Chapter 4
A handsome gentleman ran from room to room on the verge of bursting with excitement. "Tierra darling," he shouted with a laugh. "Where are you, love?"
A slim blonde rushed from the study and into his strong arms, giggling as she was grabbed about the waist and twirled around. "Page! I was occupied with the accounts. My goodness, what is it? Tell me before you have some sort of attack."
Setting her on her feet, Page Vogel held his bethrod close glancing down at the letter in his hand. "I've just received the best news of my life, sweetheart! The very best! Do you recall a conversation we'd had last spring of a gentleman from Collinsport, Maine?"
"Collinsport?" Tierra thought for a moment, her brow charmingly furrowed. "Of the man who owns the shipyard?"
"Yes. Barnabas Collins." Page handed her the post. "In truth it is his family handles the shipping business. Mr. Collins himself is a breeder of exceptional Arabians." The blonde trembled as her fiancé's voice dropped to a low seductive timbre. "Darling, the man is coming here! He wishes to discuss a purchase!" Tierra beamed up at him. She couldn't help but share in his excitement. It was her beloved's lifelong wish to become a world renowned horseman.
Kissing him on the tip of his nose, her eyes rove over the words she clutched in her hands. "I don't understand," she frowned. "It says Mr. Collins will be arriving by the end of the week. But Page, this is dated over a month ago."
"I know. There was a major delay with delivery. You can be certain I have taken the postmaster to task."
"Yes. I'm quite sure," she giggled. "I shall instruct Penelope to ready a room for our guest at once."
"Not just yet, love." Clutching her hand, Page pulled her tightly into his strong embrace. "Tierra!" he whispered against her lips. "Arabians! Just think of the awesome possibilities! All of my hopes for our future are coming true!" Opening her mouth to answer, Tierra found herself instantly swept up in a kiss so heady, so passionate she nearly swooned. They were unfortunately disrupted by the sound of someone loudly clearing their throat. Page cursed under his breath, pulling away. "Yes, James. What is it?"
The butler reddened. "Forgive me, but I do believe there is a situation that requires your immediate attention." At his employer's raised eyebrows, he added, "in the entryway, sir." Curious, Tierra followed the pair and noted an attractive young woman smartly dressed standing in the vestibule with downcast eyes, a missive clutched tightly between gloved fingers.
"How do you do, Miss? I am Page Vogel. Might I be of some assistance?" Wordlessly, Kathleena handed him the envelope. Frowning down at the top of her head, he glanced at the elegant scrawl. "Why, Tierra…this is addressed to you."
Surprised, she took the note. Who could possibly be writing her? Breaking the seal, Tierra smiled at the signature. "Oh," she thrilled, "It's from Maddy! I haven't heard from her in ages and ages." The smile began to fade from her lips as she quickly read her Aunt's poignant words once and then again. Slowly, soft brown eyes traveled from the page to the woman finally coming to rest on her beloved. "James, do offer our lovely guest some refreshments in the White Salon, if you please. We shall join in a moment." With a bow, the servant led the quiet lass down the hall and into a large drawing room. "Darling," she whispered, lest the woman hear. "We must speak. Immediately."
Following her to the study, he closed the door. "What is happening here? Who is she?"
Taking a chair behind the desk, Tierra closed the accounts ledger and pushed it aside. Where to start? "Oh Page," she gushed, her words pouring from her mouth. "It is quite incredible. The woman is my Aunt Madeline's new stepdaughter. From what I can gather, Miss Kathleena Tell returned to her father's estate when her studies in England came to an end. Here, I'm not completely clear as to the why of it but, according to Maddy, a situation developed making Kathleena's stay in France too dangerous. Darling, believe me when I tell you that Madeline would never ask for a favor of this magnitude unless she truly had no other option." She added quietly, "Page, the woman must have gone through some horrific ordeal for she has recently become mute. Her only form of communication is through writing." Tierra stood and came to him then. "I know that this is a terrible burden on you at this particular time since Mr. Collins' unexpected arrival is imminent, but please, might she stay?"
