“Now, miss? Today?”
“As soon as I have obtained a post chaise. Just throw everything into the boxes, and we can sort out the mess later, for I cannot stay another moment in this house of wickedness.”
***
Theleavessurroundingthehouse had all turned, that was Katherine’s first, irrelevant thought. In the month she had been gone, the trees had been transformed from a green only lightly tinged with brown to full-blown gold and red and orange, some branches already almost bare. But otherwise, Cathcart House was unchanged, its familiar façade bringing tears to her eyes. Here at least she would be safe!
The family was still at breakfast, so they were all there, pouring out of the house with bewildered expressions to greet her.
“Katherine, dear! Whatever has happened?” Aunt Cathcart cried, as James strode forward to hand her down from the chaise before the footman could reach it.
“I could not stay any longer,” Katherine said. Then, seeing the concern on their faces, she added, “Do not be alarmed, I am quite well. Everyone is well.”
Divesting herself of her bonnet and pelisse, she allowed her aunt to shepherd her into the breakfast parlour, the rest of the family crowding in behind them.
“Now, dear, tell us all about it,” her aunt said, in such gentle, sympathetic tones that Katherine burst into tears, and it was some minutes before she could compose herself sufficiently to speak.
“Mr William Ryker was staying with his aunt. I believe I said as much in my last letter. He seemed… he seemed… but last night… he offered me insult. And… and Mrs Ryker saw nothing wrong in it and would not send him away, and I could not stay so I came home.” Then, seeing consternation in her aunt’s face, she added, “But if you do not wish me to stay, I can go to Branton… I have friends who—”
“We are very glad to have you back with us,” Uncle Cathcart said firmly.
“Of course,” Aunt Cathcart said quickly. “But we thought you were settled. It seemed to be working out well, and I cannot believe that Mrs Ryker would permit you to be…insultedunder her roof. Is it possible that you may have misunderstood?”
Katherine lifted her chin. “I do not know what there is to misunderstand about a man entering my bedroom in a state of undress at midnight,” she snapped.
“Did he touch you?” James said sharply. “Did he hurt you in any way?”
“No. Thank you, but I am unharmed. I had Daisy with me, and she set about him with the bolster and I took up the poker, and between us we drove him out of the room. But there was no key for the lock on my door, and I could not obtain an assurance that the event would not be repeated, and Mrs Ryker would not ask her nephew to leave — she said I should not make a fuss! As if I could possibly agree to such a thing, so I hired a post chaise from the inn and came away. But if it is inconvenient—”
“Katherine, dear,” Uncle Cathcart said, “you have a home with us whenever and for as long as you need one. We are delighted to have you back.”
“We have missed your playing at the instrument,” James said. “The house is so quiet without you.”
“Oh! My music!” Katherine said fretfully. “In my haste to leave, I have left my music behind, that the Athertons were at such pains to bring to me. How vexing! But at least I still have most of my collection. Aunt, may I go to my room now? If I still have a room, that is.”
“Of course, dear. What a trying time you have had of it. Come, now, I will see that everything is in order for you, and then perhaps a tray in your room with some breakfast, and a little sleep? You look exhausted.”
Upstairs, Aunt Cathcart chased out the maids hastily making up the bed, and the footmen with the travel boxes, and sat Katherine down on the chaise longue by the window.
“Now, my dear, tell me the truth — did he touch you at all?”
“No.”
“Not even briefly?” She shook her head. “That is something, then. And when you say he was in a state of undress… shirtsleeves? Neckcloth unfastened?”
“In his nightshirt, aunt.”
Her aunt’s intake of breath was audible. “No robe?”
“Just a nightshirt, bare feet, bare head. He brought a bottle of wine and two glasses, just as if— Well, I do not know what he was thinking. He said he wanted to talk to me, but that is ridiculous. At midnight!”
“That is quite disgraceful! I hope you know that I would never, ever have sent you there had I not supposed… I thought he might make a good husband for you, to be honest. Audrey told me he was keen, and looking for a suitable girl, someone quiet and well-mannered. Well, it seemed ideal, for Audrey has a hundred thousand and he will have the lot, in time. And such an agreeable situation for you, or so I thought. Audrey seemed such a pleasant, sensible person.”
“Oh, she is… was… in every other way. Aunt, I understand what you were trying to do for me, putting me in a situation where I could feel comfortable… with someone who is from the same sort of background as I am, and it was lovely at first. I missed you all, of course, but Mrs Ryker was so easy to be with, and let me help in the kitchen, and even the meals… she ordered good, plain dinners, just what I was used to in Branton. I truly thought it would suit me very well. Untilhearrived.”
“But you had Daisy with you, I think you said, so you must have had some inkling that he was not a gentleman.”
“It was the way he looked at me, making me feel… oh, I cannot explain it. I did not like it at all. It made my skin crawl, and then his bedroom was right next to mine.”
