Catherine Renee': Mail Order Brides Series, #9

By Beverly Kovatch

The Hawthorne family has a secret. One that they have tried to keep from Catherine her whole life. A so-called accident brings William Hawthorne, his wife Helena, and Cat to Branford Connecticut. This is where Catherine meets a handsome young married lawyer named Samuel Wentworth, and where their lives change forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beverly Kovatch
• Release date: Aug 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223510208

Beverly Kovatch

This Author is about as unknown as one can become. She sometimes lives in the past, sometimes in the future, sometimes right in the middle of the present. Her mind wanders from what was to what is to what could be. That is the power of the written and spoken word. There are so many opportunities for so many people, and she wonders why no one seems to seek them out. She lives on a farm in what was once a vast farmland area. A few people still believe in farming, but each year, there seem to be fewer and fewer of them. This past year, it appears that the moral background of the world is rapidly disappearing. It takes hard work to be a farmer nowadays. It is a lot easier to sit back and watch others do it. People have taken this place we call home for granted. The pandemic threw us all for a loop, but it also made some realize that unless we fight for what we believe in, our country, the one we all grew up in, could be lost. It took hard work and determination for us to be where we are, and all of it started with a small dream. You see, everything in life begins with a dream. This Author once dreamt she could one day write a book that others might enjoy reading, and here she is. She has written not one book but more than twenty books. Some people dream of owning just a small piece of land, owning their own little business, raising their families in a free land, a place where we are allowed to say what we feel in our hearts, fight for what we believe in, worship at the church of our choice. These past few years have taught this Author that there is power in our words. Once our words are silenced, we have given up one of our most treasured rights. It is my hope, my dream, that the power that you, my readers, have within you will never be silenced. The dreams you hold inside will always be fulfilled, and that you will always and forever … Keep on Dreaming!

Book preview

Chapter One

Catherine Renee’ Hawthorne was a shy young woman whose life seemed to be constantly in distress. Her turmoil, well, was due to family differences. Her father’s family, the Hawthornes, belonged to the social elite of Connecticut. In contrast, her stepmother Helena’s family belonged to what the elite considered a  much lesser class of people, otherwise referred to as back hills country folk. It wasn’t really that way; her stepmother was a loving and kind person who would do anything for anyone. Helena’s family came from Northwest cattle country, and social graces of tea and keeping your little finger off the teacup handle was not her style.

Helena, the kind and caring person she was, had traveled from Wyoming to Connecticut to help care for her husband’s sister-in-law, Margarie, who had suddenly taken ill. It seemed as though her gesture was not at all appreciated or welcomed. Although her father, William, tried hard to get his family to treat her and Helena respectfully, he wasn’t winning the battle.

She was used to her father calling her Cat, primarily because of her green cat eyes, but here, her Aunt and Uncle insisted that she must properly be called Catherine and that calling her Cat was just unacceptable. They had been there for over a month, and Cat was itching to return home.

Catherine routinely walked to a park near her Uncle Gregory’s home each evening. It was her release, a way to eliminate her anxiety about her future and what awaited her back in Wyoming.

On these walks to the park, she noticed someone else who almost looked as anxious as she. He, too, seemed to take these routine walks each evening. He was tall and quite handsome, but to be discrete, she would sit a couple of benches away. She knew he saw her because she caught him taking overtly sly glances her way.

She would smile and nod; he would acknowledge her nod politely but never speak to her.

One day everything changed. He finally got up from his bench, walked over, and introduced himself.

I am Samuel Wentworth, he said. It seems that we have something in common.

And, what might that be? she answered.

Evening walks to these two park benches, it seems, he replied and smiled.

His smile was captivating, but she recognized the name; her Uncle had mentioned something to her father about the Wentworths. He asked if he could join her, and before they knew it, they began talking as if they were old friends.

She was a bit disappointed when he told her he was married. After all, that meant that although he was quite handsome, he was also unavailable. He explained that he was an attorney in his grandfather's law firm. He knew of her Uncle through business dealings with his grandfather. Mr. Wentworth was very polite, and it seemed to her that he needed a friend he could talk to. It couldn’t possibly hurt to have a casual conversation. She told herself it was appropriate, out in the open, and nothing could go wrong.

