Kate Armstrong

1882

        Chapter 1

Kate Armstrong was devastated.  Three days before her marriage, her betrothed, William Gaunt, was killed in a hunting accident. He had been out with Kate’s father Desmond, who was Master of the Hunt, her brothers, Denis and Brian and several of their family and friends, on what had become an annual event. 

The traditional stirrup cup was served at six, and by six thirty the mist was lifting, the hounds had been whipped in, and it was time to move out.  

By nine o’clock, the fox was taken and the men were on their way back for breakfast in high good humour.   Will’s horse threw a shoe and fell, pitching him into a swollen stream; a shout of laughter had gone up, a jest about men bathing before breakfast. 

It was Desmond who first realised that William had not moved, and that the water was now stained with blood.   He leapt from his horse, threw the reins to the man closest to him, and waded into the freezing cold water.  After a few yards, his feet could not find the bottom, and he was forced to feel his way across the rocks, half swimming, and half climbing to reach the stricken man.  William had hit his head on a submerged rock; he died without regaining consciousness.

At the age of seventeen Kate’s dream had ended.  She had loved William Gaunt since she was twelve and he was twenty. She had haunted the stables where he worked as her father's right hand man, been scolded by her mother for neglecting her duties in the stillroom and kitchen, but she had never wavered in her devotion.  Eventually, Will who had grown to love the child too, had asked her parents’ permission for them to marry. 

Kate sat on a straight-backed chair in her bedroom.  She had been advised to lie down, but she had never lain down on her bed in the middle of the day before, and it didn't feel right.  She stared into space. Not seeing anything. Not aware of her mother standing near.  She tried to make her mind go blank, but the thought kept coming that she should be doing something.   She wasn't sure what, but it was important to try to remember. She looked up. Curtains -, that was it; she should be hanging curtains, but where.   She looked at the window, there was no breeze, and the heavy drapes were drawn?   Some one must have died.  She slid from the chair and lay prone on the floor.  Between them, Kate’s mother, Katherine and her maid, Mary McCafferty lifted Kate on to the bed.  Though truth to tell, Mary did most of the lifting, while Katherine pulled back the bedclothes.

For three days Kate remained unaware of anything that went on around her, then she opened her eyes.  She looked around the familiar room and sighed, then rose from her bed, took a dressing gown from behind the door and put it on.  The door opened and her mother walked in.
"Kate! You're awake my love", She said putting her arm around the girl.  "Do you remember anything?" 
"Indeed I do Mother", she answered, "But I don't know what to do."  Katherine opened the wardrobe door and lifted out a black dress and petticoat. 
"I'll send Mary up with some tea and toast for you.  Then she can bring some water.  You can have a wash and put your clothes on,” she said.  Kate looked at the dress her mother had laid ready for her and raised her eyes to Katherine’s face.
"I should have been wearing a white one, should I not Mother?" she asked, "but I never will now, will I?" 
"Maybe one day my lamb, maybe one day," her mother answered gently, but Kate was insistent.
"No Mother, I never will." 

                                                                          - - -
Down stairs everything was dim.  Mirrors draped in black, windows covered.  Desmond rose as his wife and elder daughter came into the room.
"How are you feeling now my Katie?" he asked, wondering how he was supposed to treat this woman/child.  "Did the sleep help you?"   For answer, Kate walked over and put her arms around him and lay her head on his chest.   
"I am ready now, to go and do what must be done Father."  He patted her shoulder, and sought his wife's eyes, Katherine nodded, and the trio donned over-coats and hats and left the house. 
It was only a short walk to the manse, where the minister was waiting for them.  The reverend Mr John Douglas rose as they entered the room, and shook hands solemnly with his parishioner. 
"Good afternoon John," said Desmond,” good of you to see us so quickly”."Not at all, not at all" the minister answered.  "Would the ladies like some tea?" Katherine and Kate both shook their heads.  John nodded, and addressed Kate directly.
" William's parents have arrived from Wicklow, and they have decided that we should hold the funeral tomorrow," he said, adding kindly," If you want me to, I could ask them to delay it a day or two?" Kate shook her head,
“No, no Mr Douglas, we must do as Mr and Mrs Gaunt wish.  Will would want me to be thoughtful of them.”  Kate said. 
       
                                                                       ~ ~  ~

The friends and relations who had gathered joyfully from all over Ireland, and even some from Scotland, to attend the wedding, now waited in the churchyard, heads bowed, while the coffin was lowered into the ground.  Gaily coloured, fashionable gowns discarded, in favour of hastily acquired, funeral garb.  The weather was cold, and the mourners shivered as the fine misty rain fell, mingling with the tears.