[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
can handle any crisis."
"But I'm a..."
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Don't say that
word. Some of the bloody kings of England were bastards,
too. So you're in good company."
167
Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
She squeezed her hands tight.
"You're a fine, upstanding lady. You have a penchant for
mischief, but so do the MacClarron girls. I'll pay for your trip
and offer you return fare in case it doesn't work out. We'll say
you're a distant cousin or some such story."
She swallowed hard. "How can I turn down such a
handsome offer?"
Oliver paused for a moment, lighting his pipe. The fragrant
smoke encircled his head. "One more thing, Miss Cameron,
before you make a final decision. You should know I plan on
dragging Myles along with us. That boy needs to learn to live
up to his mistakes. Apologizing to his sister is a good start."
He blew another smoke ring. "Myles is a dashing rogue..."
She raised her hand. "I understand. I'm not worthy of
him."
"On the contrary, my dear. At this point, I doubt the lad is
worthy of you."
Oliver rose and, crossing the room, he opened the door to
find Henry waiting with a tray of tea. Henry followed him in,
sat the tray on the only clean spot on the table, and began
filling the teacups.
"I'm taking a trip," Lord Stratten said. "Roland is
recovering from his injuries at Myles's house. When he feels
better, see that he returns here. No duties, until Dr. Holmes
thinks it's wise."
"But, sir, do you think you're up to this adventure?"
"No choice ... this situation with Serenity demands my
immediate attention. If it had been handled properly in the
first place, this trip would not be necessary."
168
Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
The softly spoken rebuke rang out loud and clear. Henry
paled.
Fiona nervously accepted the tea, hoping she didn't make
any etiquette blunders. Taking a sip, she wondered if it were
possible to make a new start in Kansas where no one knew
her. Her gaze traveled to Lord Stratten, who was shuffling
through the papers on his desk. She would make him proud.
Her behavior would be beyond reproach. Now she had to stay
away from Myles Springfield. The man could tempt the
resolve of a saint.
* * * *
Dry Gulch, Kansas
Serenity leaned on the doorjamb just inside their bedroom
closet. She had thought the Holts would never leave. Oh, how
could she have let Mrs. MacClarron talk her into coming here?
With an exasperated sigh, she hurled another one of Katrina's
petticoats at the growing pile on the bed. Hands on hips, she
stared at the partially empty closet. A sense of remorse for
her rash actions swept over her.
She wondered why it bothered her so much to have
Katrina's dresses still hanging beside Collin's shirts. Maybe it
was because they were a constant reminder of the things
Katrina was that she could never be. The other woman held a
place in Collin's heart she could never hope to gain. That
knowledge hurt. In frustration, she pulled down another
dress, tossing it over her shoulder.
She couldn't blame Mr. Holt for mistrusting her. After all,
she was taking on an important role in his granddaughters'
169
Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
lives. Serenity knew Mrs. Holt had meant well when she
grilled her about her experience with children and past life.
But that didn't make it sting any less.
It was one more painful reminder she would never belong
here. Never before had she felt so all alone and lost. She
wished for the familiar comfort of her old brick house, where
she had her own quiet spot to read. She missed playing the
piano every night. She wanted to be in her father's study
where she escaped to work. She needed the satisfaction of
doing a job at which she excelled. Not belonging anywhere
was eating her up inside.
Glancing down at the dress in her hands, she realized that
putting her belongings in the closet represented staking a
claim here. With all her misgivings about this marriage, did
she really have a right to do that? If she overturned her
father's will, then she would have to return to New York and
run Springfield Textile Mills. She might be able to train Myles,
but that could take months or even years. Collin deserved a
full-time wife.
How could she leave when the girls needed her? Yet, how
could she stay and let Myles ruin everything she had worked
so hard to keep together? Didn't she owe it to her father's
workers to make sure Myles didn't gamble away their
livelihood? Was insinuating herself in the MacClarrons' lives
setting the girls up for an even greater hurt when she left?
Now, looking at Katrina's clothes and personal belongings all
laid out across the floral bedspread, Serenity realized she
might have made a grave error in judgment.
170
Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Heavy, measured footsteps made her freeze with one of
Katrina's dresses ready to fly from her hands. She looked up
to see Collin standing rock still in the doorway. Serenity knew
she had overstepped her bounds at that moment. Collin
silently entered the room. Even without words, Serenity could
feel his anger radiating toward her. He just stood there,
staring at his dead wife's things. She wished he would shout
or something. The cold silence was ten times worse than a
tongue-lashing.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]