The Devil's Good Intentions (66 page)

Peter started to say something but stopped when she shook her head.

The first hour of the event was torture. She was approached by many people and questioned repeatedly about what had happened. Peter did well in diverting their attentions and for that she was grateful. She did however convince him to leave her side and try to find a dance partner, reminding him of his purpose for being there. He reluctantly agreed but stayed close to her.

She was pleased to see that Ed had found a partner for the night. They appeared to be enthralled with each other which made her happy. Salvador had not shown himself since their arrival which hurt and relieved her at the same time.

"I admire your courage." A female voice sounded from behind her.

Katherine spun around to be faced with the icy stare of her old friend.

"Jessica - what a pleasure to see you again." She stated with false enthusiasm and a fake smile.

"I'm sure it is. I'm not even curious as to where you were all of these years, but do tell me what brought you back?"

Katherine was trying to figure out why Jessica was acting so hostile towards her. They had gone their separate ways all of those years ago, but she couldn't remember what she had done to bring this on.

"I came here with my husband and his friends. We were just tying up some loose ends."

"Your husband? That man that is dancing with every woman?" She laughed out while nodding her head towards Peter.

Now it was time for Katherine to laugh. "No Jennifer - that is a friend of my husband."

"Ah, well he is a very trusting man to allow you to be left alone with him." She snorted out.

Just what was she insinuating? Did she honestly think that she was capable of having an affair with another man while carrying her husband’s child? The woman was delusional.

"I'm not certain I understand your meaning, but I can assure you my husband can trust me beyond a doubt."

Jessica snickered and then plastered on a sweet smile as a man joined her.

"Thomas dear, do you remember Katherine?"

He looked at Katherine and gave a genuine smile.

"How can I forget?" He replied before bowing over Katherine's hand.

"When did you return from France?" Katherine started.

"About two years ago. It felt good to come home."

Katherine smiled affectionately towards him, even though Jessica was not looking pleased.

"Yes, well Thomas came back and just knew that we had to be married" she boasted as she shoved her diamond ring in Katherine's face.

"I'm genuinely happy for the both of you. Now if you'll excuse me..."

She didn't hear what they had to say next, all she knew was that she needed air.

She had heard the whispers in the ballroom - whispers and speculations as to what had happened to her. More than once she was referred to as a tramp and more than once it was made clear that she wasn't welcomed. Her Father had destroyed their reputation and it looked as though she was the one paying for that.

The terrace doors were locked and she felt as though the walls were caving in around her. Peering onto the dance floor to see if she could spot Ed or Peter, instead found her husband dancing with another woman. Her head started to spin and she ran.

When she stopped running, she had made her way out of the front door and onto the perfectly manicured lawns of the Van Horne's. she gasped for air and was rewarded with a wave of nausea and a dizzy spell.

She could hear the laughter from within and all she could think was that she didn't belong. She was a fool to believe she belonged in Salvador's world and she already knew she didn't belong here.

She lifted to her feet and let them carry her further from the noise of the party - blinded as to where she was going and her thoughts a whirlwind of turmoil and despair.

"Have you seen Kat?" Peter called out to Salvador over the music and voices.

"No. I thought she was with you." Salvador replied in an uninterested tone. Really he had felt anxious and not himself since he had arrived.

Peter looked at him accusingly and then shook his head in disgust.

"I apologize my Dear, but we will have to put this conversation off until another time." He apologized to his dance partner.

"I understand Lord Cresta, but do speak with my husband please. I believe his business has much to offer you." She replied with a kind smile.

Lady Livingston had been pitching her husbands business to Salvador for nearly an hour. She was genuine in her pursuit and had brought up some good points. But right now his concern was his wife.

He tried to harden his heart towards her and tried to convince himself that he didn't care that the ton was eating her alive. She had declared she wanted nothing to do with him, he wanted to show her what that meant. But as hard as he tried, he felt beaten down with each scowl these people put on her beautiful face. He wanted to rush her out of here, kiss her from head to toe and make her forget that they ever came here. He cursed himself for allowing her to get her way in this. He should have known what tonight would bring her and should have never let her come; no matter how much she screamed and cursed him. He was grateful that Peter had taken her under his wing. When he spoke to the brothers and Henry of what had happened, they were speechless. All of them would have done the same had it been them, except for Henry. But even he would have found one of us so that we could do the deed. She was too innocent to understand them. This is why they hid these kinds of things from their wives. Angel knew what they were like, but she had tougher skin and agreed with their way of thinking. Rachel and Katherine were different however in their own way. Rachel liked to believe that everyone should be given a second chance where as Katherine just couldn't comprehend the evil that lurked outside her door. No matter what she had been through, she would always see the good in man and make excuses for their behaviour.

Salvador got a glimpse of Peter and Ed exiting the ballroom and started his pursuit. They were already outside when he caught up with them. Salvador reached out to grab Ed's shoulder but before he could he was greeted with Peter’s fist.