Page gazed down into her beguiling features. With a sigh he pulled her tightly against him. He could refuse her nothing. "Of course she may stay, my love. Perhaps you and she will become fast friends." He then smiled as a thought came to him. "I believe this is truly fate for I am not at all certain how long Collins plans to remain in Pennsylvania. I may find that I will not have as much time to devote to you as I do now." Placing a loving kiss on Tierra's wrist, he rubbed her palm erotically. "Shall we rejoin the first of our two new house guests?"
Perched gracefully before a comfortable fire while sipping a hearty cup of coffee, the Frenchwoman rose with down cast eyes as the doors opened. Page Vogel approached. "Welcome to our home, Miss Tell. You may remain here as long as you wish."
Refusing his hand held out in hospitality, she instead chose to bow graciously in thanks. While she waited, Kathleena had used the time to think. No longer would she make use of her rare ability, deciding that she had sufficient troubles of her own and no longer wished to experience others' thoughts of sorrow and misfortune. Shooting Tierra a look of confusion, Page frowned. Puzzled herself, she shrugged. "And may I introduce Madeline's niece, Tierra Benjamin." His black brow furrowed even deeper as Kathleena lifted her head, smiling warmly to her hostess in greeting. Something was greatly amiss here. Something strange indeed. But what? He couldn't quite put his finger on it. Calling for his man, Page made the introduction. "James, this is Kathleena Tell. She will be staying with us until further notice. Show her to the Green Room, please."
"Yes sir. Immediately. This way, Miss."
Noting Kathleena's hesitance, comprehension dawned. She was extremely fearful of men. Page instead turned toward his fiancee. "Darling, perhaps it would be best were you to show her the way." From the corner of his eye, he watched the woman's body ease physically. "The Green Room, darling." Page's gaze fixated on the two as they ascended the staircase, so lost in thought he jerked at the touch of a hand on his sleeve.
"Yes?"
Following his master's line of vision, the servant shook his head. "Sir, her animal is tied to the post. Shall I have it delivered to the stables?"
Page held up a quieting hand until he heard the closing of a door. He'd truly valued his butler's opinion having known the man since he was but a tyke. "Wait. Tell me, James. What is your impression of her?"
The butler frowned. "Forgive me for saying sir, but never have I seen a woman so terrified. I can only compare her to one who has been brutalized... someone almost afraid to face…"
Page cut in, "Almost afraid to face what the future holds?" At his servant's nod, Page muttered to himself, "Yes, I believe that is it exactly."
His man continued, more from a personal, wistful perspective. "Tis indeed a shame, sir The miss is so very lovely. She has her whole life ahead of her. For one so young, she should not be so downtrodden."
A scowl deepened the lines about the younger man's lips. Belatedly, he added, "Thank you, James.. And yes, please see to her mount."
"Miss Tell, this shall be your room during your stay. I trust you will find it comfortable," Tierra opened the double doors and Kathleena couldn't help but smile as she passed the threshold. True to its name, the room was painted in various hues of vert. An enormous Elizabethan canopy stood upon a raised dais in the center of the room. A feminine vanity and writing desk rested against one wall. An ornate armoire graced another all in stunning mahogany tones. Overwhelmed by the beauty of the chamber, Kathleena turned to her hostess. Tierra could see intense gratitude radiating from expressive pale blue eyes.
Tierra watched on as Kathleena quickly scribed on a slate handing her the lines. 'Words cannot convey how much I appreciate your and your fiancé's hospitality. Merci beaucoup.'
She smiled warmly. "There is no need for all of that, Miss Tell."
Quickly, the French woman snapped her fingers and the blonde returned the board.
'Kathleena.'
"Kathleena," she confirmed. "And of course you must call me... Tierra." Her voice faded to a whisper as she realized the impossibility of such an action. Clearing her throat uncomfortably, the blonde added, "Oh, by the by, to where shall I send a servant for your belongings?"
The frenchwoman scribbled more words, causing her hostess to frown slightly. 'The inn. Room seven.'
"I will see to it immediately. Rest now. Dinner is at six." Stepping out into the corridor, Tierra rested her forehead against the door's smooth surface. Being a kind and compassionate woman to a fault, a tear coursed down her cheek as she sadly pondered how Kathleena had lost her ability to speak.
