David’s ribs constricted, squeezing his heart anew as he considered all that she had suffered of late all on her own. That was a friend’s role, after all. Protector and supporter. David hadn’t been able to protect her from her parents’ machinations, and now she wouldn’t allow him to comfort her through those trials, either.
Drawing in a sharp breath, David clenched his jaw and leaned forward, urging his mount back into a gallop. Benjamin followed, though he strained to keep up as the two tore across the hills surrounding Greater Edgerton. Only when the pair were both well and truly exhausted did they return to Whitley Court.
Despite the speckles of dirt and mud coating his riding jacket and breeches and the ripe smell of horse enveloping him, David approached the house and asked after Miss Leigh—who was still not at home. Nor was she anywhere to be found the next morning. And the following afternoon, she was resting and not to be disturbed. A visit to Mrs. Kitts was the next excuse given, though when David lingered along the path Miss Leigh would’ve taken home, she never appeared. Then a megrim made it impossible for her to meet him in the parlor.
Had it been her mother or his, David wouldn’t have questioned the excuses; those ladies were forever flitting about town or laid low by dramatics and frail constitutions. However, it was a miracle Miss Leigh hadn’t expired with all the various maladies afflicting her of late.
And when the maid stood before him with yet another excuse, David stared at the girl.
“Smallpoxandscarlet fever?” he asked in a monotone.
“Yes, sir. She said she is suffering from a bout of both,” she said with a bob, her voice quivering. “And a touch of consumption.”
David huffed and nodded at the maid, turning on his heel. As he strode out the front door and glanced back at the house, he saw the curtains flutter at her bedchamber window. Even a fool would understand Miss Leigh’s dismissal, but she was the greater fool if she believed he would surrender.
If she was truly set against him, he would respect that. Miss Leigh was not one to mince words and would tell him to leave her be if she truly wished it, but he recognized this behavior easily enough. However, he didn’t know what he’d done to damage her trust; he would simply have to think of a way to lure her out.
The corner of her curtains pulled back, just enough for a set of brown eyes to peek out at him from her bedchamber window. David met her gaze and lifted his hat to dip into a deep bow. When he straightened, she was gone.
Turning on his heel, he marched down the drive, the gravel crunching beneath his heels as a vague outline of a plan formed in his mind.
Chapter 25
Whilst walking the streets of Greater Edgerton, there were plenty of subjects that could occupy Katherine’s thoughts. The streets were clogged with people and commerce, all vying for attention as they wove down the lane. Movement and sound surrounded her, offering plenty of distractions, but as her feet trudged along the pavement, Katherine couldn’t turn her thoughts from spiders.
In her younger years, she had nursed an interest in nature and read many books on the subject. Though she’d abandoned it soon after, her efforts had stuffed her mind with an assortment of tidbits concerning the world around her, including those eight-legged pests.
Katherine couldn’t stand the creatures when they crossed her path in the real world, but from the confines of a book, they were fascinating. Despite having seen plenty of examples, she still found it impossible to believe they were able to weave such delicate webs, stretching out to trap their prey.
And at present, she felt a close kinship to the flies and insects trapped in their sticky embrace. Of course, those poor things didn’t see the web until they were held tight, and Katherine was well aware of the one she was walking into.
Pausing on the street corner, she watched as crowds passed her by. Carts filled with goods of every sort lumbered by, whilst riders and coachmen attempted to navigate around the hulking beasts. There were no vendors in this area, and Katherine rather thought the air seemed empty without their cries drawing in potential customers—though there was a bakery a street over, pouring the heavenly scent of baked breads and sweet things into the air. Perhaps she ought to stop and enjoy a treat.
Shaking herself free of that thought, Katherine continued on her way, weaving between the people and vehicles. To dawdle would only increase the possibility of being caught in Mr. Archer’s well-laid trap, though she was fairly certain she wouldn’t escape. Not indefinitely, at any rate. The enticement was too great, and they both knew it.
Katherine clutched her reticule and felt the crinkle of paper. Bringing the note was entirely unnecessary, but she hadn’t been able to leave it behind. Just to be certain.
As it was unseemly to call on a bachelor and she hardly knew the rest of his family, Katherine had never visited Stratsfield House before—though she knew its precise location. Weaving down the streets, she moved deeper into town. She hesitated only a moment before she knocked on the front door.
“Yes, miss?” asked the maidservant as she opened the door.
Katherine’s throat tightened. Ought she to present the maid with the letter? Or simply state her business there? Despite having settled on doing the latter, she found it difficult to form the words. But she forced herself to speak.
“I am Miss Katherine Leigh.”
The girl’s eyes brightened, and she bobbed. “Yes, of course, miss.”
Ushering her in, the maid divested Katherine of her bonnet, gloves, and cloak before leading her down a corridor and up a set of stairs. Pushing open a door, the maid led her into a drawing room with a few high-back chairs scattered around the edge of the empty space.
In one corner sat a piano, and Katherine stepped closer, her hands resting atop the polished lid. It was not as fine as her family’s had been (for though Mama couldn’t play well herself, it wouldn’t do to have an inferior instrument residing in her home), but as her hand drifted across the silky wood and touched the keys, she knew the Archers’ piano was clearly well maintained. Plinking a single note, she listened as it rang through the silent house.
“Mr. Archer said you were to have free use whenever you wish and are not to be disturbed, miss. He had it tuned and polished for you,” said the maid. Then, motioning to the far wall, she added, “And should you wish for any refreshment, simply give the bell a pull.”
Katherine nodded, for she was certainly unable to speak. The door closed behind the servant, leaving her alone. Having spent a fortnight avoiding Mr. Archer, it was strange to be standing in his family’s home. It was thoroughly selfish to ignore the gentleman and then immediately accept his invitation, but Katherine hadn’t the strength to deny the pull of the instrument. Sitting herself before it, she let one hand drift across the smooth surface of the keys.
For all that she’d seized control over her feelings, Katherine couldn’t help the prickle in her eyes as she dropped her reticule to the floor and raised both hands. Despite trusting Mr. Archer’s note, her hope had been too fragile for Katherine to bring music with her and tempt fate. Thankfully, she had enough of a repertoire in her head that she didn’t require the sheets.
Beginning with a few easier compositions, Katherine allowed her fingers to acclimate to the new instrument. For all that every piano boasted the same eighty-eight keys across roughly the same keyboard, each instrument had its own touch, and it was not always easy to adapt to the different feel.
