The Daughter of Highland Hall (32 page)

Kate stared at the headline on the front page of the morning paper: “Arrest Made in Martindale Murder!” She folded the paper and looked across at Jon. “I’ve read the article twice, and I still can’t believe they would arrest David.”

“I’m sure there is more to the investigation than what we read in the paper.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true.”

She and Jon were the only ones still at the breakfast table. Julia, Penny, and the children had moved to the music room for their practice session. William had gone with Mr. Bixby to see David, then the two of them planned to meet with a private investigator who had been hired to search out the truth behind Reginald Martindale’s murder.

Kate looked across at Jon. “Do you think William’s efforts will help?”

“It’s hard to say, but I doubt he’ll rest until he’s exhausted every option to free his brother.”

Kate glanced down at her breakfast plate. The eggs had congealed, and the toast looked cold and unappealing. It didn’t matter. Her appetite had vanished. She pushed the plate away and looked up at Jon again. “What are your plans for the day?”

“I’m going to pay my grandmother a visit this morning, then I’m going to Daystar after that.”

Kate sighed. “That sounds lovely.”

“Why don’t you come with me? I’m sure my grandmother would enjoy meeting you.”

“I’d like to, but it seems wrong for me to slip away and enjoy the day when Julia and William are so burdened about David.”

“I don’t think they’d mind.” He glanced toward the newspaper lying next to her plate. “And it might be helpful to put all your concerns aside for a few hours.”

Perhaps Jon was right. How was she helping anyone by sitting in the drawing room and worrying about the future? She might as well do something positive with her day. She looked up and met his gaze. “All right. I’ll ask them and see what they say.”

“Good.” Jon placed his napkin next to his plate and scooted back from the table.

Before he could rise, Louisa marched into the dining room carrying
Kate’s white hat, parasol, and gloves. “Come along, Kate. It’s time we were going.”

Kate frowned. “I didn’t know we had any plans.”

“Today is the Henley Regatta. We’re meeting the Clarksons at ten.”

Kate stared at her aunt. “How can you even
consider
going to the regatta?” She held up the newspaper. “
Look
at this headline.”

Louisa scanned the words, and her expression hardened. “That’s exactly why we must go.”

“Aunt Louisa, please, it will only cause us more embarrassment.”

“Nonsense! It will prove we have nothing to do with that … despicable man!” Louisa’s mouth twisted into a sour line.

“
That man
and I share the same last name, and his brother is my guardian. He was arrested at our home. Everyone knows we’re connected.”

“I’ve made a commitment to the Clarksons, and I do not intend to disappoint them. Put on your hat and gloves. We must leave soon, or we’ll be late.”

Kate steeled herself. “I’ve made other plans.”

“What
other plans
?”

“I’m going with Jon to visit his grandmother.”

Louisa’s eyes widened. “His grandmother?” She shook her head. “No, not today. We are going to the regatta.” She waved the gloves toward Kate. “Come along. We’ve no time to waste.”

A burning sensation rose in Kate’s throat. She glanced at Jon. His jaw was set in a firm line, his eyes silently urging her to speak up. Her aunt continued to glare and hold out the gloves. She would disappoint one of them today. That much was certain. Which one had her best interests in mind?

The answer was obvious.

Kate rose from her chair and leveled her gaze at her aunt. “I’m sorry, but I am not going with you today.”

Louisa’s eyes bulged. “What!”

“I am tired of pretending nothing is wrong. My cousin has been arrested for murder, and that scandal is too fresh for me to be parading around at a public event.”

Jon’s tense expression eased, and he gave a nod of support, infusing her with courage.

Louisa huffed. “I’ve taken part in the season for more than thirty-five years. I know how to navigate troubled waters, but you must listen to me and do as I say!”

“I may not have been out in society long, but I know enough not to make myself the focus of needless gossip.” Kate tossed her napkin on the table. “I’m not going.”

Louisa clenched her hand. “Why, you impudent, ungrateful girl!”

Jon rose from his chair. “Now see here. I won’t allow you to speak to Kate like that.”

Louisa turned her fiery glare on Jon. “Who are
you
to allow or disallow anything? You are an outsider. You have
nothing
to say about any of this.”

“I am Kate’s friend, and I believe that gives me a right to speak up for her.”

“You are no friend. You’re just a common pretender who has wormed his way into the good graces of a respected family, thinking you will take a step up in society—”

William strode into the dining room with Julia close on his heels. “What in the world is going on?”

Louisa pointed to Jon. “That young man has been rude and insulting.”

Kate gasped. “That is not true. Jon was only trying to stop you from bullying me.”

“Bullying you? Is that what you call it … after all I’ve done for you?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what you’re doing, and I’m tired of it.”

“This is his fault.” Louisa pointed at Jon again. “He has turned Katherine against me.”

Kate glared at Louisa. “No, he hasn’t. And I won’t let you blame him.”

William held up his hand. “Please, ladies, calm down, and one at a time, tell me what this is about.”

Louisa narrowed her eyes at William. “There’s no need to speak to me like a child in a schoolyard quarrel.”

“I am not speaking to you like a child.” William’s tone grew more intense. “I am simply trying to understand what has happened so I can bring some order to this household.”

“Very well.” Louisa clasped her hands. “I promised my sister on her deathbed that I would make sure Katherine married well and that her future was secure, and I have made every effort to do that.”

“Every effort?” Kate questioned. “You’ve dragged me from one event to the next and embarrassed me by—”

Aunt Louisa’s hand rose to her throat. “Do you see what I mean? This is the way I am treated by your ward and her
friend
.”

William lifted his hand. “All right. I believe we all need some time to cool our emotions and consider our words before we continue this conversation.”

