To Catch a Wolf (26 page)

keep her busy all winter.”

"And you?”

He glanced back at her from the tent door. "I will see that you have everything you

require. Good-bye, Miss Hughes.”

Caitlin closed her eyes and listened to him stride away. Well, now it was in the open.

Her feelings had proven correct once again—about Morgan, and Athena, and Niall

Munroe.

The only opinion she had not yet heard was Athena's. And that wouldn't be easy, if Niall

resolved to keep his sister in Denver.

If there was one thing Caitlin loved dearly, it was a challenge. Niall was the biggest

challenge she had ever faced. Doubtless he was rich because he was ruthless, and

seldom failed to get his way. He was the kind of man who wouldn't hesitate to crush a

rival.

But he was only human. He had weaknesses. And Caitlin Hughes, once her mind was

made up, could be a very formidable opponent.

I give you fair warning, my stubborn friend. This is a game I intend to win.

The next five weeks were the longest of Athena's life. It should have been a busy time,

far too busy to allow for loneliness or daydreaming. The Winter Ball was drawing closer,

and she was bound and determined that this second annual ball would be the finest and

most well-attended of any in Denver that year.

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 200 of 410

Athena had frequently seen Cecily Hockensmith, but a good deal less of her own

brother. Niall was constantly off on some business or other; currently he was in Chicago

and had telegraphed to say that he expected to remain there through the end of the

month. Caitlin's prediction that he would relent and allow Athena to visit the ranch did

not come true.

Nevertheless, she took advantage of his absence by throwing herself with even more

energy into the work he had disapproved: visiting the slums and tenements with clothing

and coal, personally speaking to the forgotten girls with their fatherless babes,

purchasing beds and school supplies for the orphans, and devising new charitable

schemes that would reach far into the future. She drove the other ladies of her several

philanthropic organizations almost as ruthlessly as she did herself.

It was never quite enough. Any stray, quiet moment, and her thoughts fled across the

Front Range and to the ranch where she had spent every summer as a girl. Before she

fell asleep each night, the image of a certain face seemed to shimmer in the air above

her: thick black hair, golden eyes that sang to her of wild dashes by moonlight, a

sensuous mouth promising more forbidden kisses.

At such times, she felt strange, phantom sensations below her waist, just as she had

when Morgan visited her room. But she always managed to banish such fantasies, and

remind herself that she missed all of the troupers: Harry, Caitlin, Ulysses, even those

men and women she hardly knew. Morgan had no solitary claim on her affection.

Yet Morgan had smiled at her. That dreadful day of the performance, when everything

had fallen apart, he had granted her courage with that simple expression and the

unexpected warmth of his gaze.

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 201 of 410

Now he was thirty miles to the west, behind a wall of hills and mountains. Those

mountains were already coated with snow, and soon the pass to Long Park would be all

but impenetrable for the winter.

Ensconced in her sitting room late on a late November evening, wrapped in a woolen

shawl against a chill that even the bountiful fire could not dispel, Athena eagerly

unfolded the letter she had saved to read at the end of the day. It, like the others that

came faithfully twice a week, was from Harry French.

Harry had made himself chief chronicler of all the events at Long Park, of Caitlin's

condition, and of the doings of the troupers. Each time Athena opened one of his

missives, she forced herself to read through slowly, refusing to jump ahead. She did the

same tonight.

My Dear Miss Athena, the letter began,

You will be delighted to know that because of your brother's munificence and your own

great kindness, we are all prospering at Long Park. As I wrote previously, the animals

are well settled in the barn, which your brother had prepared for us; the rooms in the

main house, and the accommodations in the bunkhouse, are indeed most praiseworthy.

We could not ask for better.

Our small performance for the ranch workers met with great approval by your men, who

at first seemed somewhat suspicious of us; they have since gone out of their ways to

make us feel welcome. The victuals are plentiful, the fires blazing, and the mood merry.

We lack only one thing—your own dear presence.

Caitlin asks after you constantly. She is very brave and does not admit any pain, but I

must be frank and confess that I fear for her; there are times when the look in her eye

does not bode well for her future. I wonder if she has not already given up hope of

resuming her former activities. They have always been so important to her.

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 202 of 410

Athena dropped the letter in her lap. This was not good news. Not good at all. Harry had

only hinted at a certain resignation in Caitlin's aspect, but until now had not said that the

equestrienne might be abandoning hope.

Heaven forbid that should happen. Caitlin could not, must not lose what Athena had

lost.

However, I beg you not to worry, dear Patroness. We will stand by her as we have

always done, and refuse to grant her surrender. Either I, Ulysses, or Morgan—

Morgan. Athena swallowed and paused to catch her breath before resuming.

—or Morgan are with her at every hour and keep her mind from such unproductive

musings. We follow the doctor's instructions precisely. We have taken advantage of

your kindness and read to her from books in your library, and Morgan brings her small

gifts from outdoors: withered leaves and evergreen boughs or colored stones from the

stream. Caitlin seems to enjoy them, and they lift her melancholy for a short while.

