Angel in Black (41 page)

Chin Li stood back shyly, her own eyes misted from the touching scene played out before her. Jason woke up at the noise and gurgled at his mother. Rebecca sniffed, her tears under control, and turned to Katrina’s friend and the child she carried. A small gasp escaped Rebecca when the baby’s golden gaze met her own.

Katrina walked over to Li and lifted the happy baby into her arms. “Ryon and Rebecca, may I present my dear friend, Chin Li.” She turned to Li and continued. “Li, this is Ryon and Rebecca Roberts, Blake’s brother and sister-in-law.”

After they politely acknowledged the introductions, Katrina looked to Rebecca and Ryon. “This is my son, Jason.”

Rebecca hugged both mother and child. She extended her arms and took Jason to her, kissing his forehead tenderly. Ryon remained silent, his mouth still gaping open in surprise.

“J-Jason,” he finally stuttered, tears filling his own brown eyes as he closed the distance between himself and Katrina.

“Yes,” Katrina said softly, keenly aware of the delicate situation. “Your grandfather was dear to me, Ryon. I hope you do not mind me naming my son after him.”

Ryon grabbed her in an affectionate bear hug. “Mind? I am filled with joy, Katrina. He would have been proud his first great-grandson was given his name.”

It slipped out before Ryon had a chance to think and his blunder brought a crimson flush to his cheeks. Seeing everyone’s discomfort, Katrina smiled warmly.

“Jason is Blake’s son; I am not ashamed of that fact. He is a beautiful boy, with his father’s looks — his father’s golden eyes. I cannot hide his identity from anyone who knows Blake, nor would I wish to. If you have any reservations accepting Blake’s bastard into your home, I will understand and leave.”

Rebecca ran forward, her eyes filled with pain. “Katrina, I’m hurt you would think so unfavorably of us. You will stay with us for as long as you wish, you are considered a member of this family and always will be. And since when do any of us care what others think? Besides, when Blake returns, I am certain you two will work out your differences.”

“Rebecca,” chided Ryon, uncertain how to tell Katrina about Blake’s sudden departure. It was all so overwhelming. But the look on Katrina’s face alarmed him, so he attempted to explain. “He has been gone for some time, Katrina. He does not know you are alive.”

Always the optimistic, Rebecca added, “I am sure he will be thrilled to see you and his son.”

Katrina’s sad, bitter laughter took them all off guard. “Thrilled?” Her voice cracked with suppressed emotion. “It’s not the word I would use to describe his reaction when we last saw one another.”

Everyone chimed in at once, all saying the same thing. “You’ve seen Blake?”

“Yes,” answered Katrina, her voice hard. “Unbelievably, on an island in the South Seas, so I doubt he will be coming home soon. It seems he has taken to heart certain lies fabricated by a red-haired bitch we all know. He made it clear
exactly
what he thought of me and my son. So, if you please, I will not speak on the matter again.”

Katrina turned, walked stiffly across the room to a small table, and poured herself a liberal amount of brandy. Anger bolted through her so fiercely, she shook from the force of it. Closing her eyes, she gulped the liquor down; the burning sensation eased the terrible agony in her heart. She concentrated on replacing the visions of Blake with Langsford’s evil face, turning her thoughts to him. Immediately relieved, the familiar hatred churned inside of her, rescuing her from the pain she could not face. The sweet revenge she had waited so long to exact was close at hand. She could taste it, smell it, feel it.

Everyone watched Katrina, unable to say or do anything but stare. They observed the subtle changes in her, but only Li knew what they meant. Katrina understood the hatred inside of her, it was something she could deal with, but Blake’s betrayal she could not. The pain and sorrow he inflicted, the bitter loneliness in her heart, it would destroy her — Katrina did not have the strength to defeat it. So she chose to put it from her mind, to ignore its existence. She replaced all else with something she did not fear, her loathing of Lawrence Langsford.

When Katrina faced her friends again, her face showed no emotion, all neatly tucked away. “Forgive me, I must be tired.”

