“Is there not some way you can convince him you are telling the truth?”
“I don’t know, Rena. Once trust has been lost, I am not sure if it is possible to win it back.”
* * * *
Four days before Christmas Oliver sent servants running about the house to gather the whole family in the great hall. Serena had been playing the pianoforte while Katherine read in the drawing room. Nicholas and Pamela were summoned from their lessons.
When they were all assembled, Oliver demanded that they put on their coats for a walk down to the stables.
“Are we going for a drive, Papa,” Nicholas asked, “instead of studying?’’
“I do not intend to answer any questions,” Oliver replied. “Just come with me.”
They trooped in a little group down the drive to the main stables, holding their cloaks tightly against a brisk northerly wind. Oliver stopped inside the main doors where Henderson was holding the lead of an unfamiliar horse.
“This mare has just arrived, Pamela,” Oliver said. “According to the note that came with her, she is a birthday present for you.”
Pamela stared in awe at the coal-black horse with four white stockings and a symmetrical star on her forehead. It was an actual horse—a full-sized horse—not a pony. She walked forward, reaching out a hand to touch her wonderful present and exclaiming, “For me? Oh, Uncle Oliver, what a wonderful, wonderful present! Thank you ever so much!”
Turning her back on the horse, she rushed into Oliver’s arms and hugged as much of him as she could.
“Wait a minute, miss,” Oliver protested. “This gift is not from me. She has come all the way from Scotland. There is a note. Listen:
“Culkaldy Castle, Fife
Dear Pamela,
So impressed was I by your riding last summer that I have decided you need a mount equal to your skill. I found this beautiful little mare at a horse fair in Dunfermline. I took one look at her and knew she was exactly the horse for you. Her former owner called her Black Star, which, though simple, does seem to suit her. I will be home by the end of January and will hope that by then you and she will be great friends.
With love on your birthday,
Your Father”
Nick’s voice cut through all of the exclamations of pleasure over Pamela’s new horse. “Why does Pamela get a present before Christmas? It is not Christmas yet, is it, Papa?”
Oliver scooped up his son and set him on the new mare’s back. “No, Nick. It is not Christmas yet. But this is not a Christmas present. Tomorrow is Pamela’s birthday, remember? This is her birthday present. But you know, now that Pamela has a new horse, maybe she would be willing to let you have her pony. You have always liked him. What do you say, Pam?”
Nick’s face broke into a pleased grin when Pamela readily acquiesced to this scheme.
While Pamela demanded of Serena if she had ever seen four stockings so evenly matched, Katherine smiled. Less than a year ago when she had asked Ned if Pamela admired horses, he had replied that he could not say. Now, far away in the wilds of Scotland, he had remembered his daughter with a special gift. Katherine wondered what other thoughts occupied his mind during this time of solitude he had sentenced himself to.
* * * *
Christmas passed with as much festivity as the household could manage in the face of Rudley’s continued absence. Mrs. Simpson labored for days over tarts and sweets that she knew the children would enjoy. The whole family partook of a sumptuous Christmas Eve dinner, after which Oliver invited all the servants into the dining room to toast the holiday.
Several weeks earlier Serena had received an invitation from Rudley’s sister, the Countess Finley, to attend a house party at her home in Buckinghamshire. At first opposed to the idea, Serena had finally yielded to her sister’s entreaty.
“I do not need you, Rena. The baby is not due for more than two months and you plan to be gone two weeks.”
“I will only be a few hours away,” Serena assured Katherine on the morning of her departure.
“Go. Enjoy yourself. You are young; you deserve to have a good time. And remember, Lady Finley will be your chaperone as well as your hostess. Be certain you attend to her in all things.”
“Yes,
Mother,”
Serena mocked lightly as she hugged her sister good-bye and allowed Kendall to assist her into the coach.
“Thank you, Peter, for taking her,” Katherine said. “I know she will travel safely in your care.’’
He surprised her considerably when he took her cold fingers in his and said seriously, “We will be fine, my lady. You just see that
you
take care of yourself. I should be back tomorrow afternoon.”
Then, saying nothing further, he climbed into the coach, and it set off down the drive.
