Angel in Black (27 page)

Blake and Katrina burst out laughing and exchanged tender glances. “I’ll make an exception only for you, little brother.”

Katrina took Ryon’s extended arm and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. For the first time Katrina noticed the eyes watching them and remarked, “It seems we are being watched, Ryon.”

“There is nothing you can do tonight that will not be noticed. I fear your reputation is being ripped apart by all the wicked women here, green with envy and jealousy. Blake’s apparent possessiveness has not helped either.”

Katrina’s laughter mixed with the music.

“You don’t care?” asked Ryon, seeing her lightheartedness in the way her eyes sparkled.

She shook her head and smiled. “Not in the least.”

“They will assume you and Blake are having an affair.”

Katrina met Ryon’s brown eyes and smiled. “But we are having an affair. I do not know these people, they are not my friends. So why should I care what they think or say? The people I do care about know me and love me for the person I am, not what I do.”

Ryon remained silent for a moment, his next question as blunt as her statement. “Do you love Blake?”

“It does not matter if I do or not. At this moment, he needs me and I need him. It is enough.”

Ryon saw Katrina did love Blake, and for some reason, he felt sad. “Tell me, Katrina. Will it always be enough?”

“I don’t know,” she answered. “I try not to think of things to come. It does no good to dwell on the future, for it will be the same, no matter what.”

The dance ended and they started back to where Blake waited. Katrina saw the bored look on his face, and when they drew closer she understood the cause of it. Catherine Ramsey leaned close to whisper something in his ear to purposefully allow him a clear view of her bosom. Katrina felt the old fury stir within her.

When Ryon saw Catherine as well, he knew it didn’t bode well. Darting a glance at Katrina, the cold, grim set of her mouth told him everything. He smiled. He wouldn’t miss this encounter for the world. He and Katrina approached the other couple.

Katrina heard Catherine’s shrill laughter and the sound grated on her nerves. She came up just in time to overhear the woman’s last remark to Blake.

“I’m certain you are not expected to dance with your little charge all night long, darling. I’m sure she would understand if you were to dance with others; after all, she is.”

Blake saw Katrina then and she smiled at him. His eyebrow lifted in amusement. Catherine noticed his attention had wandered and then found herself face to face with Katrina.

“Lady Ramsey, I assure you, Blake is free to dance with whomever he likes.” Katrina spoke politely. None of the feeling so apparent in her eyes was heard in her smooth voice.

“That’s very generous of you, Rina — I mean, Lady Easton.” Catherine’s voice dripped with sarcasm as her green eyes flashed. “After all, it was only out of courtesy to the King Blake escorted you. That is what I heard — you know how quickly gossip spreads at court.”

Katrina moved to Blake’s side and wrapped her hand around his arm, knowing Catherine seethed with jealousy. She parried with the older woman, her voice sweet and innocent. “Yes, Lady Ramsey, I am most fortunate to have this most handsome man as my escort. And to think I also have the privilege of his company during the day …” she paused a second for effect, “and night. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Catherine gasped in surprise. Her eyes narrowed dangerously and it looked as if she might actually attack her rival.

“Oh, by the way,” Katrina said with a smile, “Don’t bother saving a dance for Blake — he has promised them all to me. So sorry, dear, but tonight he is all mine.”

In a quick, insistent manner, Blake pulled Katrina away before Lady Ramsey exploded, but most of all, before he busted out laughing. Ryon trailed behind them. Blake chuckled softly and whispered into her ear, “You are vicious, little one.”

Once the threesome reached a private alcove, Katrina turned to Blake. “She deserved it, Blake. I’ll not allow anyone to walk all over me.”

“You would have disappointed me if you had.”

“And I would have been dreadfully disillusioned had she bested you.”

Everyone turned in surprise to see Lieutenant Greerson standing nearby. Katrina’s face lit up as she greeted him. “David, I’m so glad to see you.”

