Chapter 16

Chapter 16

For someone who had had quite the exciting night, followed by a rather fitful sleep, Catherine was up rather early the next morning. For hours she trailed through the empty house, her breath catching in her throat when she caught sight of Edward’s figure moving to the library. Without allowing herself to think about it too much, she followed him.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she stepped inside. Edward stood by the window, his tall frame silhouetted against the morning light. He turned at the sound of her entrance, his eyes widening slightly.

“Miss Winslow,” he said, his voice low. “You are up rather early. I trust you slept well after the… eventful… night you had.”

Catherine felt a blush creep up her neck. “Well enough, My Lord,” she replied, trying her best to keep her voice steady. “And yourself?”

Edward’s lips quirked in a half-smile. “I found sleep rather elusive, I'm afraid. Perhaps I am still not accustomed to such social engagements again.”

“Or perhaps you had other things on your mind?” Catherine ventured, surprising herself with her boldness.

Edward’s gaze sharpened, pinning her in place. “Indeed,” he murmured. “Many things.”

The air between them seemed to crackle with tension. Catherine took a step closer, drawn to him almost against her will. “My Lord,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “About last night…”

“Yes?” Edward prompted, his own voice husky. He moved toward her, closing the distance between them.

Catherine’s heart raced. “I... I wanted to thank you. For trusting me with your secret, for allowing me to help with Emily. It means a great deal to me.”

Edward’s expression softened slightly. “You have proven yourself more than worthy of that trust, Miss Winslow. Your dedication to Emily, your discretion... they are admirable qualities.”

“Thank you,” Catherine whisper, her voice so soft that he could hardly hear. “I am glad… you find me… admirable.”

Edward's breath caught audibly. “It is more than that,” he offered, after a moment. “I must admit, I find you quite… captivating.”

Catherine felt as though her heart might burst from her chest. “My Lord,” she breathed. “Edward…”

He reached out, his fingers ghosting along her cheek. “Miss Winslow… Catherine,” he murmured. “Last night, by the fountain... I know I should apologize, but I find myself unable to regret it.”

“Oh?”

He caught her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. The touch sent shivers down Catherine's spine. “We are playing a dangerous game, Catherine,” he murmured against her skin. “Surely you know that.”

“I do,” she replied, her voice trembling. “But I find myself unable to stop.”

When Edward’s s eyes met hers, they were dark with desire. “Nor can I,” he confessed. He tugged her closer, his free hand coming to rest at the small of her back.

Catherine went willingly, tilting her face up to his. Their lips were a breath apart when suddenly, the library door slammed open.

They sprang apart as Samuel Harper strode in, his face a mask of disapproval. Though if he noticed their compromising position, he gave no sign of it.

“Pardon me, My Lord,” he said, his voice stiff. “But you have a visitor.”

Edward’s face darkened with irritation, and he scowled. “A visitor? I have not taken a visitor in years. Why on earth would I allow one now?”

Mr. Harper straightened his spine, an unreadable expression settling across his features. “I believe you will want to see this one, My Lord,” he said, his voice careful. “It is... Lady Isabella Fairfax.”

At once, Edward’s face paled, and Catherine felt as though a sack of rocks had dropped into the pit of her stomach. She had heard that name before, and she closed her eyes, a shuddering breath escaping her lips.

Isabella Fairfax. The woman Edward had loved before... everything changed for him.

Before Edward could do so much as utter a word, a vision in silk swept into the room. Lady Isabella Fairfax, Catherine saw at once, was everything that she herself was not: tall and voluptuous, with cascading golden curls and ice-blue eyes. In her presence, Catherine was more aware than ever of her dark hair and petite frame. In fact, she felt even paler than usual.

“Edward, darling,” Isabella practically purred, her gaze fixed solely on the earl, “It has been far too long. Oh, how I have missed you.”

Edward remained frozen for a few seconds, but he seemed to shake himself from his shock at last. “Isabella,” he let out, his voice sounding quite odd. “This... this is quite unexpected.”

Isabella’s laugh tinkled through the library like crystal. “Oh, the best surprises often are, darling,” she said. Then, at last, her gaze landed on Catherine — dismissive and cold. “And who might this be?”

