The Weaver's Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd

Author:Sarah E. Ladd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2018-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Kate sighed at the large home looming before her, with its gabled, latticed windows.

Stockton House.

Even after weeks, the scent of smoke still seemed to linger as real and thick as the mystery surrounding Mr. Stockton’s death.

Perhaps it was her imagination. Perhaps not.

Kate adjusted the heavy blanket in her arms. As much as she tried to air it out, the fabric still smelled of smoke. She had forgotten to return it to him before she left Stockton House all those days ago. She couldn’t keep it—it didn’t belong to her. Plus, she could not risk someone finding it at the cottage, for she did not want to have to explain how it came to be in their home.

A small gate in the low stone wall separated Dearborne property from Stockton property. It would be less likely that someone would notice her using this entrance. When she had been here the night of the fire, it had been too dark for her to take much notice of the grounds, but she had always imagined that Stockton House was pristine and lovely, like a grand castle or elegant estate. Now in the daylight, the property actually seemed a bit dilapidated. The overgrown shrubs scratched at her ankles as she walked along the path, and the lengthy grasses bent low and brown in the snow.

She gathered her skirt and stepped over a fallen log and headed toward the kitchen entrance she had entered last time.

She expected that Mrs. Figgs would be the one to answer her knock, and sure enough, the wiry woman appeared within seconds. She did not smile, did not speak, but crossed her arms over her chest and waited for Kate’s explanation.

“I am only here to return this.” She extended the blanket. Feeling as if she was trespassing, Kate took a step backward. As she turned to leave, someone caught her eye.

A woman, clad in a cloak of dark gray, strolled through the dormant kitchen garden. As she approached, a glimmer of recognition sparked.

Kate frowned and squinted. Could that be Mollie Stockton?

Regret coursed through her. The last thing she wanted was to be discovered on Stockton property yet again, by Mr. Stockton’s sister, no less. Kate shouldn’t have come.

She bobbed a farewell to Mrs. Figgs, hoping to leave by the time Miss Stockton noticed her, but it was to no avail. From the corner of her eye, Kate noticed the brightening of Mollie’s face, and she waved to her from across the garden.

Kate exchanged a glance with Mrs. Figgs. Apparently the older woman was as taken aback at the acknowledgment as Kate was. She turned back to Miss Stockton and surprise smacked. Miss Mollie Stockton’s middle swelled in an unmistakable manner.

She was heavy with child.

“Miss Dearborne!” Miss Stockton’s voice was light with mirth. “It has been years since I last saw you!”

Kate doubted it had been years, but the fact that the other woman addressed her with such familiarity was far more shocking than the exaggeration of time. For they were not friends.

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