“And I you. The last time I looked upon your beautiful face was after you tumbled down an embankment and injured yourself. I trust you are well?”

Blake remained silent and observed the lieutenant; he could not miss the obvious tenderness in the young man’ eyes. David’s eyes sparkled with genuine concern as he took in every detail of Katrina’s appearance.

Katrina’s welcome reception and use of the lieutenant’s Christian name did nothing to ease his sudden burst of jealousy, and the fact this man knew her secret kept him ill at ease.

Katrina replied to his inquiry, “I’m very well, David. Thanks to you.”

“Yes.” Blake tried to cover his initial hostility and offered his hand to the man, managing to keep his voice neutral. “Good to see you, David. It was fortunate you and Ryon were nearby to help Katrina. I am grateful to you both.”

A servant approached Katrina; the King wished to have the next dance with his ward and she rushed off to oblige. Ryon excused himself to find Rebecca, leaving the two men standing alone. The next few minutes were awkward as they stood and watched Katrina dance with the King of England.

“She is quite a woman, Blake. You are a lucky man,” David said wistfully. “Very lucky indeed.”

“Yes.” Blake’s jaw tightened as the now familiar jealousy quickly undermined his common sense. He saw the admiration plastered on the young man’s face as they both watched Katrina’s every movement. He heard the tone of his voice turn cold and harsh. “Tell me, David, what did Katrina do to convince you to let her go? She told me you knew she was the Angel, and yet you allowed her to go free. Why?”

Shock registered on David’s face and he glanced nervously about him.

“No need to worry,” assured Blake. “It seems we both share her secret. By allowing the Angel her freedom you not only risk your career, but your life as well. Now tell me, what changed your mind?”

David looked at Blake, remaining calm under his fiery scrutiny and dark suspicions. He countered with a challenge of his own. “How long have you known what she was up to?”

Blake considered holding back the truth, but decided against it. “Since the first night.”

“So —” David’s voice reflected disappointment. “How far were you prepared to go to protect her? All those nights we rode together … were you ready to kill me if needed?”

“I truly don’t know,” Blake admitted. “I have killed to protect her before, and I suppose I must admit I would have killed you if it had become necessary.”

The lieutenant sighed. “You are honest about it, and I appreciate your candor.”

“And you have my apology for having deceived you.”

Blake’s regret was sincere and David chuckled. “I actually understand your reasons, as you said before I put much at risk by letting her go free.”

“But,” Blake pressed. “You have yet to tell me why.”

“It surprises me, Blake, that you trust Katrina so little.”

“You try my patience, David. Why would you risk so much for a woman you barely know? Are you in love with her?”

This made David smile again. “Katrina Easton is truly remarkable, and I don’t think I’ve ever admired a woman more.”

“Do you toy with me? I warn you,” Blake’s manner and tone reflected his words, “speak clearly your feelings for Katrina. Or do you just enjoy seeing me worry?”

“You are right; perhaps I do enjoy seeing you squirm. Now, I offer my apology for taking advantage of your passion for her. And to answer your question, no, I do not love Katrina, not as you do. But, it would have been easy to do so. She has her beliefs and convictions, and stands by them no matter the consequences. As to why I actually let her go, it’s hard to explain. How could I condemn a woman with so much love in her heart? And no matter what, I shall always stand by her … as her friend.”

Blake stopped a servant and relieved him of a couple of glasses of champagne and handed one to the lieutenant. “Sometimes I act the fool, especially when it concerns Katrina. It seems she chooses her friends well. Shall we start again, David?”

The other man smiled and lifted his glass in salute: “To Katrina.”

“To what do I owe your tribute?” interrupted Katrina, returning to join them.

Blake looked at Katrina tenderly, his voice a soft caress. “For the privilege of knowing you, little one.”

Katrina’s eyes glowed with love. “No, I am the fortunate one to have three special men in my life.” She lifted her own glass and drank to them, “To my gallant men.”

Blake frowned. “Three?” he questioned quietly.