“This... this is Miss Winslow,” Edward said, his voice gruff. “She is Emily’s governess.”

Catherine’s face flushed when Isabella's gaze traveled down her form—from her modest brown dress to her hair, neatly tied in its casual bun.

“Charmed, I am sure,” Isabella said, though her tone suggested she was anything but. “Now, Edward. I have heard the most intriguing rumor... though, I am not quite certain we should discuss personal matters in front of the help.”

Once more, her ice-blue gaze landed on Catherine, who felt her cheeks heating up at once. “I... excuse me, please,” she muttered before rushing out of the library. Once outside, however, she quickly pressed herself against the door, eager to hear the rest of their conversation.

“Now, I must ask… what is this I hear about you attending the Midsummer Ball?” Isabella’s syrupy voice continued. “I must admit, I was rather hurt not to receive an invitation myself... After all, if you are re-entering society, I would expect you to tell me. We were so… close… all those years ago.”

Catherine closed her eyes at this, her heart twinging painfully in her chest. She jumped when Mr. Harper’s voice spoke behind her before she could hear Edward’s answer.

“Are you eavesdropping, Miss Winslow?” Samuel Harper asked, his lip curled in a distasteful manner. “How unbecoming of a... lady.”

Catherine’s face flushed, but she lifted her chin. “I was merely... concerned,” she said, realizing almost at once how weak she sounded, and a deep blush colored her cheeks.

Mr. Harper's eyes narrowed. “I would advise you, Miss Winslow, to get any romantic notions out of your head,” he said firmly. “You will never be able to truly garner the interest of a man like Lord Wessex.”

Catherine could feel her entire body heating up at his words and her eyes widened. “I... I do not know what you mean,” she protested weakly.

“Oh, come now,” Mr. Harper sneered. "I am no fool. I have seen the way you look at him. But make no mistake—you are nothing more than a passing fancy. His lordship was merely entranced for one night because you were wearing his mother's gown and playing at being a lady. Once the novelty wears off, you'll be back to being just another servant.”

Catherine felt as though she had been slapped. “That… it is not true,” she whispered, though she could not deny the slight sliver of doubt that filled her mind.

Mr. Harper pressed on mercilessly. “Mark my words, Miss Winslow. Once Lord Wessex tires of you, you'll be out of a job and all your prospects ruined. Is that what you want? To throw away everything you've worked for over some foolish infatuation?”

Tears pricked at Catherine's eyes, but she blinked them back furiously. How dare he speak to her this way? And yet... wasn’t there a grain of truth to his cruel words? What future could she possibly have with Edward?

But then she thought of Emily's bright smile, of Edward’s rare moments of vulnerability. They had suffered so much, and yet they still found the strength to open their hearts. Suddenly, Catherine felt a surge of protectiveness toward them both.

“You are wrong, Mr. Harper,” she said, her voice stronger now. “Lord Wessex and Lady Emily are not just titles or positions to be managed. They are human beings who have witnessed a horrific tragedy. They deserve compassion and understanding, not cold judgment.”

Mr. Harper’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at her vehement defense.

Catherine continued, her voice rising with passion. “Perhaps you should reacquaint yourself with your own humanity and compassion, Mr. Harper. It might serve you well to remember that we are all equal in the eyes of God, regardless of our stations in life.”

With that, she turned on her heel and strode away, leaving a stunned Mr. Harper in her wake. But as soon as she was out of sight, Catherine's composure crumbled. She hurried to her room, closing the door behind her, and leaning against it as she struggled to catch her breath.

***

Inside the library Edward could hardly believe that it was Isabella who stood in front of him. She looked like she did all those years ago—if anything had changed, she was even more beautiful, more refined. In an instant, he felt as though he was transported back to the days where he still believed in the goodness and beauty of life.

“Oh, Edward,” she spoke, her voice soft and gentle. “I never thought I would see the day when you would be back.”

“I hardly think attending one ball is enough to consider me back in society,” he retorted, and Isabella laughed softly, a vulnerable sound escaping her lips. When she looked up at him, her eyes were wide and glistening with tears.

“When… everything happened as it did,” she said slowly, “I thought that I had lost you for good. Not merely in a sense of courtship, but… as a man, as a friend. We… we were friends even before we courted, were we not?”