Stars burst from beneath his eyelids and he fell backwards onto the lawn.

"How could you!" Peter bellowed at him, shaking his fists in the air. "How could you disregard your own wife? If I thought you were capable of stooping so low, I would have never left her alone!" He spat out in disgust.

"No no Peter - that was your mistake! You didn't see him dancing with that woman? His attention was already engaged elsewhere." Ed barked out sarcastically.

Salvador allowed them to verbally beat him down. He knew he deserved it.

"The carriage is still here which means she has taken off by foot."

"Are you sure she's not inside?" Ed inquired.

"Damn certain" Peter replied absently as he scanned the property.

It was dark outside and there was not a trace of her to be found.

"Her cape is still checked in but I know she's not here." Peter continued.

That brought Salvador out of his self loathing. His head shot up and the realness of the situation came crashing upon him.

"We need to split up." He finally piped in.

"Are you certain Salvador? There is a woman waiting for you inside, wouldn't want to keep her waiting..." Ed spat out.

"Enough!" Salvador boomed out. "That woman is married to a gentleman that I have had business ventures with in the past! She was trying to secure our business relationship, nothing more!"

His fists were on his side and he was starting to see red.

"Katherine is my wife! The mother of my unborn child! I would die before I ever thought about another woman! I would die for her!"

"Then start acting like her Husband. Tonight she needed you most and you turned your back on her. Now she's missing." Peter stated flatly.

If Salvador didn't know Peters feelings towards Katherine, he would have laid him out right there. But he knew Peter was right and also knew that he was scared to death for Kat.

"We split up and don't stop until we find her." Was his final command before disappearing into the night.

~

Katherine could barely see through the steady stream of tears. It was hurting her to breath. Visions of Salvador and that woman kept coming back to her and she knew she had been cast aside, and that it was her fault. She had let her emotions get the best of her and spoke in anger and confusion. Now that she had lost his heart, she knew she had made a terrible mistake. He was defending her and their child. Period. She had no idea how men thought and had no business assuming she knew a mans world. Her job was to love him and his job was to protect her. She threw his love away when he was only acting on instincts, and now he was lost to her forever.

She stumbled over a branch and caught herself on a tree before toppling over. Closing her eyes, she laid her forehead against the cool bark of the tree and tried to steady her breaths. When she opened her eyes again, she gasped at the vision in front of her. She was home again. Right back to the beginning. The cottage looked the same as it did when she left, only the vines had started to take over and rather than looking like the home she had made it into, it now stood out appearing as the abandoned shack that it was.

Wiping away the tears, she slowly made her way to the door. As she entered, she had to bat away the cobwebs and adjust her eyes. Her lantern was right beside her and she was pretty sure it still worked, but she wanted her surroundings to be as dark as she felt. Running her fingers along the empty bureau, she made her way over to the single cot in the corner. Bending down, she picked up an old tattered petticoat that was left behind. As she sat on the cot, she buried her face into the torn rag. She couldn't imagine how she lived like this all those moons ago. But the reality of her situation had her facing the truth that maybe this was to be her fate after all. Salvador would come looking for her of course, she was carrying his child. She hugged her unborn child as the thought occurred to her that he could take the child away from her after it is born and toss her aside then. Would she ever get to hold it? Another bought of tears started to well up as multitudes of dark thoughts crossed her mind. She could beg his forgiveness, but for him to hold another woman meant that he was well past her already. She wondered if he ever loved her as he claimed he had. It had taken him no time to move on.

She would run away. She would wait until he had left town and then make her way back here. Once he convinced himself that she wasn't here, he would move on and search other places. She would of course try to find a way to stay healthy and alive until then, but she was a survivor and could manage. She would never see Salvador again. She would only be left with nothing but memories of a happier time.

Her breath hitched in her throat when she heard sudden movements from outside of the cottage. It sounded like clumsy footsteps surrounding her, and there was more than one. She held her breath as a faint light crossed the window and drew her hand over her mouth when the door started to open. Could it be that Salvador had already found her? What would she say or do? Beg his forgiveness or meekly comply with his demands and find another way to escape?

A figure filled the doorway as she looked on with horror. Behind him was another figure holding the lantern, illuminating this mans outline. Salvador was taller and much more built. Her heart sped up as the man took a step inside followed by the other man.

"Well well well, look who we got here."

~

Salvador could feel her terror. He could taste it on his tongue. His Katherine was in danger and he thought he had an idea as to where he could find her. Peter and Ed had met up with him an hour prior. They had been searching the town and surrounding areas for her. But he knew without a doubt where she would go. Ed wanted to return to the estate to see if she had shown up there, but Salvador knew that he would be disappointed.

"Salvador?" Peter called out as he picked up his pace and changed direction.

"I know where she is, and God help me I know something is wrong!" He yelled back.

They didn't question him. They entered the dark woods together and Salvador prayed that he would not get them lost.

~