“But you will be part of it, as everyone is to stay in the castle tonight… for the next few nights actually, until after the wedding.”
“I will return to Oak’s Knoll.”
“Why?”
He sighed. “So many questions.”
“You joined me under here—I did not ask you to.”
“You are a mouthy woman.”
“Who states her mind.”
“And that.”
“Did you enjoy meeting your sisters, Rory?”
He sighed again. “I didn’t want to.”
“But you did? Because they are of your blood and have suffered in their own way as you have,” Kate said.
“I know some of their suffering, can you give me more details?” Those golden eyes were deadly serious.
“That is their story to tell.”
“But you are a woman and therefore like to gossip, surely?”
“That’s insulting.”
“I know, but I was only teasing you.” He touched her chin softly. “I liked them very much, Kate, as I know Maddie would also.”
She felt his pain and indecision. Felt the turmoil that was going on inside him. Kate had no idea what it would be like to suddenly find siblings you never knew you had and an estranged brother.
“And I see you have met your nieces and nephews also?”
His smile was small but genuine.
“Children have no understanding of things that have been. They are just what we see and deserve to be treated as such.”
“Yes.”
“They knew who I was, so it stands to reason they were curious about me.”
“Is that why you ended up carrying Meredith around, who is not a niece, with Isabella pressed to your legs?”
He said nothing in answer to that, clearly uncomfortable.
“Yes, well. I must go, it would not do for someone to see us here.”
“But we are family.” He grabbed her arm as she started to move.
“We are not. There is no blood tie between us.”
He turned her chin so their eyes meet. They caught and held, and she felt it again, that wonderful little kick to her stomach.
“Forgive me for hurting you, Kate.”
She nodded.