So, for several weeks in the early evening, she and Samuel would meet and talk. She learned all about Samuel, his family, and the tragedies of losing his mother and father, his brother Artie and his sister Sara. His tragic story broke her heart.

I have talked so much about myself, Miss Hawthorne; you should tell me all about you now.

There is not much to tell; I did not have such tragedy as you have experienced. My parents are kind and loving, but my Uncle and his wife not so much. I do not wish to be here, but my parents insisted I could not stay unchaperoned at the ranch.

Ah, yes, the ranch in Wyoming, is that correct?

Yes, I am surprised you remembered."

Well, I am a farm boy at heart and always desired to have my own ranch and a large family. Maybe I am just trying to rekindle my childhood. He laughed.

That is an admirable dream, Mr. Wentworth. Why do you put it off as if it is something not possible?

Well, I shouldn’t say this to you, but my marriage was one of convenience; well, maybe that isn’t exactly the right word. There was an arrangement between the Wentworths and the elite Branford family that our marriage would unite our city’s two most prominent families.

I see, she replied. So, not exactly a happy marriage?

What is it about arranged marriages? It seems that everyone nowadays is doing that. What happened to falling in love and marrying the person you love? A marriage where the couple can be happy and grow old together? she said, thinking of the pending marriage her father had arranged for her. It was unbearable to even think she would be forced to marry her father’s foreman when she returned home.

Samuel laughed. I agree; that is something I once dreamed of. Those dreams seem like they were centuries ago. The thought of marrying someone you are actually in love with? When someone is born into wealth, falling in love is an impossible dream; although my father managed to do it, I am not sure how. You see, people of wealth are usually forced, or maybe coerced is the correct word, into marrying other people of wealth.

Oh my, I certainly hope not, she said. I could never do that to my child. I want them to experience romance and excitement, a journey with the one you love.

That is quite a dream, Catherine.  My arranged marriage is far, far from happy. She wants no children, and it seems she has achieved her goals in life. Going on a journey somewhere far from Branford would not be something Lyla would ever want. She has her large beautiful, empty home, and it will remain that way forever, according to her.

Oh, I am so sad for you, Mr. Wentworth. That is just another tragedy for you.

I have become accustomed to tragedy, Miss Hawthorne.  I am also afraid our discussion has gone on so long that it has gotten late. I am sure your mother and father will be worried, and I should escort you home.

Samuel walked Catherine to the door of her Uncle’s home and bid her good night. Catherine stepped into the entry and was immediately greeted by her Uncle.

"Where have you been? Do you not realize that a young single woman walking the streets at this hour is unacceptable?

He then mumbled that you are just like your mother under his breath but loud enough for her to hear.

I took a walk in the park and am sorry I am late. I just lost track of time.

A likely story, he replied.

Helena quickly motioned for her to go to her room, so Catherine promptly ran up the stairs and slammed the door. How dare her Uncle imply that she was out carousing. Samuel had been a perfect gentleman. What did her mother do that would make him say something so horrible like that? Everything she did was perfectly proper.  

When Samuel returned home, he got the same theatrics from Lyla, overbearing and out of line.

How dare you sit and converse with another woman in a public place where everyone can see you. Do you know what gossip is going to start now? You are so foolish sometimes, Samuel. I think you have no brain at all.

Samuel ignored the tirade; that was normal for Lyla, but how did she know about Catherine unless she had him followed.

You can have your little temper tantrum by yourself, Lyla; you have no idea what you are talking about, he said as he sprinted up the stairs, headed to the guest room, and slammed the door. He loved being dramatic when she was like this. It gave him a sense of pleasure. He smiled once he entered the bedroom. All he was concerned about was Cat, though. If Lyla knew about their meetings in the park, so did her family. He may have thought he and Catherine had been discrete, but Lyla would have the gossip flowing, and he would have to face his grandfather's wrath once the news spread around town.

The following day Samuel got up early.  He walked out the door and headed off to the office. He purposely wanted to be gone before Lyla woke. Her tirade from the night before was more than he could handle first thing in the morning.  Samuel was tired of her confrontations; he needed Lyla to give him a reason to walk away. He knew that his grandparents would never allow a separation or divorce. That would be a major scandal. This was just two lonely people sharing a conversation out in the open, not some sordid affair, as Lyla implied.

