And Those Who Trespass Against Us (21 page)

Catriona frowned. "He may have gone into town. I need to go there later myself." She seated herself as far away as possible from Katherine. "I'll check on him while I'm there."

An awkward silence descended over the table. Catriona nervously pursed her lips. "Katherine, about last night, I never meant to offend you in any way with my actions. In my defence, I had more whisky last night than I'd intended to." She placed her hands flat on the table. "I'll understand if you wish to move out. All I can offer is I'll be more circumspect with my drinking in the future."

"There's no need for an apology. We were both tired last night. As for moving out of the house, I think that's a little extreme. I'll leave if you want me to, but I'm happy to stay. Besides, I believe you may need some more assistance with Alexander over the next few days."

IN IRONIC RETROSPECT, Catriona couldn't help but think how correct Katherine had been, for that day heralded the beginning of a repetitive cycle with Alexander. He would rise early in the morning, ride into town, and spend his day propping up the bar at the local watering hole. He soon became withdrawn and sullen, not caring for the opinions of his friends or Father Cleary.

Catriona's days were consumed with riding into town, wagon hitched, to retrieve her brother. On arriving back at Gleneagle she'd bathe him and give him his dinner, which he barely touched. Despite her attempts to hide all the alcohol in the house, Alexander still managed to find it and drink himself into a stupor. The result was always the same, with Katherine helping Catriona get him to bed, the only difference being that Catriona never again allowed Katherine to see the same emotions she'd witnessed on the first night of Alexander's return.

As the first week passed, there was no respite in his actions. Alexander's cycle of self-destruction was one which neither Catriona nor anyone else could stop.

Chapter Ten

CATRIONA OPENED HER Farmer's Almanac and dutifully entered the temperature for the previous day. It was starting to heat up and wouldn't be long before the storm season arrived. She hoped the weather would hold off until they could get the harvest in. Maybe, she thought, Alex could employ the same workers they'd used the previous year.

Catriona closed her eyes and massaged her brow. Three weeks had passed since Alexander's return. Every day was the same emotionally draining routine, with her fetching her drunken brother from town, while Katherine attended to the household chores. The running of the farm, which normally absorbed Catriona's day, was thrust into the background, subordinated by her constant need to care for Alexander.

What would she do about the seed for the next sowing? Alex usually haggled over a fair price. Catriona sighed, frustrated at not only managing her share of the farming tasks, but also her brother's. She couldn't afford to wait for him to get better and decided it was about time she paid a visit to the farmer's co-op. Otherwise they'd have nothing in the ground and no food.

Although Katherine entered the kitchen, Catriona's focus remained focused on the Almanac. "Morning," Catriona uttered.

"And a good morning to you too. Did you sleep well?"

Catriona inwardly cringed. Katherine was clearly doing everything she could to make the best of a bad situation. Catriona knew she was being plain rude. She looked up to see Katherine with her hair uncovered and a smile on her face. Without the veil and wimple Katherine's curly hair perfectly complemented her green eyes. Instead of looking stern and reserved, she radiated a presence which all but consumed Catriona.

Katherine's eyes twinkled. "What do you think?"

"Where's that thing you normally wear on your head?" Catriona asked in mock seriousness.

A wry smile lit Katherine's features. "That
thing
, as you so politely call it, has not been worn since Father Cleary's visit."

Catriona's face fell. You insensitive fool, she said to herself. How could you miss such a change? "I didn't realise. Between Alexander and running the farm, we've barely had time to see each other during the day, let alone talk." Catriona lowered her head and dragged her fingers through her hair.

"I understand. These past few weeks have been busy, and we've only had a few quick moments to talk. There's hardly been any time for any social interaction between us."

Catriona raised her pained face to Katherine's, wondering why she was so forgiving.