“Well!” Louisa lifted her chin. “I know when my presence and opinion are not appreciated.” She spun away and marched out of the dining room with a swish of her brown silk skirt.

Silence reigned for a few seconds as they all stared after her.

William turned to Kate. “Now, will you please tell us what started all this?”

“I simply refused to go with her to the Henley Regatta.”

William’s brow creased. “That’s why she was so upset?”

“Yes. You know Aunt Louisa can’t tolerate anyone disagreeing with her decisions.”

Julia sighed. “It’s no secret she tries to control everyone with her harsh words and scorching temper.”

William closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’ve had about as much of her as I can tolerate. I’m prepared to send her back to Berkshire.”

Julia rested her hand on William’s arm. “Let’s give her some time to settle down. We’re all under a great deal of strain right now.”

“All right.” William shifted his gaze to Jon. “I apologize for Lady Gatewood’s remarks. I’m sure they were uncalled for.”

Jon nodded.

Kate clasped her hands behind her back and turned to William. “I’m sorry for my part in it. I know I need to learn how to speak my mind without losing my temper.”

William’s eyes widened for a moment, then he and Julia exchanged a smile. Clearly her apology had surprised—and pleased—them.

Kate glanced toward the stairs. “Perhaps it would be best if I stayed out of Aunt Louisa’s way for a few hours.”

William looked at Kate. “Did you have something in mind?”

“Jon invited me to go with him to visit his grandmother, and then he’s going on to Daystar Clinic.”

William lifted his eyebrows. “Julia, what do you think?”

“I’m sure our grandmother would enjoy a visit, if that’s agreeable with you.”

“As long as the chauffeur drives them.” William sent Jon a serious look. “You’ll make sure Kate is home in time for dinner?”

“Of course.”

“Very well, then. You may go.”

“Thank you!” Kate turned to Jon. “I’ll go up and get my things.”

“I’ll call for the car and meet you in the hall in a few minutes.” Jon’s eyes shone as he turned and walked out of the dining room.

Kate started to do the same, but William called her back.

“Be wise and sensible, Kate.”

She couldn’t help it. She grinned. “Of course. Always.” Then she hurried up the stairs.

Kate took Jon’s hand as she stepped out of the motorcar. She lifted her gaze to the large brick house, and her eyes widened. “This is your grandmother’s home?”

“Yes.” He smiled as he scanned the house. “It’s quite nice, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it’s lovely.” The chauffeur closed the car door, and Jon and Kate started up the front walk.

“I’m looking forward to meeting your grandmother.”

Jon opened the front gate and allowed Kate to pass through. “She can be a bit outspoken, but I suppose at her age she has earned the right.”

“Julia said you only met her a few months ago.”

“Yes, there was a rift between my parents and grandparents for many years.”

“What caused the rift, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Julia didn’t tell you?”

“She said your grandparents didn’t approve of your parents’ marriage, but there must be more to the story.”

He nodded. “My father was from a middle-class family, and he’d just started his medical practice here in London when he and my mother met at a Keswick Convention and fell in love. Her parents wanted her to marry a wealthy, young aristocrat, the son of one of their close friends. Of course neither of my parents liked that idea.

“They waited more than a year, hoping my grandfather would change his mind, but he didn’t, so they went ahead with their plans. My grandfather refused to attend the wedding, and he forbade my grandmother to go. When Julia and I were born, my grandmother pleaded with him to reunite the family, but he wouldn’t allow it. In the end, he cut my parents off completely.”

“My goodness, he sounds quite hardhearted.”

“Well, he certainly wasn’t one to change his mind once he made a decision.” Jon looked as though he wanted to say more about that, then decided against it.

“And all those years your parents had no contact with them?”

“My mother and her sister, Beatrice, exchanged letters, and those were passed on to my grandmother without my grandfather’s knowledge. When he died last December, my aunt arranged for us to see my grandmother. It was a touching reunion, especially for my mother.”

They mounted the front steps, and Jon rang the bell.

Kate glanced over and studied his profile. Despite the fading bruises, he was a handsome man. But it was more than his appearance that impressed her. Jon was a gentleman, and he always treated her with kindness and
respect. He wanted what was best for everyone he met. It didn’t matter if the person was a wealthy member of society or a poor urchin on the street—he gave each one the same respect and thoughtful attention.

How could she not be attracted to such a wonderful man?

The door opened, and an elderly butler greeted them with a slight bow.

“Good morning, Higgins. We’ve come to see my grandmother.”

“Yes sir. She is expecting you.” He motioned them inside and led them to the drawing room.

Kate glanced around as she kept pace with Jon. The hall was filled with beautiful furnishings. Potted palms, heavy drapes, and a rich color scheme gave it an atmosphere reminiscent of the early Victorian era. They followed the butler to the drawing room.

“Your guests have arrived, m’lady.” The butler stood back as Jon and Kate entered.

Jon’s grandmother rested on a chaise near the fireplace. Several pillows supported her back, and a soft gold blanket lay over her feet and legs. A ruffled lace cap covered most of her hair, except for a few white curls in front.

Jon crossed toward her. “Good morning, Grandmother. How are you today?”

She looked up at them through watery gray eyes and held out her hand. “Jonathan, it’s so nice to see you.”

He bent forward and kissed her fingers. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

She glanced at Kate. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

“This is Miss Katherine Ramsey. She is the cousin of Sir William Ramsey, Baronet of Highland Hall. He is her guardian, and Julia was her governess until recently.” He turned to Kate. “This is my grandmother, Lady Henrietta Shelburne.”

His grandmother squinted at Kate. “Ah yes, Julia told me about you.”

Kate smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you, Lady Shelburne.”

She looked Kate over more closely. “You have a pleasing appearance. I like the color of your hair.”