Leaning against the wooden panel, Kathleena sniffed as she angrily flicked an errant tear from her cheek. So much pity everywhere she went. How she despised that single useless emotion. It suffocated her. It solved nothing. With a silent groan, her gaze suddenly fell upon the comfortable looking bed. Having gotten at most an hours worth of rest this morning, she slid beneath the sheets and inhaled deeply allowing sleep to pull her into its comforting embrace. Unbidden, thoughts returned to the previous night causing her to shudder violently. How close she'd come to being viciously violated by that brutal man.
And then, as her eyelids began to close, Kathleena's thoughts turned to her rescuer. How had he come to be there in her chamber? More importantly, what if he hadn't been? The most puzzling question of all... Why had she felt so tempted to gaze up into his face? Why, for she knew the severe punishment that would surely befall her. Just the idea of disobeying Duncan's order made her realize that the Englishman was a danger. For all she knew he may have been in league with her betrothed.
Suddenly Kathleena shot up, nearly physically ill as she mentally tied that murderer's name with the words 'her "anything"' Breathing deeply to calm herself, she fell back against the pillows. The last conscious thought before sleep finally claimed her was the secure knowledge that she had no further plans to return to town. The chances were slight of her ever meeting the man again...
Unconsciously, her mind spun... the man with the magnificently delicious voice.
Hours later, Kathleena awoke feeling totally rested. She glanced at the clock on the mantel. Half past five. Dinner would be served shortly. Quickly washing at the basin and, with a brush from the vanity, tending her hair, she looked down at herself with a frown. There wasn't much she could do about her rumpled gown. Unless – Quietly, she opened the door and smiled. Her bags were neatly stacked in the corridor. As she stooped to haul a piece into her room, a thick voice addressed her.
"Miss Tell?"
Immediately she froze.
"I'm sorry if I've startled you. May I offer some assistance?"
Certain to keep her eyes averted, Kathleena nodded her thanks as Page easily hoisted her luggage into the chamber, placing them before the armoire. Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, only to frown as the young woman withdrew. Holding up his hands in mock surrender, he continued, trying to sound reassuring, "Please believe me, you've nothing to fear. No one will harm you here."
Her brow furrowed. (If only…)
"I actually came to your room with a specific purpose. I wish to speak with you for a moment if I may." Surprised, Kathleena raised her brows but addressed him as before, her eyes downcast. Page sighed. He simply didn't understand. He did nothing untoward to the girl. "My fiancée, Tierra," he began, "not only is she my betrothed, she is my helpmate, my partner. She is with me constantly. That being said, she does not have many social contacts and is in great need of a friend. I would appreciate-" Kathleena raised her hand and lifted her face to him. Although her eyes were firmly closed, she nodded with a smile of understanding.
"Thank you, Miss Tell."
With a shake of her head she turned to the desk, jotting a few lines on paper. 'No, Monsieur Vogel. It is I who should thank you. Please, I am Kathleena.'
"Page," he offered, lowering her words. "I shall leave you to change." As an afterthought, he turned. "Might I provide a servant to assist you during your stay?"
Although she knew she would have trouble with the buttons on her gown, Kathleena smiled gratefully but shook her head, refusing his very generous offer. Duncan's warning of betrayal had forced her to care for herself for months and she would continue on alone. Actually, she had become surprisingly self-sufficient.
Nodding, he added, "Until dinner then."
The meal was quite pleasant indeed. As the pair lovingly bantered, boisterously debating their two distinct opinions on various sheep breeding methods Kathleena listened intently. She couldn't help but smile when Page spoke excitedly of the future; of possibly changing the entire property over to breed the fine Arabians he hoped to garner from this Mr. Barnabas Collins. She had never heard such passion. Kathleena, too, appreciated the couple's friendly overts as they tried to include her in their discussions, asking yes and no questions to which she could simply nod or shake her head in answer.
After swallowing a bite of perfectly seasoned sweet potato, Tierra turned to their dinner companion. "From where in France do you hail, my dear?" Her eyes lit up. "Paris?" she asked breathlessly.
The Frenchwoman charmingly wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
"Darling," Page reminded in a hushed whisper, "Kathleena has no pad. Surely she is unable to answer your question."
They turned in unison at the sound of snapping fingers. As the couple sat across from her, Kathleena placed her finger on the tablecloth. With her other hand, she wrote an invisible letter P.
