Chapter Fourteen: Constellation of the heart

August 1930,

"Sir?" Tommy turned towards his butler. "There's a young woman at the door."

"Name?"

"She didn't leave it. She said she had something for you."

Tommy stood up and reached for his jacket. "Well, I guess I better see what she wants." He looked at Charlie, who was staring at him with big eyes. "I'll be back in a moment."

He nodded understandingly. It was Charlie's birthday today. He'd promised no business, but this was rather curious. He went to the entrance and there stood Kate. His brow arched in surprise. "Kate, what are you doing here?"

"Well," she smiled as her box barked at him. "I heard it was Charlie's birthday and he told me what he wanted, with your permission, of course."

"Come on in." he reached for her arm.

"I couldn't." she shook her head. "It's a family event."

"Is that why you didn't give your name to the butler?"

She nodded. "I just wanted to slip in and out."

"Charlie!" Tommy called loudly. "Kate's here for you!"

"I shouldn't be here." She hissed quietly.

"To them, you're part of the family." To prove his point Charlie and Ruby both ran around the corner. "You've got a visitor."

Kate knelt down carefully with the box. "Happy birthday Charlie."

"Thank you!" he reached for the box, which had air holes in it. "Can I open it?"

Thomas nodded as Kate stood up. "Of course." Ruby attached herself onto Kate's leg, causing her lean sideways and give her a quick embrace. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.

"A puppy!" ruby turned loose of Kate and went straight to the box. He chuckled as ruby and Charlie oohed and aaahd over the dog. "He's beautiful!"

"He is actually a she." Kate corrected him gently. Charlie pouted slightly. "I know, but she was the last rough collie in London. I'm sure you'll love her just the same."

"I do." Charlie said as he held the fuzzy puppy close to him. Thomas grinned at Charlie's expression as ruby ruffled her hair. "Thank you Kate. How'd you know I wanted a puppy?"

"Oh, a little red bird told me."

Thomas chuckled at Charlie's expression. "I don't understand."

"It's ok." Kate stepped back. "I should be going. It's late."

Thomas gripped her arm, causing her to jolt. "Stop trying to run away Kate. The night is young for you Kate, but these two, should be running along."

"Can I take her upstairs with me?" Charlie asked.

Thomas hesitated before stating. "Just for tonight. We'll settle her in the barn first thing tomorrow. Say goodnight to Kate."

Charlie nodded. "Thank you Kate and goodnight."

"Goodnight Charlie and goodnight ruby."

Ruby yawned. "Goodnight Kate."

"I'll be up to say goodnight later." Thomas stated as he pulled Kate into his side as the children hurried upstairs. He chuckled as he whispered in her ear. "Am I to guess that the red bird that told you was ruby?"

"Why Mr. Shelby," Kate said teasingly. "Are you expecting me to give up a confident source?"

"Possibly." His hand trailed down her back to her hip, which he smacked, causing her to yelp and spin around in surprise. "I may have to get the information out of you."

"You…are a devil." Kate hissed at him as she rubbed her hip.

"Kate?" she glanced up as Arthur approached them. "Nice to see you again."

"A pleasure Arthur." She said as he gave her a quick hug. "We'll all have to go out dancing again, that was fun."

Arthur chuckled. "Nah, you're Tommy's girl now. You're off-limits."

Kate glanced at him, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Is that so?"

"To a degree." He stated.

"Well, maybe he'll make an exception for you Arthur, on occasion."

"Well, well," Kate turned towards Polly's voice and she smiled at her. A smile Polly didn't reciprocate. Michael and Gina approached, causing him to stiffen. He didn't trust those two and the last thing he wanted was them doing was adopting Polly's suspicious nature and digging into Kate's past.

True, he was curious about it, but he'd figured that Kate would come clean to him about the whole thing. She was growing more trusting in him and she'd let a few confidences slip, so one day, they'd maybe talk about the past. He had a few men inquiring into Emmet's murder, but no such luck yet. Michael, had been exceptionally curious in Tommy's business affairs, so the less they knew about Kate, the better.

