Chapter 424: Guidance (3)
Kate watched Harper storm out of the court. She was confident that Harper didn’t listen to what she said. If she did, Harper would have stayed longer to speak.
Kate didn’t bother to think about what would happen to Harper. She already had much on her mind from Warren, yet to be found, and Mary was having a baby.
Then there was the slightest chance that Kate could stumble upon one of the Collinses since they wouldn’t miss the king’s coronation.
Noah soon returned to Kate’s side with a cup of water in his hands. "Are you well? What troubles your mind?"
"Nothing," Kate answered, taking the cup from Noah’s hand. "I spoke to a young lady who might put herself on a dangerous path. She reminds me a little of myself, but I was far more beautiful, and I surely wasn’t ostracised by my peers then."
"What dangerous path is she heading down?" Noah asked, curious about the talk Kate had.
"She claimed to be engaged to the brother of the man the guards placed in the dungeon. Mark warned us not to give any names at the moment, but she was quick to tell me. It seems she will pick the murderer over her father," said Kate.
"Would you have done it? Picked Simon over your father?"
"Before I knew he was a killer? I might have picked him over my father because he would be the closest I would get to a duke. Had I known he was the killer, I wouldn’t, but even then, I tried to make use of him to kill Alessandra. Who am I to judge that young lady?" Kate asked herself, looking at where Harper walked away.
"You are the perfect woman to help guide her. That is why you come to the court," Noah reminded Kate.
"I come here because I am getting paid for it. We need the money, so that is all," Kate said, still in denial.
Noah knew not to believe Kate. "You came here on the busiest day of the season when there are crowds of people around, all because one young lady wanted to see you today. You haven’t complained once about being told to wait. We don’t need money that badly."
"Yes, we do," Kate said, pushing the cup toward Noah for him to drink and be silent. "We need the money so you can get better shirts. You’re my husband, so it is only right that you should look the part. If anyone sees you, they should be jealous of how handsome you look."
Kate didn’t know who her old friends married, but she was willing to bet that their husbands were not as handsome as Noah. He was the kind of man the married ladies fawned over when their husbands were not around.
"I wore my best shirt. I am going to get a new shirt, and then you will need more dresses. You work for the court, so you should look the part. I’ve heard that you were once a fashionable woman, so we must keep the stories true," Noah said, wanting to see Kate dressed up.
"Who would dress up for the court? It would be a waste of a good dress, and we need to save money if we are to move. The mansion is far too big for us to keep up with, and with Mary pregnant, it is another mouth to feed until she finds work," said Kate.
"I’m not ready to leave Lockwood, but I am ready to move on from my childhood home. We should move faster to find a smaller home we can manage. You can enjoy fixing it up," Kate said, knowing Noah would like to lose himself in work.
"Are you certain? I found a home, but I did not think you truly were ready to move. You always said your home is a reminder of the lady you once were. You pride yourself on once being the daughter of a baron."
"I am no longer Kate Barret. I am Kate Kennedy. I want this part of my life to be a better change. What use is a grand home we cannot afford to have? Sell it fast so we can move. We don’t need a home with two floors since it must be tiring for you to lift me," Kate said, avoiding Noah’s eyes.
"I am starting to feel that they have switched my wife for someone who looks like her," Noah said, pinching Kate’s hand.
Kate winced and pinched Noah back so he would share the pain. "It is hurtful that you do not think it is me because I am being nice. Do you want to stay in that home? You were always the one pushing for us to leave."
"Yes, but it wasn’t my place to urge you to do it. You had more wealth than I ever laid my hands on, and the home belongs to you. I will follow what you want," Noah said, having no issue with moving.
"I’m sorry if I ever made you feel small. I am almost certain there must have been a time when I openly looked down on you. For all that you do for me, it’s not right. I’m sorry," Kate apologised.
"I don’t think anything of it. Your life is far important than mine. I’ll make sure our next home is just as grand as the mansion is. I’ll do my best to spoil you. Is the young woman staring at you the one you were waiting for?" Noah asked, noticing a young girl in the distance.
"Yes, it is. Go, go," Kate said, pushing Noah away. "You’ll scare her if you stay."
"You just said that I am handsome," Noah said, but he still stood up.
"You are, but the court doesn’t have men present when I speak. You must busy yourself with something. Get a glimpse of the king," Kate said, shooing Noah away. She smiled at the young lady who managed to get her out of her home for the day. "We should get started."