Page 109 of Winterset
“Look at me, Oliver.” Kate gently touched my cheek, guiding my gaze back to hers. “Since that day you climbed over the fence wearing that ridiculous topper, you have done nothing but care for this house and everyone inside it. You are thebestof men, Oliver Jennings.”
“You’re wrong,” I said. “My own family does not even think so.”
She looked at me for a long moment, seeming to debate whether or not to say something, and then finally said, “I don’t think that’s true. Have you read their letters?”
“How did you know about their letters?”
“Before we met, when I was trying to ascertain your character, I went into your study, and I saw them in your desk. It was the same day I redacted your notes. I read one of the letters.”
“Ah,” I said.
“Are you very upset?” she asked.
Was I? I took measure of my feelings. I wasn’t mad that she’d read a letter. I was embarrassed that she knew I hadn’t read their correspondence. I wondered what damning information it might contain about me, but I wasn’t upset. “No,” I said. “I’m just surprised.”
“I only read the one, but it was obvious how much your brother loves and misses you.”
My throat tightened. “I’m sure you are wrong.”
“If I am, then why would they continue to write?”
“Duty. Obligation.”
She shook her head. “The words written in his letter said nothing of that.”
“Whatdidit say?” I asked.
“You should read his letters and find out for yourself.” She raised an eyebrow at me in challenge.
“No good can come from digging up the past. It’s better for me to look to the future.”
“Sometimes, it is,” she agreed. “And sometimes, you have to look back to know which way to move forward.”
Kate clutched my lapels, and I looked down at her in my arms. Her eyes were filled with love and longing, a mirror of my own.
My heart felt like it would burst with the feelings it held for her. I wanted to hold her like this forever.
But no matter how much I wanted that, tomorrow morning, our lives would start down different paths, and I did not want to make our parting any harder. I would be the man she believed I was. I would be honorable and bid her good night.
“The storm has stopped,” I said.
She listened for a moment, then nodded. “I didn’t even notice.”
“It’s late,” I said. “You must be tired.”
Another nod.
I shifted her in my arms to help her stand, then stood myself. I walked her up the stairs to her bedchamber, and at the door, I bid her good night.
Kate
“The carriage has arrived,” Mrs.Owensby said early the next morning. “Are you ready to go?”
I glanced around my bedchamber. For two years, I’d dreamed of what life might be like outside Winterset’s walls. I’d dreamed of more. But now that the morning for me to leave had arrived, it felt like a nightmare. I didn’t want to leave my home. I didn’t want to leave my servants. I didn’t want to leave my Oliver.
“Will you tell the driver to wait a moment? I want to look around one last time.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Owensby said. “We will be waiting for you on the drive.”