"And, as for the hat," Katherine said, her tone light. "You were right, as you so often are. Father Cleary agreed with you about my head wear. In fact, during his visit here one of the first things he said to me was," Katherine tried her best to impersonate the walk and mannerisms of the father. "'Sensible things cotton habits, and get rid of your infernal veil and wimple.'"

Catriona couldn't help but laugh, something she hadn't managed since Alexander's return. "You do a very passable impersonation of the good father."

"Of course I do," Katherine winked.

Catriona wondered if Katherine had any idea at all what happened to Catriona when Katherine looked at her like that. If she didn't, then why had she acted the way she had lately? Since the incident on the night of Alexander's return, Catriona had kept her distance.

On the other hand, Katherine acted like she'd taken no great issue with the matter. In the fleeting moments they'd managed together over the past three weeks, Katherine seemed intent on getting closer to her. The physical closeness they shared was no different than before that night. Yet Katherine's actions bespoke of an awareness her presence had on Catriona. And by the current look on her face, Katherine was enjoying the response it evoked.

Responding to Katherine's imitation of the padre, Catriona stood and performed a mock curtsy. "Father Cleary, I wasn't aware of your presence today. Please be seated and I'll fix us both some refreshments."

Laughing, they each dropped into a chair. Catriona felt a load temporarily lift from her shoulders, allowing her to relax more so than she'd managed to do in a number of days. "I'll be honest with you. I was almost completely sure he'd usher you out of the veil wimple and into the hat." Catriona smugly smiled. "After all, he's done that with all the previous sisters."

Katherine's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "You rude woman! You knew he'd do that? Yet you let me wander around in the blistering heat in my veil and wimple. I could have died. Then what would you have done?" she asked in a mock scolding tone.

Catriona responded with laughter in her eyes. "I'm sorry, you're right." She held up her hands. "In my defence I'd like to add I tried to buy you a hat and you would have nothing of it. That
same
hat has, on numerous occasions, been left behind when you've left the house. I could've forced you to wear it, and would have done so, if your life was at risk. But there's one thing you must remember about the way things work out here. No one can make you do anything. The decision must be yours. You must be the one to take the first step."

Katherine intently looked at Catriona, as if carefully measuring the intent behind her words. "I think I let my stubborn pride get in the way, again."

Catriona clasped her hands behind her head and leant back in her chair. "I'm going to leave
that
comment alone."

Katherine swatted her. "I also understand the decisions I make have to be my own. All I can say is life is a continued learning experience, and I've learnt from this one. Maybe I'll be more willing to listen in the future." Katherine rose, grabbed her hat from the table and put it on. She twirled around in front of Catriona. "Perfect fit, don't you think?"

The hat suits you, Catriona mused, thinking that Katherine almost looked like another lady about town, and not a nun. She wondered how she would have conducted herself with Katherine had that been the case. "Yes, perfect," she softly said and caught herself. "I mean, I can't wait to hear about the response you get when you next visit the ladies' committee. Your new attire should be worth quite a bit of mileage I should think." She rose. "Enough of frivolity, there's breakfast to make and work to be done."

With Katherine's assistance, the tasks were completed in no time. Catriona was grateful for Katherine's help, realising it couldn't have been easy given Katherine's own work commitments. Despite such obligations, over the past three weeks Catriona always managed to come home to find a meal prepared for her and Alexander and the bathtub in position by the fire. She couldn't imagine how she would have coped without Katherine's presence.

HAVING TIDIED THE kitchen, after breakfast Katherine returned to her room to collect the notes she required for her day's work, while Catriona prepared the wagon. By the early morning they were on their way. Wanting to maintain the air of closeness they'd re-established, Katherine searched for a topic which wouldn't quash Catriona's good mood.

She tightened the ribbon holding her hat in place. "What crops are you looking to plant in the coming season?"

"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. Alexander normally deals with this area of the farm. Obviously at the moment he's in no fit state to do so. I'm lucky the town has a farmer's cooperative."

Katherine frowned. "I remember you mentioning that. What is it again?"

