I remember Steele’s words about Katherine’s carriage looking stained with garbage. What if she’s been hurt? Is that why she’s not here?
“Sleep well, Torrance.”
“Godspeed, Carew. The medical world needs you and Scarlett.”
My wise physician leaves. The door closes with a gentle thud. I settle deeper into my pillow, but stare at the closet.
I won’t solve Katia’s problems by waiting for her to come to me. Resigning myself to the possibility that my helping her will be perceived as interfering or commanding, I rise. I prepare to be misunderstood, to anger her.
To protect her, I’ll again be her villain.
Chapter 25
JAHLEEL—SERVING THEMISTRESS
Giving a slight tap to the connecting door in my closet, I wait for Katherine to answer.
“Katherine?”
No answer. I knock again. I hear a moan.
“That sounds like an invitation.” I take a deep breath, tug the door, and press into her room.
No candle or sconce holds flame; the room is cast into pitch blackness.
My mind swims back to the river where we spent our forty-day wedding trip. We shut the world out, left everyone the scantest of notes, and ran away to live decadently and unapologetically, barefoot and wild.
She moans again.
“Katherine, are you well? It’s so dark in here I can’t see you.”
“The bet. I failed.”
“Forget the bet in here. This is your room, your territory. If you want me to go, I’ll leave. I just had to hear your voice and know you’re well. But I’d love to see your face.”
A match strikes. A spark of light catches a wick. “My rules. No getting upset.”
Swallowing hard, I brace against the threshold molding. “Your rules. I am your servant.”
The dim light exposes an undesirable, desirable vision. Katherine’sdraped in a jet-colored mourning robe. Though it swallows her and follows her curves, it doesn’t hide her face and the bruises. She’s been attacked.
My pulse races. I want to be calm and reasonable, but I’m barely holding onto reason. “Who hurt you? I demand to know!”
The light snuffs. “You saw me. Please don’t be upset.”
“Katherine.” I try to keep my tone under control. I’ve mastered sitting with evil men calling me and my parents all kinds of names. I held my composure while plotting their downfalls. Not one suspected that my blood boiled and I’d have revenge.
But I can’t hide this rage burning me up. “Katherine. I asked who did this? Give me a name. Let me deal with them.”
“Your Grace, I must’ve fallen asleep.”
I nod like I understand her babbles, but I’m enraged. “I can’t be in here, Katia, if I am of no use to you.”
The candle lights again. “Don’t go. Please don’t.”
I’m lulled by her simple command. Standing close to her bedside table, I say, “Talk to me, Katia.”
“You said my rules. I don’t want to talk.”
