acknowledged nor appreciated by the company. Truthfully Katie didn’t care. The Pembertons were a cold, cruel family, and she was just as relieved to be rid of them.

Martin paged through his papers, then looked up at the family. His eyes flickered for a moment when Grace wailed plaintively, then he looked to Kate and Christopher, an odd smile on his face.