Despite himself, Edward felt a rush of familiar affection well up in him.

“We were friends long before we courted, yes,” he agreed, and Isabella laughed delicately.

“Do you remember how happy they were when you told them that you were going to court me? Your parents, I mean.”

Edward nodded stiffly, his heart twinging painfully at the mention of his parents. “I remember,” he admitted through stiff lips. “My… my mother always cared for you greatly.”

“As did I for her,” Isabella spoke softly. “We were so similar in what we enjoyed, what we did not… And…”

She moved closer to him, then took his hands in her own. “Oh, Edward. I lost them too. I lost them just as you did, though they were not my blood.”

Edward nodded stiffly. “I know,” he said at last. “And… I am sorry for pushing you away, but…”

“You were protecting yourself… and Emily, and perhaps me,” she said with a sad smile. “But… But I cared for this family too. I just… want you to know that.”

Edward sighed deeply, then nodded. “I understand, Isabella.”

Her hands felt foreign when she touched his wrist.

“We share so much history,” she insisted. “I am one of the few people who experienced that loss with you. Oh, Edward, I wish you would lean on me!”

Though it was quite strange, it felt familiar when she wrapped her arms around his waist and he leaned his head forward, resting it on her shoulder.

Save for his sister, Isabella felt like the only other link he had with his family.

What choice did he have but to lean on her if she offered it so readily?

***

Catherine’s heart raced as she rushed to her room. What had she done? Mr. Harper's words echoed in her mind, feeding the doubts that had taken root there. Had she truly jeopardized everything she'd worked for? And for what? A few stolen moments, a kiss that left her breathless but could lead nowhere?

Catherine sank onto her bed, burying her face in her hands. Edward’s intense gaze, the way his touch sent shivers down her spine was suddenly alive in her thoughts. But then Isabella’s beautiful face swam before her eyes—Isabella, who was everything Catherine was not. Wealthy, refined, and clearly from Edward’s world—in a way Catherine could never be.

“Foolish, foolish girl,” she muttered softly to herself. “To think that he could ever... that we could ever…”

But even as she chastised herself, Catherine could not quite extinguish the warm glow in her heart when she thought of Edward. There was no denying that there was something. Something she could not name, for she had never experienced it before…

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. That way would lead to madness. She needed to focus on her duties, on Emily's education. That was what truly mattered.

With a sigh, she rose from the bed and moved to the window, thinking that some fresh air might help calm her tumultuous thoughts. She pushed it open, breathing in deeply. The cool breeze felt soothing against her flushed cheeks.

As her gaze drifted over the grounds, a movement caught her eye. Two figures were making their way down the path toward a waiting carriage. Catherine's breath caught in her throat as she recognized them: Mr. Harper and Lady Isabella.

They appeared to be arguing, their heads bent close together as they whispered furiously. Isabella's face was twisted with anger, while Mr. Harper's expression was one of barely contained panic.

A chill ran down Catherine's spine as she watched the scene unfold. There was something secretive, something almost... conspiratorial about their interaction. As if they shared knowledge that they desperately wanted to keep hidden.

Suddenly, Mr. Harper gripped Isabella's arm, his face intense as he spoke to her. Isabella jerked away from him, her eyes flashing dangerously. She said something that made Mr. Harper blanch before climbing into the carriage.

As the carriage pulled away, Mr. Harper stood watching it for a long moment. Even from a distance, Catherine could see the tension in his posture, the way his fists clenched at his sides.

A feeling of dread settled in the pit of Catherine's stomach. What had she just witnessed? She could not help but wonder if Mr. Harper was warning Lady Isabella to stay away from the earl as he had done with her.

As Mr. Harper turned back toward the house, his gaze swept upwards. For a heart-stopping moment, his eyes met Catherine's. She jerked back from the window, her pulse racing.

Had he seen her?

A frown played between her brows. She supposed that it made some sense at least for Mr. Harper to be particularly protective over Edward… though she could not understand what would compel the man to warn everyone away from him.

Edward, noble as though he was, was after all not an island—everyone needed someone. Why would Mr. Harper insist on being the only one?