Chapter twenty-nine: Kite


The car braked to a halt and she heard him exhale. "Do you require help, Sir?"

"Just open my door and get the basket out of the front seat." Kate kept her eyes closed, waiting to see what he would do. He carefully, rather gently for such an intimidating man, she noted, pulled her up into his arms, situating her in his lap. He carefully moved her arms around his neck, and then paused.

Then ever so lightly, Thomas softly brushed a strand of hair from her face and stole a kiss from her lips. Her heart jumped in her chest and her eyes flew open. Thomas paused in place and drew back slightly so he could study her face.

She inhaled and touched her lips, which were still tingling. His eyes carefully studied her face carefully as she smiled in amusement. "Thief, stealing kisses while I sleep."

He was silent before stating. "It's not my fault, it's yours."

"Mine?" she laughs in amusement. "How so?"

"It's your lips." he states. "You've got this little dip on your upper lip that tempts me. And, you're wearing this pink lipstick."

As he gets out of the car, Kate thinks up a response to that answer. "You don't have to steal kisses from me Thomas. I am your wife." She gets out and leans against the car. "I give them to you readily."

His blue eyes widen and he leans forward, as if intending to claim a kiss from her. At that moment, the front door opened and the children came running out. "Damn it." he mutters as he straightens up.

Kate smiles at him as she steps out of the way for him to close the door behind her. "You can collect the kiss later." He blinks in surprise. "In truth, I've rather missed being kissed by you.

He leans forward and speaks lowly in her ear. "I'll be collecting this one soon."

"Is it an English thing not to show affection in front of one's children?" she asks quietly.

"You didn't like it when we were courting." He reminded her. "What changed?"

Kate smiles. "You married me."

He nods as he places a hand on her waist. "Point taken." Kate blushes softly as he leans forward and plants a firm, but brief kiss on her lips. She smiles and places her hand over his, gripping his hand tightly. "That's not the kiss I'm going to claim later."

Kate laughs and bumps him playfully with her hip. "We shall see about that Mr. Shelby."

"Really?" Kate turns slightly, just as Thomas catches her around the waist, causing her to squeal with laughter. She squeals as he picks her up from the ground. "Put me down! Put me down!"

"What are you doing?" Ruby asks confusion on her face.

Kate looks up at Thomas, who just looks to her for the answer. She exhales and shrugs her head. "I've absolutely no idea, your father and I are being silly. Did you two find the picnic basket?"

"It's inside. Elton has it."

"Right. I got everyone some goodies. Take it into the parlor and ask Elton for some tea." They nod and scamper off. "Don't forget to say please!"

"Yes Kate!" They chime in unison.

Thomas exhales as they walk up the stairs. "So, how are you feeling?"

"Much better now." She assures him. "When stuff like that happens, I always just need a quick nap and I'm back to normal. It doesn't affect me as much as it used to back then."

He nods. "Right, I'll get down to the bottom of this as soon as I can."

"I know." She pauses inside the entryway to remove her coat. "I still think it's something to do with my father."

"Possibly." She takes her scarf and hangs it up with her coat. She removes her gloves and stuffs them in her pocket. Thomas reaches up and pushes a strand of hair back from her face. "Thank you."

He places his hands on her waist and gently pulls her towards him. "Come here." Kate leans forward and closes her eyes, preparing to meed her husband in a very wanted kiss.

"How was the trip in to town?" They both groaned as they separated and turned towards Polly. She has that semi-disapproving look on her face. Kate wouldn't be surprised if she had interrupted their kiss on purpose.

"Someone tried to kidnap Kate." Thomas informs her.

Polly's eyes narrow. "Really? Did he get away?"

"No. Kate shot him first and I ended him."

Polly turns towards her. "You shot him?"

"Yes. He was pointing a gun at Thomas so I shot him." She glanced at him and stated. "Next time, I won't miss the driver."

"You did great though." He cheekily winked at her, causing her to roll her eyes at him.

"Stop it." She says as she swats at him.

"Oh come off it!" Polly snapped. "You can't keep treating him this coldly forever. You made your bed, now lie in it or get out of this house!"

She flinched and Thomas stepped in front of her. "Polly, I'm not sure what's bothering you, but you need to come off it."

"I've been watching her treat you like this for weeks. I don't know why you put up with it!"

"He puts up with what?" Kate demands. "What did I do this time?"

"Every time, he tries to be nice to you, you rebuff him." Kate jolts in surprise. "Never mind, that he's in this whole situation because of you!"

"Poll," he says firmly. "if Kate was rebuffing me, you'd know it. When we flirt with each other, it's not the normal flirting, as you saw."

Polly's brow arches. "That was flirting? Her smacking at you?"

"Thomas and I do flirt with each other, I'm just more awkward than he is, but," she glances at him. "I think he finds it endearing?" He nods as she turns back to Polly. "Thomas and I shouldn't have to explain our behavior to you. It's our marriage, not yours. I understand that you're his aunt and you don't trust me, but you don't have the right to interfere in how we treat each other."

Polly turns towards her, looking her up and down. "Now the claws are coming out."

"Only because you've given me no other option!" Kate states firmly. "I know you've looked after him like a mother for so many years, but our personal relationship really doesn't concern you."

"I may have retired from his business, but I'm still his aunt and the head of this house, missy." She steps towards her. "Don't you forget it."

"You were the head of this house, but not anymore." Kate states as she places her hands on her hips. "I'm his wife and a mother to his children. It's time you realize that I have a position in his life and respect it. I've tried getting along with you, hoping time would give you whatever it is you need…but I don't see that happening any time soon. So, Polly," Kate says tightly. "today, you will go upstairs, pack your things and get out of our house by the end of this week."

