***
In only a few short weeks, Stratsfield House’s drawing room had undergone a brilliant transformation. Most families kept that room relatively empty, allowing it to transform into any sort of space they required without much effort. Without sofas and armchairs, it was simple enough for it to become a ballroom. Bring in a few chairs and tables, and it was a card room. Or a music room. As the parlor was the place for comfort when entertaining, it made sense to leave the drawing room for the formal evenings.
However, Mrs. Archer was a lover of music. Katherine wouldn’t call the lady a connoisseur, but Mrs. Archer adored hearing the family’s piano brought to life under Katherine’s fingertips. And so, the drawing room had slowly transformed into something between drawing room and parlor. A sofa and armchair were placed to one side of the room, far enough from the instrument that Katherine couldn’t see if anyone listened to her, but allowing Mrs. Archer and her daughters to sit in comfort during their informal concerts.
Katherine’s hand rested on the polished wood of the pianoforte. The light from the windows glinted off the mirrored surface, highlighting the beautiful grain that wove through the multi-hued browns. But as much as she would miss the feel of the keys and the clear quality of the notes, it was their company and acceptance she would regret losing the most.
Only a few weeks, and yet her time here had become such a significant part of her day. She doubted Mr. Archer knew just how much time she spent in Stratsfield House. Orhadspent.
Gently, she set the lid down, closing the pianoforte up tight. No one was likely to use it in the near future, and Katherine couldn’t help but feel saddened by that thought, but there was nothing to be done about it. Even if she could fit it in her cottage, the instrument belonged with the Archers.
She brushed one final touch across the top and turned to the stacks of sheet music in the box beside it. A more intelligent person would’ve kept theirs separate, but in all her visions of the future, she hadn’t anticipated needing a quick departure. And so, she was left to comb through each book and sheet to separate hers from the Archers’.
For all that she knew she ought to move quickly, her traitorous heart kept stopping to recall some memory tied to the compositions, and her gaze kept drifting to the empty seats, seeing the family gathered round.
Foolish girl. Drawing in a deep breath, she forced her thoughts to what needed to be done. Benjamin would do his best, but he was no miracle worker, and Mr. Archer was bound to discover her here if she wasn’t careful. It would’ve been wiser to wait until he wasn’t here, but ss one cursed with poor luck, she knew having the rest of the Archers absent was the best she could hope for.
Gathering the sheets close, Katherine turned to find Mr. Archer standing in the doorway. She felt the void gaping between them, deeper and darker than before. For all that he looked like the man she’d known for so long, she couldn’t see her friend there any longer.
“I pay my staff handsomely, and despite asking them to inform me the moment you arrive at Stratsfield House, I find they ignored my wishes,” he said with a wry smile. “Clearly, they prefer you over me.”
Katherine clutched the music tight to her chest, her chin lifting a fraction, and Mr. Archer held up his hands in placation.
“I apologize,” he said with a wince. “I should know better than to attempt humor in weighty situations, but I fear I cannot help myself—even when they always come out wrong.”
And even that was spoken with a hint of amusement. The edges of her music books dug into Katherine’s arms, and she moved not an inch as she stared at him through half-lidded eyes. Mr. Archer stood there, blocking the door.
“I—” he began, and the sound spurred her to move. With quick steps, Katherine crossed the room and reached the other exit, but Mr. Archer proved himself quite spry and was there before she could step through.
“Please, Miss Leigh—”
“I do not wish to hear your excuses, Mr. Archer,” she said with a shake of her head. “Whatever you wish to explain, it matters not. Please, let me through.”
“What about an apology? Surely that is important?” And once more, he attempted a wry tone and awkward grin.
“There is no need to apologize, Mr. Archer. Everyone has the right to feel as they wish, so you needn’t apologize for feeling disgusted with our…” Katherine’s teeth clicked together as her jaw snapped shut, and she felt like scowling as she stumbled over the word. It was a kiss. Only a kiss! No reason for her cheeks to blaze like a midsummer’s day.
“Disgusted?” Mr. Archer gaped, his brows knitting together.
“Do not deny it, sir,” she said, tipping up her chin. “I saw the truth in your gaze that night. You were repulsed.”
Katherine forced herself not to wince as her voice trembled at that last word. Whatever others might believe of those wilting wallflowers who haunted the edges of society, she refused to allow herself to be cowed by anyone—let alone her own heart.
Yet the memory of his expression surfaced in her thoughts once more. Mr. Archer’s gaze filled her, the bare and unmistakable regret shining within his dark eyes. And her heart cracked further.
Chapter 38
Only the strongest display of willpower allowed David to remain where he was. His hands shook as Miss Leigh stood there, the picture of strength and invulnerability. He’d seen her in such a pose so many times before, for it was her favorite when facing down the villains in her life. And like all those other times, he saw the truth in her gaze.
No tears would fall from Katherine Leigh’s eyes, but that didn’t diminish the pain in those brown depths, and David’s own grew misty as his heart twisted in his chest, squeezing in on itself.
He had done this to her. Made her feel unwanted. Rejected. Despised. What had been an awakening for him had left her feeling like that poor discarded little girl who’d spent her life hoping for a morsel of affection from her selfish parents and blind siblings.
“Katherine,” he whispered, her name coming easily to his lips, but she stiffened, that defiant chin lifting even further. Holding up placating hands, he amended, “Miss Leigh, I was in no way repulsed or disgusted—”
“Disappointed, then,” she said with a huff and turned on her heel toward the other door out of the drawing room, but David scurried around, stepping in front of her. “But I assure you, the sentiment was clear enough, and even a plain spinster doesn’t care to be embraced by a disappointed man—”
“Do not speak of yourself in such a manner!” David couldn’t help the sharpness of the words. They came to his lips with such a pulse of strength that radiated through him, and he couldn’t moderate them in the slightest. They were fueled by a fire that had been simmering for so long, kindled by every unkind word others spoke of her—even those she spouted about herself.
