Cherishing Caitlin by Carroll-Bradd Linda

Author:Carroll-Bradd, Linda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inked Figments
Published: 2022-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Following the flurry of greetings and hanging their outerwear on the coatrack in the foyer, Caitlyn walked across the thick Turkish carpet in the parlor and settled onto the sofa. Muted blue damask covered the cushions and tufted back rest. Polished wood made up the curved ridge of the back and accented the front of the armrests.

Uncle Hurley and Aunt Shauna sat in a pair of matching armchairs with Queen Anne legs. A mini floral pattern in the upholstery fabric provided interest in this room of mostly solid colors.

Keary paced in front of the fireplace aglow with flames that licked along a stack of thick logs.

Everything about his behavior hinted his trip had not gone like he hoped. But she knew her brother well enough to let him reveal what he chose to and when. She gazed at the fan in her lap and spread the ribs until she could see Mateo’s first signature and run a fingertip over it. Where was he now? She’d never given a thought to where other guests might stay on the fort.

Mary entered the room, pushing the tea cart to avoid the fast-moving man and stopping next to her mistress’s chair. Faint tinkling of cups against saucers accompanied her steps. She leaned over. “Shall I remain to pour?”

Aunt Shauna shook her head. “No, I’ll do it. You can go up to your quarters now.”

Mary curtsied and walked toward the sofa. “Will ye be needin’ help getting out of yer gown, Miss Caitlyn?”

Caitlyn hadn’t thought of how her wish to visit with her brother might impact on Mary’s freedom to retire for the night. This gown was the first really special dress she’d ever owned. “I can ask my aunt for help, Mary. Thank you for asking.”

Nodding, she exited the room.

“Goodness, Keary.” Aunt Shauna blew out a breath. “With all that energy, you would have been a popular partner at the dance this evening.

He raked a hand through his longish brown hair. “Nah, my mood’s too dark to have been good company for anyone.”

“Your sister was quite the belle.” Uncle Hurley chuckled. “Every time I looked up, I saw her circling the floor on the arm of a different partner.”

Keary stopped and propped hands on his hips. His blue eyes shot wide. “A belle, really? Is that true, Caitie?”

Hadn’t she outgrown her childhood nickname? “Not hard when the men outnumber the women three to one.” She closed the fan and wrapped her fingers around it. “I was a bit rusty for the first one…a polka. You know how back home the dancing only happens a couple times a year.”

“Sorry that I didn’t even compliment your dress. It’s real pretty.” He sat on the sofa and draped his left arm over the cushion back. “I would have enjoyed watching you. I might have even squired you around the floor.”

She used her fingertips to suppress a giggle. “We haven’t danced together since we were kids and I was small enough to stand on your bootops.”

“Taught you to dance, didn’t I?”

“That, and watching Mam and Da.

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