"This is Polly's son, Michael Gray and his wife Gina, who were just leaving." Judging from the look on Polly, Michael and Gina's faces, they weren't happy to be leaving this early. But he'd had enough of them for tonight, Michael in particular. He was only allowed in for tonight for Polly's sake, but his smug face was wearing on his nerves.

Kate bit her lip and dipped her head in acknowledgement. "A pleasure to meet you." she was uneasy, he could feel that, but she wore it well.

"Same." Gina stepped towards her as she extended her hand. "And you are?"

Kate opened her mouth at the same moment Tommy put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to still a moment. "Katherine carter." He wanted to make it clear to those two that she was under his protection and not to go prodding.

"You look familiar." Michael stated.

"Michael." Thomas growled.

Kate placed a hand on his arm, signaling to him that he needed to calm down. "Yes, it was last year. You nearly knocked me down the front stairs in your haste to get away from Thomas during an argument."

"Yeah," he said slowly. "I'm sure that's where."

"Goodbye Michael." Thomas stated firmly.

Michael shot him a look, as if after sizing him up, he didn't really care to abide by the veiled threat. At least, until Arthur stepped next to him. He smiled at Kate, that fish oil salesman smile. "Perhaps another time." Kate didn't respond, she only smiled at him.

In fact, he could have sworn Kate was holding her breath until Michael and Gina were out of the house. The moment the door shut, she exhaled and he rubbed her shoulder. "Breathe." He ordered.

"I'm fine." Kate cleared her throat. "Are all birthday parties at your house this tense?"

"Just at the end." He exhales deeply. ""Care to join me for a nightcap?"

Kate nodded. "Yes, that would be lovely."

"It's getting late." Polly stated with a pointed look. "People will talk."

"Not if they know what's good for them." he stated with an equal pointed look. He knew exactly what she was suggesting.

"Well," she said with a cocked brow. "at least leave the door to the library open."

"I'm not about to ravish Kate on the couch." Kate blanched and dropped her handbag in shock that he'd said such a thing to Polly. "See?" he stated as he picked up her bag. "Kate isn't that type of woman."

"Then don't implicate her as if she is!" she states firmly.

"My business," he growled. "I've told you to stop meddling."

"I should go." She reached for her bag, which he wouldn't release. "I really only came to give Charlie his present."

"You're not going anywhere."

She arched a brow. "I'm not?"

"No." he stated as he succeeded in pulling her purse from her grasp. "Not until we've had that nightcap."

"I don't want to intrude."

"Kate, you're not intruding. You're welcome here," he shot Polly a strict look. "it's my house."

Polly said nothing, she just sniffed and turned aside to walk away. He couldn't understand why Polly had such a distrust of Kate. Was it possible that she blame Kate for Lizzie's suicide? That struck a chord with him. He hadn't thought about Lizzie for a while. Could it be that she'd actually seen the chemistry between him and Kate before they had?

"I need some fresh air." Kate whispered as she backs away towards the door.

"Good idea." He holds the door open for her and they exit. "How about a turn around the garden?"

"That does sound nice." She pauses on the porch for him as he pulls his coat on. "It is a clear night, with a full moon."

"They say that a full moon causes people to act strangely."

"So I've heard."

"But I don't think that's what ails Polly." She states as he takes he arm to help her down the stairs. "She doesn't like me, does she?"

He shook his head. "No. she doesn't trust you."

"What did I do?" she asked. "Did I do something to offend her?"

"You bought her that necklace."

Kate blinked and stared at him. "That's it? I bought her a necklace? You can't be serious."

He chuckled. "I am."

"Did she not like it? I was only-

He nods. "I know. You were being kind and thoughtful. Polly is just very suspicious of people, especially women. She threatened Grace with a gun, so, you're getting off pretty easy."

"Only at your expense, you two are fighting." She said quietly. "I don't want to cause trouble."

"We're a family," they paused at the fountain. "it's normal to have discord. It's not your fault."

She exhaled as she sat down on the edge. "I know but, I can still feel bad."

"No." he sat down beside her. "I won't allow that." he reached for her hand and squeezed it. "The Shelby family is an unharmonious one, you're like something that no one's ever seen before."

