HELD CAPTIVE BY A ROGUE

Chapter Twelve

Kathryn stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was almost ready now to leave for her father's funeral when she thought of the fact that she hadn't had to wear black since her mother died several years ago. When she had tried her mourning dress on yesterday it had been much too tight but fortunately, Amanda was able to let out the side seams giving her ample room for her now enlarged condition. Placing the black veil on her head, she adjusted the cap to fit snugly over the massive red braid which she had piled up in a ring atop her head and pulled the veil down over her face. She could still hear the last few raindrops hitting her windowpane for the rainstorm that had started late last night was now beginning to subside. The sun was beginning to show through the dark clouds that were moving swiftly southward and would probably be gone by the time they would reach the church where the funeral services were to be held later this afternoon.

Christopher rapped lightly on her door before entering and viewed his wife for the first time dressed in all black. How beautiful she looked in that color, not many women looked good in black but with Kathryn, it offset her coloring perfectly. "Are you about ready to go, sweetheart?" He asked tenderly, not sure of what to say to her. He had never been in this position before, having to comfort a grieving woman and he felt at such a loss of how to help her during this distressful time. He walked over and stood behind her placing his hands on her shoulders. He could see her image in the mirror staring back at him from underneath the black veil as their eyes locked together for a few moments in silence. "We'd better be leaving now, Kathryn," Christopher murmured softly in her ear.

"Yes, you're quite right, we mustn't be late," she replied sadly and allowed him to escort her downstairs to the waiting coach.

The heavy rain had completely stopped now, leaving only a fine drizzle still coming down as they disembarked at the church where scores of ladies and gentlemen, all dressed in black were scampering from their carriages in an effort to make it inside the church without getting too wet.

Kathryn and Christopher slowly made their way down the middle aisle to the first row of pews that were left open for the immediate family. There Cassandra sat with her head lowered when she had seen them coming, playing the part of the grieving widow perfectly. Christopher, seeing her sitting there decided to sit in the first pew on the other side of the aisle and guided Kathryn to their seats.

"Oh Christopher," Cassandra wailed, irritated that he chose to sit away from her. Standing up, she quickly moved to the pew across the aisle and plopped down next to him, placing his arm around her shoulders as she leaned up against his warm, muscular chest. Dabbing her tearless eyes with a handkerchief she gazed up at him in mock grief.

Christopher could see the horrified expression on Kathryn's face as she stared at him embracing her step-mother. Quickly he removed his arm from around Cassandra's shoulder and cursed under his breath. "You seem to be burying yet another husband, Cassandra," he said cynically. "How many does this make now?"

"Christopher darling, how could you say such a mean thing to me, especially at a time like this," she said, sticking her lower lip out in a pout.

Christopher seeing how distressed Kathryn was at his conversation with her step-mother, decided to ignore Cassandra and sit quietly for the duration of the services.

An hour later Kathryn made her final farewells to her dearly departed father and left the church on the arm of her husband. As they were climbing into their coach, Cassandra clutched Christopher's arm desperately. "Please Christopher, I don't want to be left alone right now," she said imploringly. "May I stay with you and my dearest step-daughter for a little while? At least until I can come to grips with my husband's death."