- Chapter 31 -

Katherine lay in bed unable to sleep, overcome with melancholy. She tossed and turned, as did her mind, and could not find rest, nor reason for her restlessness.

She rose, stepped to the window to gaze on the grounds below blanketed in the clear night's silver glow. With a little huff of breath she then turned and exited her room, wandering the halls of Rosforte, the library, the conservatory, standing again on the steps overlooking the yard and breathing deep the crisp night air.

She returned to her room, sat on the edge of her bed, began to cry. Dropping onto her knees beside her bed she crossed her arms on her sheets and stuffed her head between them, bawling like a child. "I feel alone!" she wailed into the plush bedding as quietly as her passionate sorrow would allow, "I feel I have been left behind and forgotten by life and time and I feel I am being overly dramatic but I cannot help it for I am miserable! I was given everything and then all was taken from me! My child, my husband, my family. Perhaps my family has not been taken from me but it feels as though they have, moving on with their lives, getting married, having children, travelling the world...while I linger at Rosforte getting no younger and going nowhere!" She spoke both to herself and to the heavens, venting her thoughts and woes and crying until she laughed at how she must look. She fell asleep as she was, head resting on crossed arms on the edge of her bed.

She felt fresher and a little lighter the next day, though her knees felt uncomfortably cramped. Looking through her selection of black gowns she paused. Perhaps she considered It is time to start anew, the time for mourning has passed and I cannot allow myself to be pitiful and lonely forever.

She fingered the light cotton of a soft peach gown. Besides, I am not alone expressly because I have no husband or child, I have many friends and thanks to Lady Compton I am well able to pursue whatever I may wish.

She pulled out a pale blue with collar and sleeves of lace. I do not even know what it is I wish to pursue; what Are my interests, my passions?

Returning the blue she decided on a vibrant yellow with tiny embroidered dots adding texture to the fabric. I suppose it is time they were discovered.

On her way downstairs Katherine saw her parents at the door donning hats. They noticed the lack of mourning black in her apparel and smiled each other then her.

"Ah, Kat," Her father spoke. "You are looking well. We are going to Landyn house to spend the day with Thomas, Celia, and Benny. Do you wish to join us?"

"Yes, I will tell the coachman to wait for you." Mrs Wheaton added.

"It is alright mama, no need. I have invaded their home far too often in the last few months. Give them my love for me."

"Of course. We will not be back until later tonight I expect." Mr Wheaton said as they started out the door.

"Alright papa," Katherine waved a little farewell as she spoke. "safe travels, see you tonight."

She spent her morning drawing in the conservatory, then practicing on the pianoforte, then picked some books from the library and took herself out to the gardens to read them in the sun. She found Lady Compton already there reading letters in the shade.

"Good morning Aunt."

"Good morning Katherine. I sent a letter to Mr William Wilberforce about a month ago and have received a reply, do you wish me to read aloud?"

"I have brought reading material, thank you." Katherine smiled. Lady Compton smiled in reply and focused once again on her letter with concentration the likes of which could rival that of Nelson's, pacing the deck of the Victory before battle.

With warm summer breezes cooling their skin and gently lifting small strands of their hair, the two enjoyed the remainder of the morning outdoors. When they were done with their reading they conversed over tea and biscuits, and then – as cheerful fluffy clouds shaded them from the sun – determined it was a lovely day to be walking.

"You know, I've been thinking," Katherine started, "I should like to manage some farmland of my own I think.."

She needed say no more, Lady Compton was enthusiastic. "Why Kat! How entrepreneurial of you. We shall have to find you some land direct. Do you have an idea of what you would like to produce."

"Well," Katherine grinned, "I am inclined to produce grain and wheat as that is what I know best, it is what we raised most, growing up; but I would also very much like to try meat, and dairy, and perhaps fruits and veggies. I'd like to manage a proper farm or two, or three."

"Why stop at three!?" Lady Compton laughed "This is a wonderful undertaking Katherine; if you are serious about this endeavor I fully support you, as surely you know."

"I am serious. I just don't know if I have the funds to buy a great amount of land, or where to begin."

"Oh you have the funds my dear. I wonder, perhaps you may close on some land across the river? I assume you don't wish to stray far from Compton."

"No! You are right in that, I could not leave Compton."

They were now walking across the grassy lawn in the front yard and they noticed someone approaching up the drive. As he drew closer they saw it was Brandon Routley, carrying something close to his chest.

"Oh!" exclaimed Katherine, "A kitten!" and she trotted to meet him with arms outstretched in eagerness to hold the small creature. It was a tiny little thing, brown spikey fur with speckles of gray, mewling in indignation at being carted about in unfamiliar territory against it's will. "Oh baby little one!" Kat simpered and fawned as she snuggled it close and nuzzled her face in its fur as Routley laughed, "You sweet thing. Mr Routley where did you find her??"

"It is a he, and one of my men found him and his siblings in the stables. The others are plain gray and brown but this lad is quite decked out and dandy as you can see, so I had to show him off."

"He is an odd beauty!" Lady Compton scratched his under-chin.

"Yes, he and his brothers will need to have their bits removed I imagine." Katherine commented, Routley's head jerked to her in astonishment, then he smiled to himself.

"Well, yes, I will have Aubrey do the deed when they are old enough to recover from it..."

Katherine knelt on the grass and let the kitten free to tumble and play. Lady Compton and Routley joined her on the grass, using a blades of grass as a toy for the pouncing kitten. "I think you should name this one." Routley suggested to Katherine.

"Oh no I couldn't! Then I would grow attached and would loath to part with him."

"Well, to speak true, my intention was to gift him to you, but if you do not wish.." He reached for the creature.

"Hush sir! There is no gift I would like better." she laughed, keeping him away. "But what of the others? The poor little things can't be left without a home!"

"There are many unused farmhouses and barns on Norcastle lands, they will find a shelter once they grow too old for their mother, fear not."

"Unused farmhouses? Do you have very many farms serving Norcastle."

"Oh quite a few, ten or twenty, but most have been left to fallow for many years."

"But why?" Katherine frowned, "You should put them to good use!"

"I have no knowledge of agriculture, I know not what to do with them."

"Would you sell them?" Lady Compton asked eagerly, and Katherine echoed the question more so.

"I..I think...most likely not, I would like to keep them under my name. I am considering hiring someone to help me manage them."

"Well that is unfortunate." the Baroness sighed, "Katherine was just expressing the wish to manage some land and farms."

"You are??" He asked Katherine. The Baroness commented she was going to procure some milk, rose, and left.

"I am.." Kat replied, and seeing him about to speak added "but I would not take your land from you now you've said you wish to keep it. I shan't buy it from you, do not offer."

"Very well," Brandon Routley fondled the kitten's ears contemplatively. "I'm sure we can come to some arrangement." He smiled at her.

Katherine Gray smiled back.

A warm summer breeze swirled contentedly over Rosfort castle's front yard and around the two figures sitting thereon. The breeze tickled the kitten's tail. The kitten somersaulted in an attempt to catch it. The breeze, unconcerned, carried on.

- END -

If you enjoyed reading this story be sure to check out my newest completed story "Twins of Tenby Hall" which I consider the better work and I'm sure you'll enjoy even more than this one! ;P.

As always, have a great day and happy reading!