Rebecca wrapped her arm about Katrina’s shoulders, her voice sad and sympathetic. “No, forgive us, we —”

Katrina held up her hand, stopping Rebecca. “It is nice to be home again.”

“I’ll take you to your rooms.” Rebecca smiled and said no more.

David stepped forward and took her hand into his. “I will say good night and see you tomorrow, Katrina.” He placed a light kiss on her cheek and left.

When Rebecca started to leave the room, Katrina said, “I have something I wish to discuss with Ryon. I’ll be up shortly.”

When they were left alone, an uneasy feeling descended on Ryon. Uncertain of what he should say, he was relieved when Katrina spoke first. “I have two favors to ask of you, Ryon.”

Ryon answered happily, “Anything, Katrina. Grandfather said should you need our help, you had but to ask.”

She swallowed hard and smiled in return, the task before her a difficult one. “Thank you, Ryon. First of all, I would like you to locate someone, Chin Li’s love. They were separated about the same time I was taken. I would like to see them together again; she is dear to me.”

Katrina gave Ryon the information he would need to locate Yee Ling. She plunged on and made her second request. “I plan to leave in the morning. I would appreciate it if you would look after Li and Jason for me.”

“Leave?” Ryon frowned. “You just got home. Katrina, what is going on? You are kidnapped and a woman is found dead — a woman we thought to be you. Months later, John receives a brief note — explaining little except you are alive and will return. After a year, you are here, with no explanations offered. You say you have seen my brother, but will not speak of it. What the hell has happened? I believe we have a right to know.”

Angered by his questions, yet, knowing he was in the right, culminated in frustration and impatience. Combined with her already strained nerves she snapped back, “I cannot explain! Not yet. You will have to accept this, for I cannot tell you more. I must return to Tattershall, and I need to go alone.”

Ryon did not understand, and the reasons given were not enough. “Why must you go to the village?”

Katrina drew a deep breath and did what she had hoped not to do, she lied. “I need time to think, Ryon. To sort out the mess my life is in.”

Cleverly, Katrina sought to appeal to his sense of compassion. “I still have a husband, or have you forgotten? Everyone believes me dead, including Randolph. A year has gone by and everyone will want to know what has happened. I do not know if I am ready to face all those explanations, Ryon. It has all been tremendously difficult and not easy to explain.”

She paused a moment, the lies falling into place easily. Her hesitation played on Ryon’s imagination as he tried to figure out the horrible things Katrina must have endured and suffered in the last year.

“I am married to a man you know I hate. And now, I have a son, and he is undeniably Blake’s and not my estranged husband’s. The father of my child thinks me a whore and anything else he can think of foul enough for me to deserve. When he saw me again — he wanted to kill me, Ryon. The last time we were together, he left money for me to find the morning after. Does that not speak his mind clearly enough?”

The impact of her words was clear on Ryon’s face. “Oh, Katrina — I
am
so sorry.”

Katrina hated what she was doing, but knew she must continue. “Ryon, I just need some time alone, before others learn I am alive. I need to know Chin Li and my son will be taken care of in my absence. Please, Ryon. I need some time to myself. To decide what I am to do.”

When he hesitated, Katrina added her last plea in desperation. “There is so much pain inside me and an anger I cannot control. I must come to terms with it; surely you can understand. Do not cross me, Ryon. I will do it, with or without your help.”

Ryon saw her determination, and yes, he could understand her reasons for wanting the time alone. Blake hurt them all, but Katrina had to be experiencing the greatest pain. “All right, Katrina. I can’t stop you, and you needn’t worry about Chin Li and Jason. You have my assurance they will be well taken care of while you are away.”

Relief flooded through her as her plan fell into place. “Thank you, Ryon.”

