Heritage of Lancaster County 03 The Reckoning by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

forever adored by the People. Forever missed by his Katie girl, the woman who'd mourned his passing far longer than need be. Longer, because she believed the two of them had really and truly belonged together, had found utter joy in discovering each other's heart.
    Now there was someone else. Someone who was alive. Two social events in two days. Ach, Rebecca Lapp would say such a fella had courtship on his mind. Snuggling against the backseat, Katherine grinned, hugging herself.
    "Looks like you may have some company," Theodore said, his voice startling her out of her reverie. He nodded his head at a taxicab parked in front of the main entrance.
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    Katherine could see just the back of a tall blond man wearing a dark overcoat as he stood at the doorway. She also noticed Fulton, his arms crossed at his chest as if annoyed. "I wonder if it's the same fellow who was here earlier looking for that horrible woman, that actress who--"
    "Allow me to spare you a run-in with such a man," Theodore said, pulling the limousine around the side of the house. He turned, looking over his shoulder, his eyes kindly searching hers. "You won't mind going in through the east doorway, will you?"
    Nodding, she gave her consent. "It's not like I haven't used this entrance before." She remembered the unnerving time when she'd slipped into the mansion, sight unseen, hoping to find her birth mother still alive.
    "Very well, miss.., uh, excuse me, Katherine. I'll let you out here." He parked the limo and got out, hurrying around the car to open her door for her. The snow was piling up quickly and because of it, the chauffeur accompanied her, his hand supporting her elbow, right up to the entrance.
    "Thank you, Theodore. You're so very kind." She offered him a warm smile and quickly entered the house, stomping the snow off her feet before heading into the main hallway, still wearing her coat and hat.
    Approaching the grand staircase, she heard voices--the measured, low tones of men arguing but doing it politely. Curious, she peered down the long hallway and saw Fulton standing like a sentry in the doorway, a human barrier. If she wasn't mistaken, he was doing most of the talking, quizzing the stranger with many questions.
    She stopped to listen. Studying what she could see of the caller and making note of his overcoat, she was fairly certain it was the same man she had seen earlier that morning. Inching closer, she focused on his thick hair--just visible over Fulton's head. It was striking, like a thousand dandelions in summer. Something about its golden color reminded her of
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    someone back in Pennsylvania. A schoolmate? One of her cousins? She couldn't be sure, probably because she had so many relatives, distant and otherwise.
    Beyond the two men, the snow was falling fast and heavy. Like someone had cut open a feather pillow and was shaking it hard, creating an intermittent curtain of white.
    She heard her name and a sharp response from her butler. "I cannot allow you to see the mistress if you refuse to state who you are or the nature of your visit," came the curt reply.
    By now Katherine had crept close enough to make out the stranger's words. "Miss Mayfield is a dear friend of mine."
    "I'd be surprised at that," Fulton shot back. "You said the same thing about Katie Lapp earlier today."
    "But... I plead with you, let me speak with Katherine. Let her decide for herself."
    Katherine fell against the wall, stunned by an impossible thought. The soft-spoken voice seemed as familiar to her as her own. Yet it could not be.
    Fulton began to push the door closed. "I'm sorry, sir. Once again, I'll have to ask you to leave."
    "Wait!" Katherine called, taking a step forward. "Please . . won't you let the man in, just for a moment?"
    Fulton's eyebrows arched in a pinnacle of astonishment. "Miss? Are you quite certain of this?"
    "He says he knows me... and it's all right," she assured him, barely breathing. "I'll meet with the gentleman in the parlor."
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