Subj: Remember Me My Love Chapter 8
Date: 1/27/01 8:53:36 PM Central Standard Time
From: Julianka
Watching the clock on her bedside table was a useless exercise.
"Move! Move you damn hands!" plead Katherine to the little clock. For she and Nicholas were to meet at midnight in the garden under her balcony. She had allowed her maid to prepare her for bed as always. After she dismissed Mary for the night, Katherine went into action. She pack a large case with enough clothes for several days, taking care to tuck her jewelry in the bottom. Next she sat down and wrote a letter to her father. As carefully as she could, she attempted to explain her feelings to her father. Telling him she would contact him at their home in England in a month's time. Next she dressed with care, for this might be her wedding night! By this time tommorrow she could be a married lady!
Going out on to her balcony, she saw Nicholas must be as anxious as she herself, for there he was in the shadows. He was over a half an hour earlier! Cautioning her to be quiet, he crossed to her balcony and climbed up. Around his shoulders he had flung a rope ladder.
Laughing silencely, Katherine said, "Surely you don't expect me to climb down that in this dress?"
Taking her in his arms and he kissed her passionately, he replied, "It is the safest way darling. You might be caught leaving through the house."
"I'll be quiet as a little mouse dear. You wouldn't want my wedding dress to be torn, would you?" she answered as she cuddled closer to him. "But darling...."
"Oh Nicholas....please." Unable to resist her, he warned her to take care. He would meet her below in the garden with her case.
"Hurry darling. I'll be losing my mind until we are together again!"
After one last kiss, she raced from the room.
Katherine chose to go down the main staircase as she was unfamiliar with the others and feared becoming lost. The house was in darkness. Slowly she tip-toed down the stairs, skirting the edges of the grand salon to the library where she knew she could leave the house via the the french doors that graced that room. In a wink of an eye she was outside, crossing the side lawn she was soon in the garden. Seeing her love, Katherine rushed to his waiting arms.
A shout split the stillness of the night. "NICHOLAS!"
Turning she and Nicholas saw Benardino standing not 10 yards away holding a dueling pistol.
"I should have known! After yesterday evening!" he sneered at Nicholas. "Come away from him Katherine!"
"No!" she cried.
"Give it up little brother. Katherine loves me!" answered Nicholas.
"Please Benardino. We are leaving. We are going to be married!" she begged.
"You were to be MINE! MINE DO YOU HEAR!" He screamed. In his rage he squeezed the trigger.
He and Nicholas both screamed NO at that same instant.
The shot hit Katherine squarely in her breast and lodged in her heart. Nicholas gently lowered her to the ground.
"GET HELP YOU FOOL!" he screamed at his brother.
"Won't..help..darling" Katherine moaned.
"Don't leave me! Please Katherine!" groaned Nicholas.
"I..love....y..you..." Katherine's eyes started to flutter closed.
"I'LL FIND YOU AGAIN! EVEN IF I HAVE TO SELL MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL HIMSELF!" Nicholas swore to her.
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Maggie awoke in her bed at Collinwood with the full memory of the dream journey into the past she had taken. Now she knew why she had been drawn to Nicholas to begin with. Arising she went to the window and opening it to the night, she spoke, "Hurry back to me my love! I remember you now."
The end