Free The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble Page A

your father had another child?”
    Katie didn’t want to face her mother’s accusing stare, but she forced herself to wheel and look at her mother’s stricken face. “I’m not sure, Mama. We have no real way of knowing now.”
    “I’ll leave you to deal with her for now,” the constable said. “We will talk more tomorrow.” His voice held a note of warning.
    Her mother grabbed the door frame for support, and the doctor seized her arm to steady her. “I’ve administered laudanum,” he said. “She needs to go to bed.”
    “I’ll see she gets there.” Katie took her mother’s hand.
    Her mother jerked her fingers away. “Not until you tell me what you’re whispering about out here. I shall speak to your father about this. He’ll be most distressed at your accusations.” There was a wildness in her blue eyes, and her mouth pulled to one side.
    Katie pitched her voice to a soothing tone. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow. You’re about to fall down.”
    “The laudanum will let her sleep,” Dr. Lambertson said. “Let me help you get her to bed.”
    With Katie on one side of her mother and the doctor on the other, they managed to get her to the high bedstead before she collapsed. “Will she remember any of this when she awakens?” Katie asked.
    “I hope her head is clear after resting a few hours,” the doctor said. “But it’s been a hard blow to her mind. I’ll check in on her later in the morning. Stay with her until then.”
    He took his leave, and Katie arranged for the groom to take Mr. Jesperson’s horse back to him. She dragged her pillow and quilt to the floor by her mother’s bed. Nubbins followed Katie into the soft folds of the bedding. The kitten curled up on Katie’s chest and closed his eyes, but Katie watched her mother’s chest fall and rise. She prayed for a way to open out of this confusion.
    The sugar failed to cover the bitterness of the tea. Katie took another sip, hoping the beverage would sharpen her mind. The grit in her eyes reminded her of the tears she’d cried most of the morning. And the reason for them. She watched the sun illuminate her sleeping mother’s pale face on the pillow. If only she would awaken with the light of sanity in her eyes after sleeping for a few hours. Katie set her tea on the bedside table.
    When the blue orbs focused on Katie’s face, her silent prayer was answered. Her mother sat up and reached for Katie’s hand. “Have you been here all along, darling? What time is it?”
    Katie hung onto her mother’s cold fingers. “I didn’t want to leave you. It’s ten. How are you feeling?”
    Her mother’s eyes filled. “Your father wanted to leave us, didn’t he?
    I can’t fathom it.”
    “We don’t know that for sure, Mama. Someone broke in here and attacked you. What if that same person hurt Papa?” She’d rather believe that than that her accusations had driven her father over the edge of sanity.
    Her mother clutched Katie’s hand. “Don’t think this is your fault, darling. I didn’t want to worry you, but your father’s business is in trouble. I fear that was why he jumped off the falls, regardless of what this business with Miss Bulmer might lead us to believe.”
    Katie shook her head. The haberdashery had always seemed indestructible, bustling with customers. They had a good life, one of comfort and respect. “You mean in danger of bankruptcy?” The very thought filled Katie with horror. The shame of it all would destroy Mama. She’d grown up with the best of everything.
    Her mother twisted a lock of loose hair around her finger. “He told me two weeks ago. The bank had turned down his request for a loan on the business, and this house is mortgaged for the maximum amount.”
    Katie tried to absorb the dreadful meaning. “We shall have to move?”
    “We may have no choice.” Tears flooded her mother’s eyes, and she glanced around the lavishly appointed bedroom.
    Katie followed her gaze. Damask curtains hung at the