Page 70 of An Offer for a Spinster
“I’m L. Sterling, William.”
There was a long pause.
“The… the novelist?” William stammered. “Are you serious?”
“I’m deadly serious, Will. You know I always wanted to write. I never thought I could write, but I can. I wrote my first novels, and they did so well, then I wrote more and more, and now I’m… now I’m L. Sterling.”
William let out a long, slow breath. “Well. I’d say that I was surprised, but frankly, I don’t think I am. I could always see you as a writer. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you telling me now?”
“Because I’m tired of hiding. Tired of pretending that I’m something I’m not. And I want you to know that while I’m not rich, I can take care of myself. I don’t take a penny of my father’s money.”
William leaned forward, patting Timothy’s hand where it rested on the table.
“I know. You’re a good man, Tim. Everybody knows that.”
Timothy closed his eyes. “I’m trying to tell you that I’m in love with Katherine.”
There was a pregnant pause.
“Y…you?” William managed. “You’re in love with Katherine? Is this a favour, to get her away from Lord Barwood? Because if so…”
“No,” Timothy said firmly. “No, it’s not that. I couldn’t tell you when I started falling in love with Katherine, but I know that it has happened. I can’t think of anyone but her. I’m not asking your permission to court her, William. I’m not asking your permission to marry her. I know Katherine, and I know you, and I know that there’s only one person who I need to speak to about this. I just… I just wanted to tell you, because you’re my friend. That, and I’m tired of hiding. Tired of pretending. I feel like a coward, and I’m going to put all of that behind me.”
He drew in a deep breath after this speech. It felt like a real weight off his shoulders. Who would have known that it was such arelief?
William blinked, eyes wide.
“Well, that is… that is unexpected. You want to talk to Katherine right now?”
“If you don’t mind, yes.”
William shook his head slowly. “Well, as you said, you don’t need my permission. I don’t think I’ll give it – Katherine’s already annoyed enough at me giving my permission to Lord Barwood, so I think it’s best if you handle this yourself. Butat the moment, she’s not here – she’s gone to see her friend, Elizabeth.”
On cue, the sound of carriage wheels on gravel sounded up the drive. Both men rose slowly to their feet, moving across to the window.
Timothy watched the carriage roll to a halt in front of the house, and saw Katherine delicately pick her way down. She didn’t immediately go inside. Instead, she drew in a few deep breaths, tilting back her head, letting the sun play over her face. She reached up, taking off her bonnet, letting it dangle by her side.
Timothy was transfixed.
At last, Katherine opened her eyes, glancing at the house. She looked exhausted.
Seeming to decide something, she let her bonnet flutter to the ground, turned on her heel, and walked away into the gardens, never once looking back.
Timothy glanced over at William, raising his eyebrows.
“Go,” William said at once. “Go on, Timothy. Go and see her. I’ll… I’ll wait in here. You can come in and have tea afterwards, if you like. Or… or don’t.”
“Thank you.” Timothy turned to go, but paused when William called his name.
“Congratulations on the novels,” William said, blushing. “They’re excellent.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Katherine collapsed on the first stone bench she found, letting the air gust out of her lungs in one long sigh.
So this is it, then,she thought miserably.My life begins and ends here. I marry a man who doesn’t care about me, all because of my selfish father’s will. And now there’s no way out of it.
Wonderful.