That night, as a steady rain fell, the temperature dropped below freezing. Sleet, driven by high wind, beat against the windows. By daylight the storm’s damage was all too evident. The weight of the ice had stripped countless branches from the trees. In the park several entire trees had been toppled, one of which had fallen directly across the main carriage drive.
Kendall returned as promised in the afternoon. He reported that he had left Serena safely in Lady Finley’s hands.
On the following day the men were still hard at work trying to clear the carriage drive. Katherine stood looking out the salon window; she could see that they had pulled the last of the tree to the side of the road but would be busy cutting it up for some days to come.
As Katherine turned from the window, she felt a sharp, sudden twinge. Startled, she stood perfectly still, holding her breath. The sensation went away as quickly as it had come, but a few moments later she felt another, stronger pain. She was only in her seventh month—too early for labor pains. She pulled the bell rope and a footman immediately opened the door.
“Yes, my lady?”
“Will you send Mrs. Windom to me and send someone for Mr. Seaton. Quickly, Gordon, please.”
Oliver arrived moments later. Entering the salon, he took one look at Katherine’s white face and asked, “Is it the child?” She nodded assent as he took two quick steps back to the door. “Gordon, send one of the grooms for Dr. Bailey. Tell him to hurry.” He returned to Katherine and asked, “What is it?”
“I am not certain. Labor pains, I think. But, Oliver, it is too soon!”
“Let us wait to see what the doctor has to say. Come, I am going to carry you upstairs. Put your arm around my neck.”
He lifted her gently and easily in his arms. They met Mrs. Windom in the hall and she hurried ahead to turn down Katherine’s bed.
Katherine was frightened and in pain but trying bravely not to show it. Foremost in her mind was the thought that she
could not
lose Ned’s baby. It was the part of him that she had clung to during all the months he had been away—the only thing that had cheered her through the darkest, bleakest days. Whether he believed it or not, it was his child, a child already beloved by her.
When the doctor arrived, Oliver retreated to the estate office, where he found Kendall pacing the floor.
“Her ladyship?” he asked.
“The doctor has arrived,” Oliver replied, “but Katherine thinks she is in labor.’’
“We need to send a message to Lord Rudley.”
“My God, Kendall, he is in Scotland! Do you know how long that will take?”
“But he is not in Scotland. I had a letter from him yesterday. He arrived in London four days ago. He wanted to be back for the opening of Parliament.”
“Then we must write. But what do we say?”
The two men waited another twenty minutes, but it seemed like hours before the doctor came to them. They listened carefully to Dr. Bailey’s diagnosis, and when the doctor left to return to his patient, Oliver summoned Reeves. “Dr. Bailey wishes us to fetch the midwife. Also, send Henderson to me immediately and have him bring his best rider with him.”
As Reeves went to do his bidding, Oliver pulled a piece of writing paper forward and dipping his quill, began a note to his brother. He had just finished sealing it when Henderson and his companion arrived. He wasted no words. “It is imperative that Lord Rudley receive this letter without delay. Is this your best rider, Henderson?”
“Yes, Mr. Oliver, this is Tom Smithe.”
“Very well, Tom. You are to leave immediately on the strongest horse we have, excluding Tortuga. Which would that be, Henderson?”
“That would be your own black, Mr. Oliver.”
“Take the black, Tom, and do not spare him. Make the best time you can while there is still daylight and change horses as often as necessary to make all possible speed to London. When you arrive, you will probably find his lordship at Rudley House, but if he is not there, find him wherever he has gone and place this letter into no hand but his. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Here, then. Take this money and the letter, and may God speed you.” Without another word young Tom hurried from the room and Oliver turned his attention to the head groom. “Henderson, I also have a job for you.”
Tom Smithe arrived at Rudley House in London a few minutes after eleven o’clock that evening. He was tired and liberally spattered with mud, but he had made good time considering the condition of the roads. Upon hearing the earl was at home, he requested an immediate audience and was shown without ceremony into the library. “I have an urgent letter, m’lord, from Mr. Seaton.” He handed it directly to the earl as he had been instructed and then stood waiting.
