Harlot at the Homestead by Molly Ann Wishlade Page A

as if playing a game of hide and seek with the land. Kenan turned to the woman trembling at his side.
    “Well, Mrs Montgomery, I think we’d best get you over to the crowd though I ask that you do nothing to ruin the joy of the bride and groom. I’ll see if I can round up a few of the men then we’ll go look for William.”
    “Thank you Mr Duggan.”
    He walked quickly, keen to maintain a pace that left her trailing in his wake. He didn’t want her at his side when he saw Catherine. He had to warn her first. Edie Montgomery hadn’t even known that Catherine had returned and he realized that Catherine had wanted it that way. She clearly needed some time to think before she met up with her aunt and uncle again and no wonder. After what they’d put her through, he wouldn’t blame Catherine if she never wanted to see them ever again.
    Blind fury surged, then roared in his veins. He couldn’t deny that he now had the perfect opportunity to get revenge. William Montgomery was losing his mind according to his wife. He was gone in the head and he’d wandered off into the night. Anything could happen to him out there. Anything! And nobody would have to know about it. His blood flowed like fire through his body and his heart thrummed with the call for vengeance. They had taken Catherine away from him, leaving him broken with grief, whilst she’d been thrust into the arms of a man who sought to hurt her and had branded her like a cow with a white-hot knife.
    Kenan realized that tonight had brought him an opportunity for retribution. It was not only William Montgomery who’d changed. Kenan had changed, too, and he was no longer the man he’d once been. In fact, he doubted that he even got the flashes of his old self in the same way as Catherine’s uncle did. Kenan’s innocence was gone and he didn’t know if anything would ever bring it back.

Chapter Nine
    Catherine finished twirling then let down her skirts. Laughing and breathing heavily, she leaned on Rosie’s shoulder.
    “That was fun!”
    “Just like old times.” Rosie giggled. “You sure can dance.”
    “Why thank you, kind lady.” Catherine dropped into a mock curtsey, bowing her head low as she did so. When she raised her eyes, still smiling, to meet Rosie’s gaze, her laughter died in her throat. “What is it, Rosie?”
    Kenan’s twin sister stared off into the distance, beyond the circle of celebration and into the darkness.
    “Catherine,” Rosie whispered. “Is that your aunt with Kenan?”
    “I…” Catherine’s mouth went dry. “I think it is.”
    “Why would she be here…at this time of night?”
    Catherine shrugged. She felt like a goose had walked over her grave and an icy hand seemed to grip her spine. She hadn’t seen her aunt since her return and if she was totally honest, she hadn’t wanted to. Not being reunited with Edie and William had been a way of trying to move on, to put what had happened behind her. Though the events immediately prior to her time in New York, as well as the two years she’d spent there, were never far from her mind, not being near the people who had instigated her departure made it seem less real. Her brief time with Kenan had made her feel better, almost like the Catherine she had been, but she knew that as soon as she looked into her aunt’s eyes, or heard her uncle’s voice, she would likely crumble.
    “Rosie, please help me,” she choked out. “I can’t see her.”
    Rosie turned to her. “Whadda you mean?”
    “I just…I’m not ready…” She raised a trembling hand to her brow and smoothed the beads of perspiration away.
    “Of course.” Rosie looked around them. “Don’t worry, Catherine. You don’t have to see her right now. Lord in Heaven, whatever did they do to you?” She took hold of Catherine’s arm then led her away from the celebrations and toward the house, only stopping to whisper into Matthew’s ear. Catherine watched as a frown passed over his face then he walked toward