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She pressed Nan’s hand to her cheek. “As I love you, Nan. Thank you.” She could say no more or her tears would spill over.
It was a warm night and the quarter moon exceptionally bright. Neither she nor Sadie said a word, the soft sounds of their footfalls blending in with the noises of the night. The walk through the woods was, as expected, uneventful. Catherine had spent countless nights wandering through their lands without fear. Quite the contrary. The darkened forest always brought her peace, so she was reasonably calm again as she approached the doors of Stratton Hall. Here she was safe. Here she was truly loved. Sadie pushed open the door, and they stepped inside, trying not to disturb anyone.
“I shall go up and ensure your bedding is fresh,” Sadie said, taking Catherine’s shawl and bonnet and heading through the doors, toward the stairs.
Catherine moved into the old hall, drawn, as always, to the buck who held dominion over the room. “Well, what say you, old man? Gloating, are you? Did you know it from the start? Know that I was a green lass in love with a fantasy?” He said nothing, his shape barely visible in the moonlight shining through the windows. “Come on. Nothing to say at all? About the fool who loved a man who…” She choked, unable to finish.
“Catherine?”
Her father’s silhouette stood in the doorway, blocking the light from the hallway beyond.
“Catherine?” he repeated, his baritone voice deep with concern. The dark shape shifted, and his arms opened wide.
“Papa,” she cried, running into his embrace, his strong arms enveloping her, wrapping her in love. Love she needed so desperately.
“Oh, kitten. Hush now, hush.” He brushed her hair with kisses. “You’re home now.”
She relaxed in his arms and released the flood of tears. Home. Just not the home of her dreams.