Rudley broke the seal and spread the single sheet.
Ned,
Katherine has gone into premature labor and there have been some complications. Bailey will not commit himself, but he did admit that if the labor is prolonged Katherine’s life could be endangered. The roads are bad and in the dark I think you will come to us fastest if you ride. Henderson will meet you with Tortuga at the Bull’s Head in Woking. He is fit and will do all you ask of him.
Oliver
“Run down to the stables, Tom, and saddle Navigator. I am leaving for Hampshire immediately.” Tom hurried to do his bidding while Rudley quickly went upstairs to exchange his evening dress for riding clothes.
Within fifteen minutes Rudley was setting off at a smart pace through the London streets. There was three-quarters of a moon, but the sky was cloudy and the moon flitted in and out of cover, allowing for a few moments a good view of the road ahead and then suddenly plunging all into blackness. Rudley held Navigator to a strict trot until he was thoroughly warmed. Then, as they reached the outskirts of town, he allowed him to break into a canter. They galloped on through the night, meeting no one and seeing nothing but the road underfoot.
* * * *
Within an hour of the doctor’s arrival Katherine’s condition had improved, but there was no doubt she was in labor and, early or not, the child would probably be born that night. Oliver asked if he could sit with Katherine and the doctor said he had no objection if Lady Rudley had none.
On his way upstairs to Katherine’s room Oliver encountered Pamela. Her tearstained face told its own story. “How is her ladyship, Uncle Oliver?”
He could see no reason to hedge—Pamela was old enough to understand. “Dr. Bailey feels the child will be born tonight, but it is coming too soon, and it may not live, Pamela.”
“And my stepmother, will she be all right?”
“We must believe so, and pray for her. She is young and strong; the odds are in her favor.”
“Papa should be here.”
“I have sent for him. I am sure he will come as quickly as he can. Meanwhile, why don’t you go to your room and do some work on the painting of Karma that you are doing for Katherine. The doctor has said I may sit with her for a while. I promise to come to you immediately if there is any news, but I must warn you that these things take time and it may be morning before we know anything. Be sure you get to your bed early and rest well; we may need your help tomorrow.”
He kissed her then and walked with her as far as Katherine’s door. He waited until Pamela disappeared into her own room, then knocked quietly and entered Katherine’s room.
“The doctor has said that I may stay with you if you wish it,” he said. “It is likely to be a long night, and I doubt the pains will allow you to sleep.” He pulled a chair to the side of the bed and took one of her hands in his. “May I stay and help you through this, Katherine?”
She smiled and squeezed his hand lightly. “Yes, please, I should like it if you would stay.”
So Oliver sat with her through the long hours of the night and into the early hours of the morning, praying that there would be no further complications and that Ned would arrive quickly.
Mrs. Windom and some of the other servants had not retired, and during the night the housekeeper came several times into the room. After Oliver had noticed her for the third time casting a discountenancing glance in his direction, he rose quietly and motioned her to follow him from the room. “To what do I owe these dagger looks you are giving me, Mrs. Windom?” he asked bluntly.
“It is not proper for you to be in her ladyship’s bedchamber, sir, especially with her in childbed. It is not fitting—”
He interrupted her harshly. “Do not preach the proprieties to me, Mrs. Windom. I think I need not remind you that I lost my own wife in childbed. I will not leave my brother’s wife alone so long as she derives the smallest degree of comfort from my presence. Please allow me to add that it is not your place to either approve or disapprove my behavior.’’
He turned abruptly and reentered Katherine’s room, leaving the housekeeper in the hallway with her mouth agape. When she later returned to the room, he saw no sign of her earlier disapprobation. He knew not whether she had altered her opinion or simply seen the merit in choosing not to show it, but whichever was the case, he found he did not care.
* * * *
Rudley judged Woking to be no more than three miles ahead. The road had deteriorated greatly and Navigator was laboring. When Rudley turned into the yard of the Bull’s Head, he realized Henderson must have been watching for him, for the groom was at Navigator’s head before the horse came to a complete stop. Rudley slipped from the saddle. “Do you have any news from home, Henderson?”