The Wentworth name was prominent in Connecticut, and doing something drastic, like getting a divorce, would tarnish the family name. It wouldn’t do much for his reputation, either. He told himself he must stay away from Catherine for her sake. He just wasn’t sure he could.

He walked into the office, and his grandfather’s receptionist greeted him.

Good morning Mr. Wentworth; I put the mail on your desk.

Thank you, Patrice, has my grandfather arrived yet?

No sir, which is quite unusual. He is normally the first one here.

Well, if you need me, I will be in my office.

Samuel walked over and opened the door. The giant oak desk took up almost half of the office space, but Lyla had insisted he needed one that size. He could hear her voice saying Samuel, you are a partner in a prominent law firm, and you need something fitting that status.

He hated the desk, the law firm, and that he was not in Missouri but in a stinky city filled with too many people. He was tired of catering to the wealthy who had all the money in the world and yet could do nothing but complain.

His grandparents had managed to keep his family history his secret. He wondered what those elite people would think if he told them his father had been a poor dirt farmer in Missouri and that his parents and sister were slaughtered by renegade Indians.

From the conversations he had experienced with these people, he could safely assume not one of them had ever set eyes on an Indian before in their lives, let alone watch them kill a family member. They eat their fancy meals in fancy restaurants, or servants prepare everything for them. Thinking of his grandfather's friend Thomas trying to milk a cow almost made him laugh.

Sam picked up the mail and started sorting through it. On the bottom of the pile was a letter from California; that was unusual, he thought. Samuel assumed the letter must be for his grandfather, probably some old law school friend who had moved west.  Since it was not officially addressed to anyone, he opened it.

The letter intrigued him. He wasn’t sure why it came to their law office since it was more of an inquiry and not something regarding a legal matter. The letter stated that the person inquiring had come into possession of a small jewelry box with the name Maddie engraved on top. It was imperative that they find the original owner of the box. The letter stated that the person who delivered the box had purchased it in  Branford, Connecticut, at an auction. They hoped that someone who knew the community well enough would perhaps know the original owner or donator.

Samuel laughed. It seemed quite strange that his mother’s jewelry box ended up in California to start, but what a coincidence that out of all the law offices in Branford, the inquiry letter arrived at his office and was opened by his hands. It was almost as if God above was directing the whole thing.

The letter was signed by David Peterson, Silver Valley, California. Samuel wondered what would make a donation of his mother’s jewelry box so imperative to this David Peterson. He was curious, though, how in the world did it get from Branford to Silver Valley. That was quite a distance.

Samuel folded up the letter and placed it in his suit pocket. He would have to delve into this mystery later as he heard his grandfather’s voice rambling in the outer office.

Where is Samuel? He said firmly to Patrice. By the tone of his grandfather's voice, he knew that the story of Catherine had already reached its way to him.

He’s working in his office, sir, she said meekly.

Yes, sir, Samuel replied, knowing exactly what this was about.

There were never any secrets between the Wentworths and Lyla’s family. He was sure this had to be about his disagreement with Lyla; she probably cried to her mother about how mean and spiteful he was.

What is this that I hear about you meeting a young woman at the park?

First of all, grandfather, are you implying I’m having an affair? Because if you are, I am most certainly not having an affair. I  sat with a wonderfully pleasant young lady I met at the park. She is the niece of Gregory Hawthorne, and I escorted her safely home last night. Nothing more, nothing less. I cannot help what Lyla thinks is happening in her head, but I am certainly not in any relationship with this young woman.

It doesn’t take much to start a scandal, Samuel. A married man walking a single young lady home will be the talk of this town. We have a solid reputation in town, and what does that say about Lyla?

It says nothing about Lyla, and all it says about me is that I was being a gentleman making sure the lovely young lady made it safely to her door like I said nothing more, nothing less.

That is not the picture it paints, Samuel; you know it. Lyla told your grandmother you have been sleeping in the guest room for over a month. What is this all about?

That, grandfather, is between Lyla and me, and I don’t wish to start rumors of how my marriage is or is not going at the moment.

Let me clarify, Samuel, divorce is not an option here.

"You have made it very clear multiple times, grandfather.  I have no intention of dishonoring the Wentworth name. I will, however, be taking a business trip to California. I received a letter,