His Obsession by Ann B. Keller

poised on the stairs. She appeared a
little thin and pale. Her curly red hair was a vivid contrast to
the color of her skin and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.
That worried him. Had she not been sleeping well?
    Kate’s eyes were starved for Richard, too.
Somehow, in the light of day, the Earl of Devonshire appeared
taller and more handsome than Kate remembered. He’d apparently been
out riding more, too, because his face and hands seemed more tanned
by exposure to the sun.
    As Kate stared at Richard, a smile curved her
pink lips and Richard grinned. Whatever troubles had beset Kate
Overton were apparently behind her. What he wouldn’t give to spend
the day with her.
    Richard finally closed the distance between
them, stopping at the base of the stairs. Just having him near made
Kate’s heart skip a beat. Praying that she wouldn’t stumble and
make a cake of herself, Kate descended the last few steps, at last
stopping on the tread just above the floor.
    “My lord,” Kate acknowledged with a nod.
“It’s nice to see you again.”
    Gently, Richard took Kate’s small hand and
raised her fingers to his lips.
    “I have missed our discussions, Lady Overton.
I trust you’re feeling better?” Richard inquired.
    “A little. Thank you.”
    “If you’ll permit me, I took the liberty of
purchasing a small gift for you to aid your recovery,” Richard told
her, retrieving something from his coat pocket.
    Kate stared at the small rust colored book he
held out to her. A book of poetry, perhaps? How typical. No, it
seemed to be something else entirely.
    “ The Best Works of Voltaire ?” Kate
read aloud.
    “Do you like it?”
    “Oh, yes!” Kate happily replied. “I’m
delighted.”
    Kate’s glistening smile was worth every
agonizing moment Richard had spent in the bookseller’s shop,
debating the perfect tome to purchase for such an unusual lady. He
was pleased.
    “Have you read much of his work?” Richard
inquired with interest.
    “Some,” Kate acknowledged. “His words are
very thought provoking.”
    “I agree. Perhaps, after you’ve read it, we
might find an opportunity to discuss it?” Richard suggested.
    Suddenly, a virtual tornado of red velvet and
lace swept past Kate, nearly tumbling her from the stairs. Richard
reached out and caught Kate’s elbow to steady her as Dorothea
leaned toward him.
    “Here I am at last!” Dorothea declared, her
face glowing with excitement. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting
long, darling ?”
    “My lady,” the earl briefly acknowledged.
    “Come, my lord. I have the perfect mount for
you,” Dorothea announced, neatly capturing the earl’s elbow. “You
can ride Father’s horse.”
    Richard glanced at Kate. Apparently, Dorothea
and the earl had already arranged to go riding. Regally, Kate
lifted her head and descended to the floor in front of them.
    “Please, go ahead,” Kate bid them. “It looks
to be a fine day for a ride.”
    Richard nodded and reluctantly allowed
Dorothea to lead him away. Kate stared after the retreating couple,
her heart silently breaking.
    The weather was poor the next day and the
following one as well. It rained almost non-stop, a steady,
dripping rain that depressed the entire Overton household.
    Helen and Dorothea were despondent and bored.
Their gentlemen callers would hardly venture out in such dismal
weather. No man’s love was that steadfast, or so they thought.
    It was nearly dinner time. Not only could
they tell by the mantel clock, but the sky had started to take on
an even darker hue than before. Suddenly, there was a knock at the
front door and all eyes swung in that direction.
    “Goodness, who could it be?” Penelope
worried.
    “Who would venture out in this?” Edgar
agreed, rising from his chair.
    “My lord, come quickly!” Jacobs requested
from the hall.
    Edgar hurried into the hall at the summons
and Kate followed. Two men stood in the hallway, both thoroughly
drenched. The taller gentleman seemed to be