Free The Critchfield Locket by Sheila M. Rogers

began to walk away, he suddenly stopped, but did not fully turn back around. “I approve of your working with Rose. It will be good for you to have someone other than myself to spend your days with. I am, after all, a very busy man.” With that, he hurriedly walked off, leaving Kate stunned in his wake.
    One moment she was flying higher than she had ever been , and the next moment she felt as though she had been slapped in the face. All this within the space of a few minutes and delivered by the same man. Kate remained in the garden, taking a seat on the old stone bench. She would not let anyone see her cry this time. In that moment, she felt so alone, abandoned and afraid. When Kate had finished crying, she ran her hands through the cool pond water and washed her face.
    As she entered the manor, she made sure to keep her head down should she encounter anyone on her way to her room.
    Kate had been so lost in her writings that she did not notice Mrs. Thompson had entered her room. She was barely able to suppress a squeal of surprise upon hearing Mrs. Thompson’s voice.
    "Ms. Dornacher, I have been asked to inform you that Mr. Bennett will be away from the manor for a week, perhaps longer. Should you need any assistance, I am at your service."
    “Oh? Did Mr. Bennett say where he would be?”
    Mrs. Thompson narrowed her eyes in response to such a question. Her voice grew even colder.
    “He has business to attend to.”
    “Yes, of course. Thank you for informing me.”
    Mrs. Thompson nodded her head in recognition, and then left the room as quickly as she came in.
                 
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    Kate spent most of her days assisting Rose with a large wedding order she was trying to complete. At any other time, the work might have seemed tedious, but thankfully, Rose shared many stories about her life growing up. A little over a week after Nicholas had left, Rose’s house keeper came into the work room followed by Mr. Baxter.
    “Begging your pardon, mum, Mr. Baxter is here to speak with Ms. Dornacher.”
    Kate looked over at Rose who nodded her head, then carefully placed the piece she was working aside. “Yes, Mr. Baxter, how may I help you?”
    “I have been instructed to escort you back to the manor.”
    Kate’s eyebrows furrowed as she listened. “What do you mean instructed? By whom?”
    “Mr. Bennett has returned home and has asked that I escort you there at once.”
    Kate tried to not let the knot in her stomach show. He probably found out that I’m some sort of low life, and he’s going to throw me to the wolves.
    Sensing the uneasiness in her friend, Rose laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Try not to worry. Perhaps he has some good news for you.”
    “Let us hope so.”
    The wom en briefly embraced before Kate left with Mr. Baxter. Once outside, Kate noticed two more gentlemen. She recognized Mr. Thompson, the groundskeeper and Mrs. Thompson’s husband, but the other one, she did not know. Mr. Baxter ushered her inside the carriage where they were joined by Mr. Thompson. A light tap to the carriage roof and they began to move along the way. When they arrived at the manor, she was quickly escorted inside.
    Mrs. Thompson was waiting for them. “Ms. Dornacher, Mr. Bennett wishes to see you in the library.”
    Kate nodded in response. At this point, she still had no idea what was going on and could not shake the feeling that something was wrong. When she entered the library she found Nicholas sitting at his desk reading a document. He didn’t even look up when he began to speak.
    “Ms. Dornacher, I am sure you are wondering why I asked you here so I will get to the point.” He sat the document down and finally looked at her. She thought she could see a hint of something in his eyes but she wasn’t sure. “ I went to Loganville under the guise of purchasing land. I was able to access the property information of the local homes. I also made inquiries