A Hero for Christmas by Jo Ann Brown

Author:Jo Ann Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2013-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

When Jonathan arrived at Meriweather Hall shortly after the evening meal, Cat wondered where he had spent the day. Vera had told her that he had asked to speak with her brother. Cat had been glad to hear that.

But, as soon as she saw Jonathan’s tense expression, she was certain that he had not found the answer he needed. She pushed back from the desk, away from the accounts he had straightened out for her and hurried out into the hall.

“Jonathan?” she called.

He paused but did not turn. His rigid shoulders told her that he had no interest in talking.

“Mrs. Porter said she would keep a plate warm for you.” Cat squashed her curiosity about where he had been. The answer was right in front of her, because the polish on his boots had been scoured away by sand. He must have been walking along the shore. “I can have your supper sent to the dining room or your chamber, whichever you prefer.”

“Thank you.” He started to walk away.

She followed. “Where do you want to eat?”

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever is simpler for your household.”

His voice was gloomier than she had ever heard it, and his steps were as heavy as if he dragged a herd of elephants in his wake.

“Is there anything else I can do?” she asked, her face getting hot as she realized how her question sounded.

“No.”

Knowing she should let the matter go, she could not keep herself from saying, “You have changed.”

“Haven’t you noticed that war changes a man?” He turned. His eyes were hollow with torment.

She longed to take his hands and draw him into the closest room where he could divulge what was making him heartsick. “Jonathan, I am worried about you. So please don’t try to betwattle me with such a question. I didn’t know you before the war.”

“True, but—”

“You have changed since you were here last time.”

“I didn’t realize I was acting differently.”

Pain shot through her heart. “Jonathan, please don’t be false with me. I could not bear it.”

“I am sorry, but...” He did not finish the apology as he walked away.

She watched him leave. She wanted to give chase and demand that he be honest with her. She stayed right where she was. How could she help him if he refused to tell her the truth of what caused him such pain?

Maybe he did not want her help.

The thought drew her up short. He had told her that there was nothing else she could do. Just tonight with supper or did he mean forever?

Her heart threatened to crack in two, and she could not ignore how deeply he had found a place in it.

* * *

Cat paced from one side of the small parlor to the other, as she told Sophia about the conversation with Jonathan. Candles flickered with her passage, making her shadow dance on the wall.

“Do you think his distress has to do with Charles or the children?” Sophia asked as she sat beside the window.

“Of course not.

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