The Bride Goes Rogue (The Fifth Avenue Rebels #3)(83)

Nellie reached to take Katherine’s satchel. “Of course. You sounded upset on the telephone this morning. I wasn’t about to let you struggle alone.”

Gratitude filled Katherine’s chest like a balloon. Using the hotel’s telephone just after dawn, she rang Nellie and asked for help getting out of the Adirondacks as quickly as possible. Her friend had moved heaven and earth to have a private railcar waiting at the connection in Saratoga Springs. “Still, you didn’t need to come,” she said as they started walking. “The use of your father’s private coach was more than enough.”

“It was no problem. I had it rerouted from Albany. What’s the benefit of having a father who owns most of the railroads on the East Coast if I can’t rescue a friend in need?” Nellie studied Katherine’s face. “You look exhausted.”

Indeed, she was. She’d lain awake most of the night, thinking, wrestling with her feelings, and departed just as soon as the sun peeked out over the lake. Preston hadn’t even twitched when she dressed and left.

Nellie held open the door at the top of the stairs. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”

“Preston happened.”

“What? How?”

“He’s been up there all week. Leaving me breakfast, cooking me fish for dinner. Mind you, this was after I told him to go away.”

“That’s . . . odd.”

“Very. But last night, we had dinner together and . . .” She didn’t need to say it, did she?

“And more.” Nellie edged around a family stopped to study a departure board. “Were you ready for more?”

“I asked for it, actually. I wanted one last time with him.”

“I’m sure he didn’t argue about that.”

“He didn’t know. He thinks it means I’ve forgiven him.”

Nellie wrinkled her nose. “I’m not one to take Preston’s side, but that seems a bit harsh, Katie. Why didn’t you talk to him?”

Katherine ignored the small sliver of guilt that tried to wrap around her heart as the two women continued through the busy station. The chaos made it impossible to carry on a private conversation, which suited Katherine just fine. Nellie went directly to a side door and stepped through, and soon they were outside, where a closed carriage waited at the curb.

“This is us,” Nellie said, tilting her head toward the conveyance.

When they settled inside, Katherine exhaled. “You are the very best friend a girl could ask for.”

“I know. But don’t think I won’t return to our earlier conversation. I don’t understand why you didn’t talk to Preston about how you were feeling.”

“What good would it have done? He’s already apologized and I told him I can’t forgive him.”

“Can’t?” Nellie cocked her head, her expression almost disappointed. “You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. Can you really not get past this?”

“He stole that property away from me!”

“And are you surprised?” Nellie huffed a laugh. “This is Preston we’re talking about. You know his reputation. He didn’t hide his feelings about your father. And he repeatedly warned you the property was his and not to get attached to it. You want to know what I think?”

Katherine picked at a loose thread on the quilt, not meeting her friend’s eyes. “No, not anymore,” she grumbled.

“Ha! You just want me to take your side. Well, I will always tell it to you straight, Miss Let’s-go-cavorting. I think you’ve fallen in love with the man.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Katherine lied instantly. “That would be incredibly stupid of me.”

“Not if he shared your feelings. And, considering he trailed you up to Lake George and played private chef for five days, I’d say that he does.”

Haven’t you realized by now the lengths I’ll go to for you?

Still, it was impossible. Preston, in love with her? She nearly snorted. He merely wished to bed her again, to begin their trysts once more. To distract her from the fight over Twenty-Third Street.

And even if all that weren’t true, she was a Delafield. He could never love her, not after what happened between their fathers.

“You’re wrong,” she told Nellie. “He doesn’t feel anything for me.”

“I disagree. You should’ve seen him at my house, Katie. He was like a rabid dog, wanting to know where you were.”

“What? Preston came to see you?” She angled toward her friend. “When?”

“A few days after you left. He begged me to tell him where you were. Begged, Katie. And he was livid when I wouldn’t.” Nellie bumped Katherine’s knee with her own. “Told me he cared about you. A lot.”

“He did? Those were his words?”

“Yes. I almost felt sorry for him—but then I remembered how he hurt you and I was cured of any sympathy.”

Katherine couldn’t believe it. Preston had begged Nellie for information? “He must’ve hated that you wouldn’t help him. He’s used to getting his way.”

“Like I said, he was quite angry when I refused. All in all, I think this is very good for Preston. You’re humbling him. Showing him that he can’t have everything he wants by sheer force of will alone.”