"What if she refuses to go with them?"
"They've been given explicit instructions to bring her to the cove or else!"
Santos nodded, knowing with that warning issued the men wouldn't fail Lucian.
"But first I plan on sending her one last gift," he said, walking to the chest of drawers beneath the window and opening the top one. He withdrew a black velvet box and handed it to Santos.
Santos looked puzzled. "Why give her another gift if you plan on abducting her tomorrow?"
"The gift speaks for itself, my friend."
o0o
"Oh, my lady, the earl comes by every day and insists on seeing you," Dulcie said, pouring her mistress a cup of tea with a shaky hand. "He grows angry when Dunwith tells him you are too ill to receive visitors and then he asks if you have received the gifts he has sent. When he learns you have and have purposely not responded —" She bit on her lower lip nervously and shook her head.
Catherine sighed, resting back in the large chair that faced the open terrace doors in the sewing room. She had been shocked to discover that not only had Lucian, upon learning of her hasty departure from London, followed her to Yorkshire, but that within the week his estate and title had been returned to him and he had taken up residence at Brynwood, becoming her next-door neighbor. She had repeatedly refused to see him, ignoring his gifts and flowers though he had managed to touch her emotions with them. That he should take the time to court her as a gentleman impressed her and confused her. She had feigned illness these last few weeks and in that time her pregnancy had advanced considerably, making it impossible to see him.
"I had hoped his persistence would fade, but he appears intent on speaking with me."
"Maybe you should just talk to him —"
A shake of Catherine's head stopped any further suggestion from Dulcie. "I am in no condition to receive him."
Dulcie looked at Catherine's rounded belly. "He's bound to discover you carry his child, m’ lady. And then what?" Dulcie crossed herself.
"I don't know," Catherine said wearily, and waved the filled teacup away.
"I've upset you, m’ lady, I'm sorry," Dulcie apologized.
"Nonsense, I'm fine," Catherine assured her, and quickly changed the subject. "Were you able to speak with any of the servants at Brynwood?"
Dulcie nodded. "I found out that one of the servants who worked there around the time of the old earl and his wife's marriage now works at Moulton Manor.”
Catherine grew excited. "I'd like to talk with her."
"I thought you would so I arranged for her to visit with you tomorrow afternoon."
"Good, there is much I wish to ask her," Catherine said, already planning a list of questions in her head.
"Lady Catherine," Dunwith said, entering the room. "Charles Darcmoor requests an urgent visit with you. He insists it is of the utmost importance."
"He wishes to see me and not my father?" she asked, aware that Charles had been upset when her father had informed him that due to the fact that Lucian Darcmoor's identity was legitimate he could no longer help him to retain the property that rightfully belonged to Lucian.
"Give me a moment, Dunwith and then bring him in."
Dunwith left and Dulcie helped Catherine adjust a shawl across her chest, draping it over her stomach to conceal her pregnancy.
Charles rushed into the room moments later. "Catherine, you must speak to your father for me."
His face appeared flushed, his hands trembled, and she wondered if he had been drinking at the local village public house.
"Please sit, Charles. Would you care for a cup of tea?"
"Tea?" he snapped. "How can you offer me tea when your father has turned against me and caused me to lose my entire holdings?"
Dunwith walked into the room and over to Charles where he stood glaring down at Catherine. "If you insist on raising your voice to Lady Catherine, I will have to ask you to leave."
Charles calmed down immediately and turned apologetic. "I am terribly sorry for my unreasonable outburst."
Dunwith positioned himself by the door, his intention obvious. He would not leave until Charles was finished visiting.
"Do sit, Charles, and calm down. Then I will gladly listen to you," Catherine offered.
He took the seat opposite her, his hands still trembling and his cheeks more flushed than before his outburst. "Do you know why your father turned against me?"
"He did not turn against you. Indisputable evidence of Lucian Darcmoor's identity was presented to him and he had no choice but to advise the court."
"But all my documents proved Lucian dead. This man cannot be Lucian Darcmoor," he insisted with an angry shake of his head."