Polly and Thomas stare at her in surprise. "What?" Polly laughs at her. "You didn't really just tell me that."

"You heard me loud and clear, I'm serious." Kate doesn't even blink. "I've tried to make peace with you, but every time I try, you reject it. You're making things strained between Thomas and me, criticizing our behavior. We're having a tricky enough time, having to adjust to married life as it without your interference."

"You two never adjusted to married life!" she snaps. "This whole marriage is a sham!"

Kate's temper rises. "How dare you say such a thing!"

"I know about the separate rooms." Kate's face heated. "You're his wife and you're neglecting your wifely duties towards him! It's not a marriage; you're just two people living together."

"That's enough Polly!" Thomas snaps. "I thought Elton was exaggerating your disdain for her, now, I don't think he stressed it enough."

"I don't like her. I'm not going to change my feelings towards her."

"You're going to have to, she's my wife!" Kate inhales, her cheeks warming at Thomas coming to her defense. "Kate has a good reason not to share my bed with me and I agree with her!" Polly's face stilled at his admission. He inhaled. "But as unorthodox as this marriage is at the moment, it will become a real marriage in time. All things considered, Kate's been a good wife to me, a damn fine mother and you will give her the f**king respect she deserves."

"She can't tell me what to do!" Polly states. "You may have given her the Shelby name, but she's not a Shelby."

"Enough." Thomas states.

Kate looks up to him and holds her gaze. "I have tried Polly, I really have. I can't see our marriage flourishing without you constantly criticizing every little move I do. I am not like his other wives, who I gather were more submissive than I am. But I'm different; I'm financially independent and have my own career. I can't be the same as they were just to please you."

"And I wouldn't have you change anything about you Kate." He stated. "Regardless of how we were made to marry, I was going to marry you at some point." She blushed and rubbed her neck uneasily. "I'm going to have a talk with you Polly in private, but you will do as my wife asks."

Kate exhales in relief as Polly shoots him a dark look. "I'm your family."

"She's part of the family too, she's my wife. She asked you to leave here for a month, that's not unreasonable." He's silent for a moment. "For my sake, I want you to do as she asks."

Polly is silent for a long moment. "She's like Grace. She made you weak."

Thomas stiffened up in anger; she slides her hand into his. His grip was firm, nearly crushing her hand, but she held onto him. "Grace was the love of his life. Do not bring her up or compare her to me again."

"She-

"Ever!" Kate bites out. "It's low of you to use her in a manner, especially to hurt him."

"I've always been there for you." Polly states quietly, the hurt now creeping into her cold voice. "And you're casting me aside for her?"

"You made me chose Polly." He stated. "She's done nothing to deserve this."

"Let's see how she stands by you when you have those dark days and you lose yourself in the opium and nightmares." Kate glowers at her. "She's not cut out for someone like you."

"Don't underestimate a nurse." Kate replies. "We're taught to bring healing. Thomas helped me and I'll help him. That's what a marriage is. A partnership." The phone rings, causing her to jump. "I'll get it." She heads towards the ringing hall phone and picks it up. "Hello?"

Kate? This is Ada.

"Hello Ada." She leans against the small table. "Did you get the cake?"

Yes, it was lovely! We're enjoying it now. Thank you!

"I was in the area and you've been so kind to me, I wanted to repay it. It's a German cake, so, I wasn't sure you'd be too familiar with it.

I wasn't, it's delicious and Karl loves the sugar rose.

"Thank you." A hand on her backside causes her to jump. "Whoa." Thomas winks at her as he passes by with Polly. She shakes her head at him. "Behave Thomas!"

What was that?

"Sorry, your brother grabbed me as he passed by."

Ada laughs. Really? Tommy grabbed you? Where?

Kate blushed as he shut the door. "The posterior."

Ada howls. I don't care what Polly thinks, Tom's head over heels in love with you. Kate chuckles faintly along with her. Speaking of my aunt, how are things going with her? Has she adjusted to you yet?

"Not so well. I asked her to move out."

Ada gasped. You did what? Tommy will never go for that.

"Actually," she looks at the door. "he agreed to it. They're discussing it in private now."

Ada is silent for a long moment. Are you serious? Tom agreed with you?

"Yes." She exhales. "We do want this marriage to work. I do love your brother Ada, for our sake, we need time to adjust to our roles as husband and wife without any outside influence. I don't want her gone; we just need some boundaries in place."


"I'm warning you," Polly states as she follows him to his desk. "this woman is going to lead you on and hurt you."

"You've no way of knowing that." Thomas states as he sits down. "It's just for a few weeks Polly, you can handle it."

"I don't like her manipulating you. You should have stuck by me."

"Normally, I would have." He sits up in his chair. "But then…I saw a man put a loaded gun to her skull today." His stomach churned as that horrible picture came to his mind again. He could have lost his third wife today. "Do you know what she did? She didn't flinch or cry. I could have lost her in that moment. But she stayed calm and when she looked at me, I saw that she wasn't scared because she trusted me to get her out of there safely." He holds her gaze as he confesses again. "I love her Polly."

"So you've told us all before." Polly exhales. "I don't see any affection towards you on her part at all. I know, she's going to hurt you."

"No one can hurt me anymore." He states quietly. "Kate is very different than Grace or Lizzie. And she is affectionate towards me. We kiss and flirt a bit; she just needs a little bit longer."

"How much longer does she need?" she demands. "I know you; your patience can only last so long."

"I appreciate the concern, but…it's time for you to move along and let us alone for a bit. Things will happen when it's right." She's silent for a long time. "I know you're always there for me when I need you."

Polly nods as she holds his gaze. "I hope you're right about her Tommy. I really do."