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Kate shook her head and attempted to recover her composure, to no avail. ‘It is all too much, sir,’ she managed.
Lt. Alden patted her hand. ‘There, there, my lady. I can imagine you must feel overwhelmed. But we shall have you with your uncle and aunt in no time, and with a good night’s sleep, everything will appear more manageable in the morning.’
With that he clicked the reins and the gig lurched forward. Lt. Alden said no more as they drove, allowing Kate to have her cry uninterrupted.
Kate’s mind was in a flutter of agitation. She knew not which thought to pursue. Images of the day assailed her: Frances the servant and her story. Lord Inverley’s severe countenance. Lady Inverley’s distress. And throughout, Lord Thorburn. His handsome features. His concern for her. Without Lord Thorburn, she would have been forced to remain at Inverley. She might have found Patrick, perhaps, and given him a message for her uncle and aunt before he took the cart home. But she was greatly relieved that it had not come to that.
I owe Lord Thorburn a debt of gratitude.
Her tears subsided, and a great weariness took their place. Kate slumped back into the seat, her hands folded on her lap. Still Lt. Alden required no conversation of her, for which she was thankful.
My uncle. Lieutenant Alden is my uncle.
How peculiar.
And Lord Inverley...is my father.
I rather think he’s horrid.
Kate closed her eyes. The earl had been shocked and disconcerted, she reminded herself. He might not be so disagreeable under normal circumstances.
And I suppose I shall see him again, under such circumstances as those and others as well...how very strange to think how much my life has changed, in a matter of minutes, today.
I am an earl’s daughter.
What shall happen next?
Panic made her eyes fly open, and she stared at the darkening sky.
He shall send for me. I am certain of it. He shall demand that I live at Inverley.
Tears pricked her eyes again, and she pressed the damp handkerchief to her mouth.
All my life I dreamt of escape—of leaving the farm behind me forever. And now that I face doing so in reality, I find that I cannot bear the thought!
They made good time, as the roads were dry and solid, but ’twas close to midnight when they arrived, nonetheless.
Lt. Alden assisted Kate in descending from the gig as the door of the farmhouse swung open and her uncle burst out.
‘By heaven, what happened?’ he cried as he ran to her side.
Kate knew not where to begin.
‘Were you injured? Where is Patrick? Who is this gentleman?’ Uncle John asked.
‘Pardon my intrusion,’ Lt. Alden said. ‘Perhaps I may explain?’
Kate gave him a grateful look, and Uncle John nodded, then seemed to remember his manners. ‘Please come in,’ he said. ‘We shall have a cup of tea.’
Soon the three of them were seated in the sitting room, holding cups. Kate thought she had had enough tea for a lifetime.
She listened as Lt. Alden relayed the revelations that had taken place at Inverley hours before, the heavy sense of weariness which had descended upon her in the gig increasing to the point that she could not imagine standing up again to make her way to bed.
‘So you see, everyone was most disquieted and upset,’ Lt. Alden was saying. ‘And I am afraid it was some time before we thought to take your niece home, sir.’
Uncle John was sitting with is mouth hanging open slightly, blinking as though dazed.
‘I am most thankful to you for your assistance,’ Kate said to Lt. Alden.