Ignoring Blake’s question, Katrina turned to the lieutenant. “David, I have broken your laws and lied to you. I have drawn my sword against you, and yet, you have proven to be a good and loyal friend. How can I ever repay my debt to you?”

David took Katrina’s hand and kissed it, his eyes filled with tenderness. “I ask only for your friendship and I shall always be near.”

Smiling, Katrina looked at Blake. “Blake, my love, you’ve saved my life, you’ve killed to protect me. What have I given you, except worry and pain?”

Blake dared to look deep into her eyes. Could it be true? Was it love he saw, or something else? Did he deserve to be loved by this woman?

“Oh, little one,” whispered Blake, “you have given of yourself. You, Katrina, have given me everything.” Blake lifted her hand and kissed the inside of her palm and, as always, the world stopped for them.

David coughed to get their attention. “You spoke of another, Katrina,” he said.

“Yes, I did. The third man is not here, but in Tattershall.”

As Katrina spoke, her face softened; a tender look of devotion so clear in her eyes Blake thought he might explode from the searing pain inside him.

“Johnny, my dearest Johnny — I miss him terribly.”

Blake fought hard to control the jealousy, but his voice came out strained. “The big blond fellow?”

Katrina nodded. “Yes, he has my eternal love.” She saw the hurt on Blake’s face and continued. “Blake, in truth he is no kin, but in my heart, Johnny is my brother and I am his sister. Our love is as strong as any bond of blood and nothing can break it or destroy it. Please understand; he will always have a special place in my life, for he is the brother I never had.”

“To John then,” David said.

Katrina started to speak but heard her name called. She froze when her uncle, Lawrence Langsford, and Randolph, his ever-present shadow, approached. For a brief instant, she was reminded of the devil and one of his disciples.

“Katrina? Is it really you?” cried Lawrence in mock surprise, his arms reaching out to her.

Katrina stepped away before he could hug her, unable to bear his touch. Perhaps taken aback by the unbridled hatred in her eyes, she saw him take a deep breath before he continued. “It is a miracle to find you alive, dear niece, after all these years.”

Lawrence’s voice gushed with false sympathy, but Katrina saw the evil flicker deep in his dark eyes. “I trust you have recovered from the terrible fall you took?”

“Yes,” Katrina said her voice emotionless and flat. “Isn’t it ironic those two bastards who meant to rape me actually did me a favor?” She watched his reaction carefully.

“In what way, Katrina?”

“Had they not been chasing me, I wouldn’t have hit my head and recovered my memory. It seems I owe them a great deal.”

With a casual air, she glanced from one Langsford to the other; her look telling them for now, what happened would remain between them.

Wary of her hidden agenda, Lawrence cleared his throat, uncomfortable beneath her gaze. He glanced warily at Blake and the lieutenant. “Katrina, there is much we need to discuss … alone. I plan to stop by soon to see you. It will give us the chance to get to know one another better. Perhaps clear up some minor details concerning Camray. When would be best for you, my dear?”

Katrina’s expression never changed and her voice maintained an even, clear tone. “We have nothing at all to discuss, Langsford; I have no wish to ever see you again. Furthermore, I am not your dear, nor your niece any longer, and you would be wise never to call me so again.”

Ignoring the gasps of surprise at her rudeness, she turned away. She did not need to see the flicker of anger in Lawrence’s eyes to know he was fuming. With a sweet smile, she ignored the Langsfords and lifted her hand to Blake. “I believe this dance is yours.”

Chapter Sixteen

T
HE STREETS WERE DARK
and empty, most people seeking the safety and warmth of their homes as the storm continued to release its fury. A downpour battered the lone rider, and the wind tore about him, whipping the rain into his face. He made his way to the inn just ahead and stopped in front of its sign swinging precariously on its hinges. Stiff and tired, Blake slid from his horse and handed the reins to a young stable boy who appeared from nowhere. He gave him instructions and coin before stepping inside.