"Paris?" Page asked.
She nodded happily. Running her finger along the table toward her and then off to her right, she tapped her fingertip three times. Slowly she wrote the letters: B-E-L-F-O-R-T.
"Oh, I see." This from Tierra. "You are from a town called Belfort. Northwest of Paris?"
Kathleena nodded again and clapped her hands gaily. A servant stepped forward with a platter as she finished. "More lamb, Miss Tell?"
As she chose a piece of the meticulously roasted mutton, Tierra whispered to Page. "Yes love, I believe you are right. I am certain we shall become great friends. She is a gem."
Smiling at her breathtaking face so close to his, he forgot himself for a moment and playfully nipped her earlobe. "I told you so, my pet."
Lowering her head, Kathleen felt instantly uncomfortable. With the realization she'd witnessed something so incredibly intimate, something she herself would never experience, she swiped a napkin across her lips, stood and rushed from the room.
"No, wait," Page said grabbing Tierra's hand as she quickly made to follow. "Let her be. I'm certain there is more to this than my simple show of affection toward you although, I must admit, that wasn't well done of me at all. She has been through so much. Give her a period to adjust. Some 'breathing room' as they say." As his fiance bestowed on him a look of such desire, he groaned reluctantly turning his attention back toward his now unwanted meal.
The full moon hung like a bright lantern in the dark sky guiding her way as she ran from the manor. The air smelled crisp and heady as the autumn leaves rustled in the breeze. Kathleena paused at the sound of a familiar nicker and strode toward the stables. She lovingly rubbed her mare's velvety muzzle. (What's the matter, darling? Bored?) Taking ahold of the horse's halter, she clicked her tongue and led the animal down the gas lit drive, heading toward the sound of trickling water off in the distance. Kathleena discovered a babbling brook beside the path and sat upon the cold ground, waiting as her horse drank the cool liquid and grazed the last bits of green grass.
Suddenly, Deidra lifted her large head with a snort causing the woman to peer into the darkness. (What is it, girl? What's out there?) Pinning back long ears, the animal screamed, galloping back to the shelter in fright. (Fantastic!) As she stood brushing leaves from her shapely rump, Kathleena felt as though she were being spied upon.
(No! Please not again!) Her heart began to drum wildly in her breast as she frantically tried to locate the source of her fear. Immediately she stilled as a massive dog stepped from the edge of the forest. It possessed a thick pelt of jet black, golden eyes, intense and burning. She could hear the beast's weighty breath as it focused on her face. She could see a huge tongue unfurling over sharp fangs glistening in the moonlight, licking powerful bone-crushing jaws. Knowing she shouldn't stare, shouldn't challenge, Kathleena was alarmed to find she could neither turn away from nor close her eyes against its penetrating gaze.
The canine suddenly ambled toward her, slowly closing the gap between them. Staring straight ahead and forcing herself to remain calm lest the creature sense her unease and attack, Kathleena tensed as something soft brushed against her. Looking down, she realized that the animal was rubbing its enormous head against her firm thigh, startling her as it uttered a mournful whine. An immediate wave of despair washed over her. For what reason she did not understand, Kathleena felt strangely apathetic to its distress and, despite the obvious danger, slowly, cautiously ran her long fingers through its smooth coat. Apparently the dog enjoyed her gentle touch for its icy tongue began to vigorously, almost passionately lick the rapid pulse in her warm wrist. She sighed and closed her eyes at the oddly tranquil sensation, unaware of strong jaws now open, ready to clamp down...
"Kathleena! Kathleena? Where are you?" Snarling low in its throat, the animal sprinted off, surprisingly soundless for being of such a size. "There you are," Tierra said. "Thank goodness! When your horse returned without you, the stable boy- well, you're all right now." Noting the woman's dilated eyes and look of confusion, Tierra grabbed the woman's hand, finding it positively cold. "You are alright aren't you?" Kathleena nodded slowly with a reassuring smile, peering in vain into the darkness of the forest. As they returned to the manor house, neither was aware of the gaunt man with intense burning eyes standing at the edge of the woods, watching them. Watching her. Running an icy tongue over pale lips, he growled deep in his throat, the sound remarkably animalistic.