Page 387 of Conveniently Wed
Katie giggled. “Goodness, I guess it’s been well used of late.”
“I can understand why. If I had to marry a man I didn’t love, I’d be a mess too.”
“I love you, Amelia. And I’m so glad you’ll be living next door to me. Mr. Richardson told me that the home he’s giving our family is within walking distance. For that, I’m eternally grateful, because we’ll still have each other.” She placed her hands on each side of her sister’s cheeks. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone what I shared today? I need you to be that one person I can talk to. It makes this bearable. Can you do that?”
“I promise.” An unladylike snort followed as Amelia tried to hold back a sob and talk all at the same time.
They burst into laughter. Katie locked her hand into the crook of Amelia’s arm. “We better get back, or Ma will be in a dither.”
Katie pulled the blackened biscuits from the oven and slammed the pan on the bread board. “Ma, I need your help,” she yelled out the window to the porch. She had been determined to master at least one meal before becoming Mrs. Richardson, and what an abysmal failure.
The screen door squeaked and slammed behind Ma as she bustled in.
“It’s too late to learn. I’m hopeless.” Katie pointed at the pan. “Look at my biscuits, and I’m trying to stir this stew, but the bottom half is sticking to the pot.”
“Move it over here.” Ma slid the hot pot to the other side of the stove. “Remember, I told you not to cook above the area where you put the wood in. And never add wood just before cooking. The heat from coals is more manageable.”
Katie threw her hands in the air. “Too many things to remember.” She tried to stir the stew, but it slopped over the edge.
“Gently.” Ma’s hand rested over hers and slowed the pace. “That’s better.” She patted Katie on the shoulder. “You’re getting it.”
Her gentleness irritated Katie. She had so rarely experienced this side of her mother. It didn’t seem fair for her to start now. “Amelia is far more prepared for marriage than I am. She wouldn’t be burning a simple stew right now.”
“Your sister liked the kitchen. You liked the farm animals, the outdoors, roaming about the countryside with your brothers, more than?—”
“Yes, but now I’m expected to be someone I’m not.”
“Mr. Richardson has servants?—”
“But isn’t the lady of the house supposed to manage the household? What do I know about any of that?”
“You’re a smart girl. You’ll do just fine, and Mr. Richardson will not expect?—”
“How do you know what he’ll expect?”
“Pa and I had a talk with him, we discussed your limitations.”
Katie threw the spoon into the pot, sending a spray of hot liquid onto the floor. “That’s embarrassing. The three of you discussing what I can’t do. Did you tell him this is your fault? You didn’t mind my tomboy look, nor the fact it got me out of your hair. Yet you taught the others to be cultured and ladylike.Even Lucinda, at eight, knows more about being a lady than I do, and little Gracie at five has impeccable manners.”
Ma’s face crumpled and she stepped back. A heavy sigh slipped from her lips. “I know I failed you.”
“No, Ma. You just didn’t care.” Her voice softened. For years she had struggled with the way ma treated her differently.
“I did care, but you were headstrong, and it was easier to give in than to fight a battle I couldn’t win.”
“You’re forever saying that Lucinda is a spitfire with a throwback to our Irish ancestors. And yet you find the energy to teach her.”
The door opened, and the family poured in. Aunt May laughed. “I kept the troops out of your way while you cooked, and now you have a starving bunch.”
“Hope they like charcoal flavored biscuits and burnt stew.” Katie took off her apron, threw it on the counter, and marched out the door. With the churning of her emotions, she’d have trouble being civil.
She walked to the fence and looked out at the ornery gelding. He lifted his head and tossed his mane to the wind. With a glare and a snort, he kicked up his hoofs and took off at a run. “Yeah, you got it right,” Katie murmured. “Run. I wish I could do the same and never look back.”
It wasn’t her fault she didn’t have the knowledge needed to suit the distinguished man she was about to marry, and it served him right that he was about to get…her. If he’d taken the time to court her like a true gentleman, he would have discovered her deficiencies. But no, he was in such a hurry to marry her, and Ma and Pa were all too agreeable. Their need overrode hers.
And would he have wanted her if she were hard to look at? For years, she’d put up with the leering remarks and the head swiveling gawks from men. Her best defence was to ignore them, but now she was in a predicament she couldn’t ignore.
The night lay thick around Josiah. He tossed his covers clear of his body and tried to get Katherine out of his head. In a few short days, she would be sleeping by his side. The thought sent adrenaline rushing through his blood and a stab of doubt piercing his mind.
