Captive Hearts by Teresa J Reasor Page B

must resent her for her part in his delay.
    “How long will it take you to prepare your ship for the journey?”
    “A month, if I’m able to hire a crew and get enough supplies aboard for the crossing.”
    “As I will be locked away here, perhaps you should be the one to inquire about the annulment. There must be someone who can offer you advice about it.” Instead of commenting on the matter he said, “Is that what Edward did, locked you away?” Her quick perusal of his features reassured her of the genuine interest he showed to the question. “As good as. I was not allowed out of the house without him. While he was away, the servants kept watch over me to insure I did not leave.”
    “Where would you have gone?”
    “Home.” She breathed the word like a talisman against all the pain. Summerhaven represented the one place that harbored memories of her family untainted by grief. She longed to be there away from the smothering strictures of London society and her uncle’s control.
    “To the country estate in Birmingham you mentioned. You don’t care for London then?” She gave the question some thought. “No. I feel smothered here.”
    Perhaps that’s because you haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the city as you should.” She did not feel comfortable in a society where appearances meant more than truth. Nor did she have a place within the group. The women talked behind their
    hands and avoided her. The men made lewd remarks beneath their breath and more. “I will never be accepted here, nor do I wish to be.”
    His features settled into an aggressive frown. “Then why stay here, Katherine?”
    She thought he would have understood. “Because this is my home, and if I allow them to drive me from it, they win. If I leave before they have been punished for what they did, they win as well. I am the only one who cares that my family is dead.”
    “And why is that?”
    She shook her head. “My parents had many acquaintances, but few close friends. My father and Edward did not care for one another’s company and were not close.” After having lived with her uncle for a time, Katherine understood why her father had avoided his brother. His absorption in the frivolous concerns of dress and entertainment had worn on her patience. She had resented how easily he had stepped into her father’s shoes and claimed all that had been his. He had resented the responsibility of caring for her. The combination had been an unhappy one for them both.
    Guilt lay like a weight on her shoulders. Without compromising her own plans, there was no way for her to warn him of what she had done. Matthew would come to resent her as Edward had; she felt certain of it.“It is not my intent for you or your family to be harmed by your association with me.”
    His brows rose. “How might we be harmed?” She brushed at the loose curls that dangled against her cheek. “Lady Willingham said there had already been talk about me among her acquaintances.” She looked away from the steady regard of his pale blue eyes. “I suppose once a woman has been ruined, no matter the circumstances, she is expected to either end her life or hide herself away for the rest of it.” She bobbed to her feet unable to remain seated.
    His fingers curled around her elbow at the same time he rose to stand close beside her. “Was that the purpose of the blood upon the sheets this morning, to prove your innocence?”
    Shocked surprise held her still. There had been no
    consummation. Her thoughts raced from one possibility to another. They had been the only two in the room and neither had any injuries. She had not started her monthly flux. How? Her mind raced over the routine of the morning as she had dressed to leave. The only other person who had entered the room had been Hannah. She had tied her stays and buttoning her gown. She snatched back a groan. Hannah.
    Her breathing grew shallow and quick as she fought the desire to scream and screech and pound the