Dennis, Josie - Wild Heights [Classics Rekindled 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Josie Dennis Page A

up and put into bed. Maggie’s cool hand on her fevered brow.
    “Child, what were you thinking?”
    She could not form an answer. She was not thinking. She was feeling.
    And God save her soul, she wanted to feel it again.

Chapter 10

    Cathy awoke to sunshine streaming through the balcony doors, catching the raindrops on the glass to sparkle like crystals. Her head ached. Her heart ached. She was in a maudlin mood and nothing would soothe her.
    “Chocolate?” Maggie said.
    The scent tickled her nose and she smiled. Perhaps something would soothe her. She opened her eyes to find Maggie standing over her, directing Lucy to leave the tray bearing cups and the pot of solace on the side table beside the blessed heather.
    “Ah, Maggie.” She came to a sitting position, managing a smile.
    “I thought as much.” Maggie turned to Lucy. “I daresay you may return within the hour and see to Miss Cathy’s hair and dress.”
    Lucy smiled and bobbed a curtsey before leaving them alone. Maggie poured a cup of chocolate and handed it to her. She settled on the bed beside her while Cathy held the cup to her nose and breathed deeply.
    “Are you going to tell me now?” she asked.
    Cathy sipped, letting the smooth sweetness wash away the bitterness of last night. “If I must.”
    “You know, Miss Cathy,” Maggie began, smoothing the linens as she spoke, “I have always suspected what is in your heart.”
    She blinked. “My heart?”
    “You love them both, don’t you? Mr. Edward and Mr. Henry.”
    Their names sent a stab of wanting through her. “Yes,” she admitted. “More fool me.”
    Maggie shook her head. “I shall not ask the particulars. But I will tell you this. They care for you. I’ve seen it growing for years.”
    Cathy shook her head, unwilling to be seduced by the possibility. “No.”
    “Yes. Despite their…exploits in Town and in the village, they always come back to you.”
    Cathy drained her cup, holding it out for a refill. “Where, precisely does that leave me?”
    Maggie poured. “What have they done to you?”
    Oh, so many wicked things. Her cheeks flamed as she took another sip of the bracing chocolate. “I do not know what you mean.”
    Maggie scoffed. “Where is your spirit? Who is this sniveling girl, hiding in the manor?” She gestured toward the balcony. “Huddling in the rain like a child. This is not the Cathy I raised.”
    “What are you saying?”
    “You’ve always taken what you want, dear. In everything, from your studies to your choice of dress and amusements. What has changed?”
    “Perhaps I have.”
    “Stuff and nonsense. You love them. I believe they love you.”
    She handed Maggie her empty cup. “That matters little now.”
    Maggie stood, taking up the tray. “Does it?” She walked toward the door. “It seems to me that the Cathy I know would grab on to the life she wanted. With both hands.”
    With that, she left. Cathy mused for a moment then rose to see to her morning ablutions. Lucy came and soon she was dressed and ready to face her day, whatever it might bring. She stared into the cheval glass.
    Maggie could not know the whole of it, what she’d done with Edward and Henry. She was right in one regard, however. Cathy Earling did not settle for what others insisted was correct and proper. She would not do so in this.
    Smiling at herself in the glass, she went belowstairs to attempt to find a way to see her own wishes satisfied. The images of Edward’s lovely face and Henry’s dark eyes filled her mind. Perhaps she could have her heart’s desire after all.
    As she finished her breakfast, she heard a carriage pull up the drive. Her heart flew up to her throat as she hurried to the window. Had her swains come to call so early? She was astounded to see the vicar emerge from his modest carriage, a look of concern on his lined face. He rapped on the front door, impatience in every sound. Maggie came to answer it.
    “Maggie,” she said, grabbing on to her arm,