Part Two - Prologue
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Catherine’s long dark hair moved with the breeze. Her face was flushed as if she had exerted herself. She stood in front of the tree they used to meet under. The tree where she had found the wooden box James had left for her, all that time ago. In reality, it had not been long at all. But it seemed like a life-time had passed.
James stopped walking to admire the scene before him. The blossoms had just arrived and all around was nature’s beauty, back after a long sleep. But nothing compared to Catherine. Like it was all a backdrop designed to make her stand out even more.
James had long ago stopped trying to erase the seemingly foolish thoughts that would rise up in his head whenever he saw her. Sometimes he even spoke some of them aloud. It was too late for him. He would never be the same man again.
His memory took him back to that day when he discovered who Catherine was. Not who she really was, as he maintained she was truly herself only with him. But that day he met Jack in the pub. That day when Tom rushed in after him, too late, trying to tell him. James remembered the confusion he felt when he saw Catherine sitting at the table with Jack. Her brother, Jack. The numbness that set in as the facts lept into his awareness. It was almost silly how he had not put them together before. However, it is amazing how the mind can lie to itself so well, all in the name of love.
He had wanted an explanation. Their brief talk later that night provided no clarity at all. But as the weeks went by and Jack’s health deteriorated, James started to put the pieces together. He could see why Catherine had been so cold to him. Why she seemed like a completely different person after he knew her last name. But there was a lot about James that Catherine did not know. And the plan came to him quickly and easily. However, the ceremony being pushed up at short notice, to accommodate Jack’s health had not been in the plan. And he had almost been too late.
The image of Catherine collapsing in her wedding gown would never leave his memory until the day he died. He had taken a step forward to catch her, only to be dragged out by William’s men. Poor chap. James almost felt sorry for him. He could tell that William did love her, in whatever way he could. But James also knew that William was no fool. And anyone could see Catherine’s true motives if they looked hard enough.
That is why today would be different. He would have time and space to speak with her freely. He could tell her about his past. And explain where he had been all this time.
Catherine turned as he approached the tree. She looked well. Quite well, in fact. But considering that last time he had seen her, it really was no wonder.
What surprised James the most was her eyes. Once alive and full of mischief, Catherine’s chocolate-brown eyes were flat and dull. She almost seemed to have a sharp edge to her as she regarded him.
James spoke first. “I had hoped you would be here.” He paused, searching for any sign of warmth in her eyes. Exhaling slowly, he continued. “I would like to explain to you why I have been gone for so long. After the… the ceremony, I realized what had to be done. And it was silly for me to wait for so long to act, but I thought I had weeks before your… before the wedding. And so…”
Catherine squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. But he continued. “No, I won’t let you stop me again. I have to tell you who I really am. I know you have been through a lot and I believe I understand why, but I see a way out for you and a way for us to be together.” His words came out faster as he hurried to get to his new plan.
Catherine was holding herself around her waist and still shaking her head, eyes still squeezed tightly shut. “James…” she started to say. But he cut her off. “I can help. I know about Jack and why you had to marry William. I know that is why you said what you said to me. I understand why you had to lie to me. But there are things that you need to know. We can be together.” James lowered his head to look into her eyes. Catherine was looking at the ground. He lifted her chin with his hand to meet her eyes. “Don’t you want to be together?” The thought had not occurred to him. A sharp pain started to pierce his chest, and his breathing became shallow. But one look into her eyes told him that was not the case. He let out a long breath of relief. “Ok then. Here’s what we need to do…”
“James…” Catherine whispered.
“The marriage can be annulled easily enough. Half the town figures you only married him for money anyway so… oh, sorry, but really we can use that to our advantage…”
Catherine shook her head. “Jack…”
James beamed. “Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I have money. Well not really anymore, but my family does. That is where I have been all this time. It’s a bit tricky and I had to agree to a few things first but…”
Catherine spoke up again, louder. “James.” She folded her arms across her middle again. “I have to…”
But James just kept on with his plan. “After the annulment I figured we could…” James stopped mid-sentence. Catherine had just said his name in a way he had never heard before. And he had certainly never heard her speak that loudly before. At least not at him.
“What is it?” he asked. “You don’t like the plan? People will stop talking eventually, and an annulment is perfectly respectable, or will be eventually when everyone forgets and moves on to another topic to gossip about. What could possibly stop us from being together now?”
James was beaming from ear to ear, looking down at the woman he loved. The woman he had been thinking of each day for the past three months. The reason he had revisited his past, and sacrificed everything to mend bridges that were not meant to be mended. And yet he did it all. And he did it to be with her. And now there was nothing standing in their way.
“So. What do you have to say about all this?” He raised an eyebrow at her. But as he met her eyes once again, he could feel the smile slowly slipping from his face. The look in her eyes was one that he had not anticipated nor could he truly understand. Until she explained.
“James.” Catherine began, softly this time. “I’m pregnant.”