She bit her lip. "Is there anything I can do?" he shakes his head. "Surely, there must be something I can do to make this easier."

"Kate, you and I are in a relationship." at those words, her heart soared the sky at those words. "What happens between us…it doesn't concern them."

Kate glanced upward towards the house. Ruby and Charlie were peering out of the window. She chuckled. "What about your two peeping Tom's upstairs?"

He glanced upwards and exhaled. "Those two." She waved at them as Thomas shouted up to them. "Bedtime you two!"

"Goodnight!" Kate called. "Sleep well!"

"Goodnight!" they sheepishly waved back.

She chuckled and leaned back to look up at the sky. "They're really sweet children though."

"Eh, I suspect they're saving up for their teen years."

Kate laughs and pats his knee. "Your personality going to come back and haunt you in a few years?"

"That and their mothers."

Kate smiles sadly. "The past always finds a way to haunt us."

He nods in agreement. He watches her out of the corner of his eye. This seems to be one of her nights, she seems a little depressed. She'd also agreed to have a drink with him, something she'd never done before. Her thoughts were also a million miles away.

"One of those nights?" he inquired.

She exhales. "Yes." She sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "Today's the day Emmett died."

"I see."

"It's not as rough as it normally is but," she sighs. "I will admit, you've provided me with some conflicting emotions have to reconcile with."

"You know Kate," he reached for her hand and squeezed it. "We've skirted around one issue that's very important to us."

Kate bit her lip and looked at him. "You want to know about Emmet, don't you?"

"Yes."

She gazed upwards at the night sky. She was silent for a moment before stating. "Emmet is dear to my heart." He nodded in understanding. She closes her eyes for a moment. "If I tell you about him, would you tell me about Grace?"

He hesitated for a moment, pondering this question. Knowing it would mean he'd have to open himself up and talk about the demons that plagued him. He wasn't sure if he was ready to talk about her yet. He was silent as he pondered her question. She already knew enough about Lizzie, but Kate, was the woman he'd really loved. Kate…she was the one who had him on the road to loving again.

"If you expect me to open up," she said patiently. "you need to open up just a little with me."

"I know." he cleared his throat. "I understand that."

She sighed and gripped his hand. "Obviously, not here and now. Neither of us is ready to share but…I feel that I'm getting close."

"Same." He cleared his throat. "When the time comes, I'll tell you anything you want to know about her."

"Alright. That's enough for me." She glanced at the house again and he sees Polly watching them from the front door. Kate shifted and stood up. "I should go."

"Fine." he stood up with her, but he didn't let her pass. She blinked as he stepped in front her and lightly ran a finger down her cheek. "I'll let you go in a moment."

"Polly's watching." She said quietly.

"So?" he leaned forward to kiss her. "You're mine."

Kate trembled, but didn't reciprocate this kiss as she'd been doing during their previous kisses. It could be because Polly was watching him, or today was the date Emmett had been murdered. For either reason, he didn't press her. He kept the kiss brief and light, his reward, was a smile on her face when he broke the kiss.

She cleared her throat as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You and Arthur should come by tomorrow. Your Christmas present finally arrived."

His brow arched. "And why do I need Arthur?"

"Because, it's very heavy." She smiled. "I'd suggest bringing the car as well so you don't have to lug the crate."

"It's not alive is it?" Kate laughed and moved towards the garden exit. "You bought me a horse or something?"

"No, it's not alive. My instincts tell me that it's something that you and Arthur would appreciate."

"So, you got it for Arthur too?" he asked with a grin. "Should I be worried?"

"Nonsense. Remember, I bought this before I even knew Arthur."

"Fair point." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow Kate, sleep well."

"You too." She glanced up at the house again. "You should head in. ruby and Charlie will be waiting for you."

He smiles but doesn't say anything as Kate turns to walk away. One thing to come of the night was he finally had the date of Emmett dying. None of his digging had turned up the banns in the newspaper, but the newspaper was sure to report a killing at a wedding day.

Idcam: You were correct! Any guesses to the present?

Velairis: Kate's a slow mover, but...we shall see come chapter 16 or 17.