Gifts from Morgan. Athena smiled, recognizing in such simple gestures his reluctant

generosity. Morgan cared for Caitlin as he would for a sister. He guarded her from every

harm. How much more would he do for a woman he chose as his

Quiet, she commanded her heart. Be quiet.

Morgan spends a great deal of time roaming the park, even in the most inclement

weather. You know, of course, that such small inconveniences as bitter temperatures

have little effect upon him. He is careful to conceal his dual nature from the ranch

hands, but when he is not with Caitlin his restlessness is almost alarming. We have on

occasion feared that he might leave and not return. He has repaid any debt he ever

owed us, but we have continued to hope that he will choose to remain as one of our

family.

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 203 of 410

As if the piercing mountain winds had reached across the miles and into her home,

Athena pulled her shawl closer and rang the bell on the small table beside her. Brinkley

appeared, and at her request he sent for a chambermaid to add more coal to the fire in

the grate. Even after the flames leaped up with renewed vigor, Athena took no comfort

in them.

Harry would not speak of Morgan leaving unless he felt it was a very real possibility.

Surely Morgan would stay until Caitlin was on her feet again; surely he would inform

Athena of such an intention, if only to say good-bye.

It was too much to hope that he would write as Harry did. Too much to ask that he send

some personal message to her, when there was nothing tangible between them save

for a shared secret and a stolen kiss.

Athena scanned the rest of the letter, barely registering the words, and tucked the

folded paper inside her shawl. For a while she laid her head back against the chair and

let the emotions rush through her, tumbling like a spring-swollen creek that carried rock

and branch and earth inexorably before it.

When the deluge was over, only one consideration remained in her heart. Whatever

Morgan might do, however he chose to regard her, he was not her principal concern.

Caitlin was. Caitlin, on the brink of surrendering to the despair that had once nearly

claimed Athena's spirit.

If there was a single action Athena could take to prevent that from happening, she must

attempt it. Even if it meant breaking her word, defying Niall, and leaving last-minute

particulars of the Winter Ball undone for several days. No one else could understand

Caitlin's situation better than she. No one else could advise, coax, and bully with greater

authority.

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 204 of 410

Cecily Hockensmith had been unstinting with her company and assistance with the ball.

She could be entrusted with any details that must be addressed during Athena's

absence.

Once the idea coalesced in Athena's mind, the practical impediments presented

themselves in swift succession. As much as she liked and trusted Brinkley, Fran,

Romero, and the others, she did not wish to involve the servants in her insubordination;

she must make preparations and arrange transportation to Long Park without alerting

them beforehand. Fortunately, her dealings with the charities gave her ideas about

where she might discreetly employ a sturdy wagon and skilled driver.

However, she would require Fran's help with dressing and getting downstairs. Athena

had not been forbidden to leave the house, and Fran wouldn't question her if she

pretended to be going on another clandestine excursion to the tenements. If she lied to

Fran, the maid would have an excuse for unwittingly assisting in her escape.

Athena was forced to admit that she was a little bit afraid of where this open defiance

might lead. Niall had made his position very clear. But she had succeeded in winning

him over before, and could do so again.

Cecily might help her in that as well. With the deed a fait accompli and Cecily taking

Athena's part, Niall could not be entirely unreasonable.

This is for Caitlin. Niall's anger is a small price to pay for her recovery.

And Morgan Holt had absolutely nothing to do with it.

She consulted her watch and saw that it was not yet too late to send a message to

Cecily, asking her to come first thing in the morning. Just as she rang for Brinkley, he

stepped into the room poised to make an announcement.

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 205 of 410

"Miss Hockensmith has called, Miss Munroe," he said. "I told her I would inquire if you

were at home.”

"Yes. Yes indeed, please show her in directly.”

He bowed and went to do her bidding. Regretting the rather shabby nature of the old

shawl, Athena pushed it farther down her shoulders and assumed a welcoming smile.

Cecily glided into the room, brushing a bit of snow from her coat, and came to take

Athena's hand.

"Ah, Athena. What miserable weather! I fear that winter has come." She allowed

Brinkley to remove her coat. "I realize that it is late, but I so regretted not being able to

see you today. You know how very dull Mrs. Coghill's dinners are, but I could not refuse

her invitation.”

"Of course not," Athena said. "Will you not sit down? Some tea, perhaps?”

"I do not believe that I could swallow another drop," Cecily said, sinking gracefully into a

chair. "And how are you today, my dear girl? You have not worked too hard, I hope?”

Athena was in no mood for small talk when her mind was thrumming with plans. She

dismissed Brinkley and waited until he had shut the sitting room door behind him.

"Cecily

I have a great favor to ask of you.”

"Indeed?" Cecily leaned forward. "Pray, tell me.”

"I have decided to take a short excursion to the mountains. While I am gone, I would be

most honored if you would assume final preparations for the Winter Ball.”

To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04

Page 206 of 410

"An excursion?" A faint shadow marred Cecily's alabaster brow. "Why would you wish to

visit the mountains at such a—" Her expression cleared. "Athena, you cannot mean to

go to the ranch.”

"Yes. I have received correspondence from Harry French which suggests that Miss

Hughes is not recovering as swiftly as we might wish. I feel that I must offer my