HELD CAPTIVE BY A ROGUE

Chapter Ten

Relief flooded through Kathryn's veins when she finally reached the front entrance of Grey Manor and pulled old Ginger to a halt. Every muscle in her body ached from the long, tiresome journey from Dartmoor. But actually, it really wasn't from the journey itself as much as it was having to spend the night before sleeping on the cold, hard ground. What a terrifying experience that had been, she thought miserably. Every little sound had made her jump, causing Dodger to eye her wearily before laying his head back down and closing his eyes. Not to mention she had neglected to bring a blanket, like a fool, believing she could make it home in one night. Maybe she could have if she would've taken Starr, with her lightening quick speed and long endurance. But she wouldn't take anything of 'his'. Just the mere thought of him caused images of raven black hair to flash through her mind. She quickly suppressed them. It took all her will power to stop thinking about him. She must concentrate on the matter at hand. Like what was she going to tell the servants when she went inside? Fortunately, her father and his new wife would be in London so she wouldn't have to face them yet, she sighed with relief. He hadn't been out to Grey Manor in over two years. Suddenly it dawned on her, the servants wouldn't even know that she'd been missing, she thought realistically. They would think she was just now returning home from London. She looked down at Dodger, who was waiting patiently for her to decide what she going to do and then slowly dismounted the tired old horse's back. "We're home at last Dodger," she whispered and tied Ginger's reins to the hitching post until she could find John, the head groomsman, who would unsaddle her and give her some fresh oats to eat.

Opening the front door, she quietly walked in and stood in the main hall. It seemed like so long ago that she'd left here for London to meet her new step-mother but in all actuality, it had only been a few months. "So much has happened," she thought before hearing voices drifting in from the drawing room.

"Would you go and check, Robert." Cassandra whined, "I know I heard the front door open."

"Alright, alright. I'll go look, if it will make you happy my dear but I didn't hear anything." Squire Grey slurred, dragging himself up out of his chair and headed for the main hall.

"You wouldn't hear anything if it was right next to you, darling." His wife sneered at him, seeing a definite weave to his walk and knowing he was drunk again.

Kathryn froze and then looked around in a panic for a place to hide, instantly realizing her father and step-mother were here, at Grey Manor. What a time for him to pick to come home, she thought wildly. Suddenly, she came face to face with him, for he was peering at her through blood-shot eyes.

"Kathryn, is that really you?" He mumbled, trying to get a better look at her but how could it be his poor Kathryn, she was lost to him forever.

"Father, it is me. I'm home now." Kathryn tried to say cheerfully, for she hadn't seen him in this bad of condition since her mother had died so many years ago.

"Kathryn! You've come back to me!" Throwing his arms around her, he began to cry over her shoulder.

"What's all the ruckus about out here?" Cassandra demanded with an irritated tone, stomping out of the drawing room. "You!" She screeched when she saw Kathryn standing there. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"I can explain...."

"You've had everyone out searching for you for months! How dare you run off to god knows where, for three whole months?" Her eyes were blazing now with pure hatred as she glared at her step-daughter with open disdain. "I just hope we can undo the damage you've done with your insubordination, young lady!"

Kathryn glared right back at her with the same intensity. How dare she yell at her! What nerve! Who did she think she was, anyway? She had no right to speak to her in that manner.