"It's a group of men, most of them farmers, who share advice on what crops to grow and how to achieve the best yield. It's something which started only two years ago and membership continues to grow. Hopefully they can point me in the right direction. I'm going to try at least one paddock of barley. It's a crop Alexander suggested."

"Did he mention any others?"

"No, he didn't. I tried to ask him about it but he got angry." Catriona's grip on the reins tightened. "I never knew drinking affected him like that."

It was most likely his way of mourning, Katherine thought, despite the pain it was obviously causing his sister.

"What business do you have in town today?" Catriona asked, in a transparent attempt to change the subject. "Not another death by boredom with the ladies' committee, I hope?"

"No, nothing of the sort. Father Cleary and I have matters which need to be discussed."

"I've no doubt the situation at the Pelham household will figure prominently in your discussions."

Katherine looked at Catriona's rigid figure. She reached out and lightly stroked her leg. "It's not like that at all," she quietly replied.

Catriona slumped. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt Alexander or me. My words were spiteful and inconsiderate."

"I'd be lying if I said the situation between you and Alexander won't be discussed by us. You must realise this isn't for the sake of idle gossip. Both he and I care for you both. We'd do anything to see the current situation resolved. Your apology is accepted as long as you remember if you want to discuss anything, there's no need for you to travel all the way into town to speak with Susan." Katherine was surprised at her last comment. For reasons she couldn't fathom she was becoming annoyed at how Catriona continually confided in Susan. After all, she was a nun and would not repeat private conversations the two of them might share.

Catriona glanced over at her, a quizzical look on her face. She opened her mouth to reply and quickly closed it, electing to merely nod.

Katherine tried again to strike up a conversation, "I couldn't help but notice the number of lovely watercolour landscapes around your home. Their similarity leads me to conclude the same artist created them. Are they painted by a local?"

Catriona eased her grip on the reins. "I'm glad you like them. They
are
locally done." She smiled crookedly. "I've a bit of influence with the artist. I may be able to have one painted for you."

"I'm afraid you'll have to tell him it may be a while until I can pay him for the works. My funds are rather scarce." Katherine was excited at the prospect of a purchase, yet frustrated she couldn't afford to pay for one outright.

"I'm sure a mutually beneficial arrangement can be worked out between you and the artist. Say, paint in return for favours perhaps?"

Katherine was shocked. "Favours, what--what do you mean?"

Catriona grinned as she looked at Katherine. "There's no need to worry. I think you've already treated the artist
more
than favourably. The works are my own. I used to paint when I was younger."

"I've never known an artist. Papa always regarded artists as frivolous and bohemian. Definitely not the sort of people he would socially mix with. Your works are quite good. You
are
a mystery, Catriona. Are you a natural or, as they say, did someone teach you?"

Catriona blinked twice as if doing a double take. "I didn't even know I had an artistic bone in my body. I didn't realise my ability until my mother employed my last governess, Adele Cooper, to teach me the finer arts of being a lady. She helped me to discover I had a talent for painting, among other things."

"You haven't said much about her. Was she as awful as your first governess?"

"Oh, no, we got on very well. She was much closer to my age than my first governess. Most of the time we were more like friends than teacher and student."

"She must have been a great comfort for you. You were lucky. All my governesses resembled religious relics. Is your last governess still in the district? I'd love to visit her and discover how she managed to coax such a prodigious talent out of someone as pragmatic as you."

Catriona's pained look was not lost on Katherine.

"I'm afraid she's not. Adele left the district after my mother and she had a disagreement on the curriculum she was teaching me. My mother felt her methods were," Catriona paused as if choosing her words, "somewhat unorthodox."

Sensing Catriona's discomfort, Katherine relented. From her reaction, it seemed Catriona must have missed her governess after she left. Rather than continue the conversation, and given their close proximity to town, Katherine spent the rest of the journey in pensive silence.

CATRIONA DROPPED KATHERINE at the steps of the accommodation motel.