I
T WAS DARK BY
the time the coach lumbered into the quiet village. It seemed a lifetime since Katrina last walked down the narrow streets of Tattershall, yet the crowded cottages all looked the same. She made her way down the cobbled lanes to the dear little cottage, with its sparse furniture and drafty walls. The familiar worn door stood before her, the place where she had slept for most of the last ten years just beyond. She was home at last.

For a moment, she merely stood taking in the smells and sounds she had longed for. Inside she heard Jake’s familiar cackle and Jenny’s merry twitter as they shared their meal, its aroma teasing her nostrils. The light inside flickered and cast their shadows into the darkness outside. Her heart pounded hard when she reached for the latch, and it lurched erratically when John’s deep voice reached her. Dear Johnny! Katrina closed her eyes and tried to calm herself before she lifted the handle.

A bowl fell from Jenny’s hand and rolled about the floor. Everyone stared at the small figure standing in the doorway; no one moved, the moment frozen in time.

“Oh, my God,” John finally muttered and stepped forward to wrap her in his large arms. He twirled her about the room in happiness and relief. When at last he let go and Katrina turned to Jake and Jenny, tears were streaming down their wrinkled cheeks. She hugged them both and soothed their fears, reassuring them she was all right. It was some time before any of them were calm enough to speak.

During the commotion, no one heard the noise outside until a thunderous crash at the door startled them. At first, everyone stood bewildered; but elation lit Katrina’s face and she ran to throw it open.

Blackstar stood outside, his head bobbing up and down wildly, shaking with excitement. Katrina squealed with delight and wrapped her arms lovingly about his neck, letting him lift her from the ground as he snorted loudly in her ear.

“Oh, Blackstar — how I have missed you.” Happy beyond measure, Katrina took him back to the shed and calmed him, her voice and presence soothing the black beast. When she returned, they all sat at the table and Katrina related all that had happened in the past year. Jenny cried during her tale, but the news of Jason’s birth brought tears of joy, followed by disappointment Katrina had left him in London. But when the story was complete, they all understood Katrina’s reasons and knew the danger she and her son were in. Lawrence Langsford had failed, again, to rid himself of his niece, and they all knew he would be more determined to succeed in the deed. Now, there was also her son, a new threat to him, one he would not abide with grace. The only consolation was Langsford did not know Katrina was alive and, for now, they were safe.

L
ANGSFORD’S COACH PULLED INTO
Camray with a third passenger on board. Catherine Ramsey stepped gracefully from the luxurious interior, her gloved hand resting on Lawrence’s proffered arm. A flicker of emotion crossed her eyes as her thoughts turned to Katrina … and revenge.

Catherine’s triumphant smile reminded Lawrence of a cat about to pounce on a defenseless mouse. Had someone besides him seen her look, they would have fully expected her to lick her lips hungrily.

Chapter Twenty-five

I
MPATIENT,
B
LAKE WAITED FOR
Trevor to board the longboat bound for shore. Once on the dock, Blake quickly found out when Katrina’s ship arrived. Panic hit him head on when he discovered they were two full days behind her.

“She could still be in London, Blake,” suggested Trevor as the two men made their way to Blake’s townhouse. “Katrina hasn’t had time to get into any trouble, I’m sure.”

Cold amber eyes flashed at Trevor and Blake’s lips twisted into a sad smile. “You certainly don’t know Katrina as I do.”

Blake looked away to hide his distress, but Trevor was not fooled.

“Katrina is trouble. I knew it the first time I laid eyes on her, riding her beast of a horse.”

His comment agitated Trevor and he rushed to Katrina’s defense, his feelings clear in his tone. “You’re being unfair. Katrina does not look for trouble, I know her well enough to realize that.” Blake turned his gaze back to Trevor. Expecting an angry response, he was surprised instead by the look of dismay etched upon his haggard face.

“She does not have to look for trouble, Trevor, it finds her. Katrina’s beauty has a tendency to bring out the worst in men. I can certainly attest to that. When I am around her I lose all control.”

Trevor cleared his throat, uncertain what to say, uncomfortable at the turn in conversation. Blake’s next question was unexpected.