Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney Page A

"Then you won't have to squire me around."
    "Escorting you has been a pleasure, not a burden. When Charles isn't available, I can take you both. I'll be the envy of every man in Brussels."
    He covered a yawn and lapsed into silence. In spite of the noise of the children and the wagons rumbling along the road that ran through the Namur Gate, he dozed off, his breath becoming slow and steady. There was a precious intimacy to the situation.
    Catherine, continued sewing. She was very good at concealing her feelings, and not even the most suspicious observer would suspect the quiet joy in her heart. Michael's presence fed a part of her soul that had been starving for years.
    Perhaps she should feel guilty about her improper feelings, but she didn't. No one would be hurt, and soon then-paths would diverge, probably forever. But when that happened, she would have the memory of a few golden hours to carry in her heart.
    She finished Amy's petticoat and folded it into her basket, then began darning Colin's socks. When she had done two, she allowed herself to study Michael's tanned right hand, which lay relaxed in the grass only two feet from her.
     
    The fingers were long and capable. A thin, long-healed saber scar curved across his palm and up the wrist.
    She experienced a nearly overpowering urge to lay her hand over his? To touch him, if only in the most superficial way. To feel the vivid life pulsing through his powerful body. What would it be like to lie alongside him, to feel his warm length against her?
    Face heated, she readied for another sock. She hoped that when she met Saint Peter, her life would be judged by her deeds, not her thoughts.
    After she finished her mending, she packed her scissors and thread away and leaned back against the trunk of the chestnut, watching Michael from under half-closed lids.
    Peace was shattered by piercing screams from the children and an anguished howl from Clancy. Catherine sat bolt upright, recognizing that it was not the sound of normal play. Simultaneously, Michael's eyes snapped open.
    Amy shouted, "Mama, come quickly!"
    Michael leaped up and grabbed her hand to help her. As soon as she was on her feet, they raced across
the garden, her heart pounding with fear at what they might find.
     The children were by the stone fountain, where a dancing porpoise gushed water into a small pool. Catherine's heart spasmed as she saw the blood splashed across both girls. Blood was pouring .from a gash in Molly's scalp. Amy had taken off her sash and was valiantly trying to staunch the
flow.
    Jamie stood a few feet away, his face ashen under his red hair as he watched his sister's wild sobbing. Clancy jumped around anxiously,getting in the way-and adding to the confusion with his sharp yips.
    Catherine dropped beside Molly and took over the job of trying to stop the bleeding. "Amy, what happened?"
    "Jamie shoved Molly and she fell against the fountain."
    "I didn't mean to!" Jamie gasped. His quick, shallow breaths began whistling eerily. Michael, who had "been calming the nervous dog, looked up sharply at the sound.
    Catherine ordered, "Amy, go get Anne:"  As Amy ran to obey, Molly asked with ghoulish curiosity, "Am I going to die?"
    "Of course not," Catherine said briskly. "Head wounds bleed dreadfully, but this one isn't deep. You'll be fine in a few days. Any scar will be hidden by your hair."
    "
I didn't mean it
!" Jamie cried with anguish. Suddenly he bolted away, his limbs flailing frantically.
    Catherine's instinct was to follow, but she couldn't, not with Molly still bleeding in her arms. She gave Michael an agonized glance. To her relief, he was already going after the weeping child, but he was slowed by the necessity of untangling himself from Clancy and having to circle the fountain.
    Jamie tripped and went sprawling on the turf. The walled garden echoed with the sound of his hideous wheezing.
    Shocked out of thoughts of her own injury, Molly tried to stand up. "Jamie is having one of