turned a smiled at Kate, hoping to ease the tensions.
Clara, despite the gentle nudging of her husband, felt she must ask one more question. "How long will Ms. Dornacher remain at Critchfield Manor? I am of the belief that it is highly improper for a single gentleman and woman to reside under the same roof when they are not related or are without a chaperone."
Although Kate knew the questions and concerns were valid, it angered her none the less. She felt as though she was being spoken of as if she was not there. "Mrs. Dickson," Kate said as she slowly rose from her chair, "thank you for your hospitality, but I am afraid I must take my leave... my headache has returned."
Nicholas was slightly alarmed by this announcement. He gave his parting words to the hosts and their guests before joining Kate in the carriage.
Kate sat looking out into the blackness of night. Through the moonlight, Nicholas could see the trickling of tears down her cheek. He climbed into the carriage, seating himself next to her. He clasped his hand around hers causing her to turn and face him. With his free hand he took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the wet areas on her face. He spoke with a low, gentle voice, "Forgive me Katherine, I should not have coerced you into going. Had I known that Miss Beverly and Mrs. Pobloske were going to behave as they did, we would not have attended."
"Thank you Nicholas, but you have done nothing that needs forgiveness. As for the way the other women responded to me, well, I cannot blame them."
"I beg to differ." He squeezed her hand, a gesture she could feel all the way down to her toes.
"Please, hear me out." She slipped her hand out from under his and using her own lace edged handkerchief, dried the moisture that remained in her eyes. She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before she spoke. Nicholas could see that she had gathered herself together and folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in the seat.
"Please continue."
"Those women asked valid questions, they brought up valid points. I am a stranger without a past. If I were them, I would most likely have a hard time trusting such a person as myself. I have no one to speak on my behalf; I have no proof that I am who I say I am. With my memory as it is, what if my name is not really Kate, what if my name is something else?"
"I have people looking into the information you supplied us with when you first arrived."
With that, Kate's brow furrowed. Even he does not trust me.
As if sensing her trepidation, he continued. "I want you to find your family, to find out what happened to you, to find out why you ended up on my doorstep. I do believe that there is much more to your story than what you can remember - as evidenced by your nightmares. It is possible that your life may be in danger, so we have to proceed cautiously."
Nicholas’ face took on a grim expression as he contemplated the scenarios that came into his mind. The carriage jerked to a stop and the footman quickly opened the door. Nicholas climbed out first, offering his hand to Kate for assistance as she made her way out. When they entered the vestibule, Mr. Baxter was waiting patiently to take their coats and assist them in whatever needs they may have had.
"Thomas, please tell Mrs. Thompson that Ms. Dornacher and I will take tea in the library before we retire for the evening."
"Very well sir." Thomas bowed slightly before scuttling off to perform his duties.
Nicholas turned to Kate, gesturing his hand down the hallway. They proceeded towards the library in silence with only the sound of their shoes and
Clara, despite the gentle nudging of her husband, felt she must ask one more question. "How long will Ms. Dornacher remain at Critchfield Manor? I am of the belief that it is highly improper for a single gentleman and woman to reside under the same roof when they are not related or are without a chaperone."
Although Kate knew the questions and concerns were valid, it angered her none the less. She felt as though she was being spoken of as if she was not there. "Mrs. Dickson," Kate said as she slowly rose from her chair, "thank you for your hospitality, but I am afraid I must take my leave... my headache has returned."
Nicholas was slightly alarmed by this announcement. He gave his parting words to the hosts and their guests before joining Kate in the carriage.
Kate sat looking out into the blackness of night. Through the moonlight, Nicholas could see the trickling of tears down her cheek. He climbed into the carriage, seating himself next to her. He clasped his hand around hers causing her to turn and face him. With his free hand he took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the wet areas on her face. He spoke with a low, gentle voice, "Forgive me Katherine, I should not have coerced you into going. Had I known that Miss Beverly and Mrs. Pobloske were going to behave as they did, we would not have attended."
"Thank you Nicholas, but you have done nothing that needs forgiveness. As for the way the other women responded to me, well, I cannot blame them."
"I beg to differ." He squeezed her hand, a gesture she could feel all the way down to her toes.
"Please, hear me out." She slipped her hand out from under his and using her own lace edged handkerchief, dried the moisture that remained in her eyes. She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders before she spoke. Nicholas could see that she had gathered herself together and folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back in the seat.
"Please continue."
"Those women asked valid questions, they brought up valid points. I am a stranger without a past. If I were them, I would most likely have a hard time trusting such a person as myself. I have no one to speak on my behalf; I have no proof that I am who I say I am. With my memory as it is, what if my name is not really Kate, what if my name is something else?"
"I have people looking into the information you supplied us with when you first arrived."
With that, Kate's brow furrowed. Even he does not trust me.
As if sensing her trepidation, he continued. "I want you to find your family, to find out what happened to you, to find out why you ended up on my doorstep. I do believe that there is much more to your story than what you can remember - as evidenced by your nightmares. It is possible that your life may be in danger, so we have to proceed cautiously."
Nicholas’ face took on a grim expression as he contemplated the scenarios that came into his mind. The carriage jerked to a stop and the footman quickly opened the door. Nicholas climbed out first, offering his hand to Kate for assistance as she made her way out. When they entered the vestibule, Mr. Baxter was waiting patiently to take their coats and assist them in whatever needs they may have had.
"Thomas, please tell Mrs. Thompson that Ms. Dornacher and I will take tea in the library before we retire for the evening."
"Very well sir." Thomas bowed slightly before scuttling off to perform his duties.
Nicholas turned to Kate, gesturing his hand down the hallway. They proceeded towards the library in silence with only the sound of their shoes and
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