by Ella Edon
Above all, she had to admit it was the shame that haunted her. She had said so much to Anne that had hurt her. She had brought up a buried past and thrown it in her face. Irrespective of how she wanted to blame her being unready, the truth was that she was afraid to face them.
"I am not ready to speak with them."
Arthur shook his head. "At this rate, you may never be ready. You don't have to wait till you're ready to reconcile. You just have to do it. There is never a time when one is fully ready to let go, but knowing it is the right thing to do should be all you need."
Katherine clenched her teeth. "Have a good day, Lord Bowmount."
Arthur's eyes blazed. "Don't you push me away," he warned.
Katherine knew what he was saying to her. She had promised him in London that she would not anymore. Because, he had said they were more now. More than what they had been before. And he didn't want just her passion. He wanted her mind, and her soul, as well. He wanted her to stay with him.
But now he was bringing up something she wasn't ready to close yet. She sighed and nodded at him curtly. She walked past him and headed to the foyer where the Dowager Marchioness was waiting.
She knew he would be angry she had left him there like that, knowing fully well he couldn't run off and catch her and make her look him in eye. He couldn't, because they were a secret. She felt guilty to have to do that to him, but if she stayed and looked into his blue eyes, she would do what he wanted her to.
Katherine spent most of her day in the foyer, watching Victoria play draught with the Dowager Marchioness. She also thought hard on what Arthur had said. However, her heart broke when she recalled the ugly incident.
The day passed, with nothing important done and too much thinking. Katherine found that perhaps, Arthur had been right.
When he came back, he didn't look at her. He simply bowed politely, ate his dinner, and went off to his bed chamber. He was angry. He was angry at her. For how she had shut him out, despite her promises. She understood that he had every right to. He was only looking out for her. She needed to apologize to him. She didn't realize how much eye contact between them meant to her, until he wasn't looking at her anymore.
When everyone had gone to bed and she had made sure to read to Victoria, so she could watch her slowly fall asleep, Katherine went into her bed chamber and dressed for the night. While she did, she wondered about Arthur. What was he doing, then? Was he lying awake, thinking of her in anger? She couldn’t bear it.
She put on a robe and walked out of her bed chamber. The hall was silent. Most of the candles had been put out. It was very late. She tiptoed down the hallway, past the Dowager Marchioness's bed chamber and towards the east wing.
Arthur's bed chamber was at an advantage as it was distant from every other bed chamber. Katherine walked down the hallway as quietly as she could. Her heart beat was loud in her ears. She feared that someone would see her. She contemplated returning to her bed chamber, but the guilt of knowing she was the reason for Arthur's sour mood kept her going. When she finally reached his bed chamber, she froze at his door. Would he be happy to see her?
She started to back away, perhaps she would find a way to speak to him the coming morning. It didn't have to be now. She turned and started to walk back to her room when she heard something behind her. She turned sharply and nearly screamed when she saw blue eyes staring at her. But Arthur placed his hand over her mouth before she could and pulled her into his bed chamber. He finally let go of her when his door was firmly shut. He stared at her with wide eyes.
"I was about to come to you," he said simply.
Katherine struggled to breathe properly as she stared at him. The cotton shirt he wore had all its buttons loosened, baring his flat stomach, his well-muscled chest. Lord, he looked magnificent.
Arthur narrowed his eyes at her. She cleared her throat. "Pardon me. I uh... I came to apologize for earlier today. My actions were extreme."
Arthur shook his head. "You made a promise, Katherine —"
"Which I recall, Arthur. I was just ashamed by the topic. "
"Why would you be ashamed, Katherine? They are your friends."
"I said some things that were uncalled for. It pained them both. I am too ashamed to look at them after all of that. I’m not entirely sure that they would want to see me after the things I said."
Arthur walked towards her and gripped her upper arm. "They adore you, Katherine."
"You don't understand."
"How bad could it possibly be?"
Katherine sighed. "Years ago, I was set to wed the Duke of Richmond. He and Anne fell in love, while Henry was engaged to me. I was hurt by this, but never once said anything. After all these years have passed, I threw it in Anne's face. Over something I had promised never bothered me."
Arthur was still. "You were to wed the Duke whom Anne is now wed to?"
"Yes. "
"Did you love him?"
Katherine shook her head. She had never loved Henry, but she cared for him. She had imagined a future with him. That was why it had hurt her. So, she told Arthur this. His expression was off. He seemed unhappy with the confession.
Katherine gripped his forearm now and shook him lightly. "What is it?"
"If you had brought that up after years, does that mean you still care for him?" Arthur asked. His gaze was set, and his eyes pierced hers. He was searching for an answer. She recognized, that he was bothered about her feelings towards the Duke of Richmond, which was absurd. She felt nothing for him.
Katherine couldn't help but burst into silent laughter. Arthur was jealous at the mention of another gentleman in her life. "Lord Bowmount, that is absurd. He is wed to Anne and we barely see one another. Of course not."
Arthur breathed out. "You find this funny, Lady Bowmount?"
"Absolutely. Absurd, even. How can you think that?" She giggled.
Arthur narrowed his eyes at her and began to close in on her. His narrowed eyes glinted with mischief and his gait was slow, advancing towards her with purpose. The air between them was charged and she felt a surge of heat flood her. She backed into the wall as Arthur pressed himself up against her.
He placed his hands on the belt that was tied around her waist, from the robe. "Will you shut me out again, Katherine?"
She was struggling to breathe. His nearness made her yearn for his touch on her skin, her body. He was so close, and he was touching her. Dear Lord, she felt like she would explode. She waited, hoping that he would go further.
"Lady Bowmount?" he teased. He knew how much she wanted him in that moment. His hands left the belt, now that it was loose. He edged back the robe, then brushed his fingers against her chemise, pulling the fabric away from her skin.
"Nn.. No. I won't shut you out again, Arthur...?" Please, touch me... Take me.
"Hmm. Lady Bowmount?"
She raised her eyes from where his hands were and looked into his eyes. He was smiling, and his eyes were sparkling. He was enjoying every bit of this. He leaned in, so that his lips were against her ear. "They would forgive you, if they see how much it means for you to make amends."
She nodded quickly, still distracted by his hands. Then he let go and stepped back. Color drained from her face as she watched him walk away from her. She stared at him, wondering what he was doing. "What are you doing? "
He shrugged. "Going to bed. I had an exhausting day."
She stared at him in disbelief.
He turned to her when he was by his bed. "Goodnight, Lady Bowmount."
Was he still angry? Had he not said he had forgiven her? Why arouse her and then go to sleep? He was playing games with her. She narrowed her eyes at him, ready to tell him how angry she was when he patted his bed. "Perhaps, we could lay together? "
Katherine stared at him in shock for the briefest of moments. But he was serious, the look in his eyes said so. He wanted her to lie with him. Katherine felt that it was inappropriate. If he wanted her to make love, then that was different. She w
ould know to leave after that. But simply lying down seemed so different. Comforting, yet, nerve-wracking. If she slept here, she feared something may go wrong. But his blue eyes glowed with hope that she would accept. It was those eyes that had been her guide for a while now. So, she nodded and walked over to the other side of the bed. They climbed in together and tossed the duvet over them.
Arthur moved close, until her body was close to his. Katherine felt warm against him, and slowly, she relaxed into the comfort he offered.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?" Arthur murmured in her ear.
Katherine blushed. "No."
"Hmm."
She wrapped her arms around him. "Tell me, is Flitwick like London?"
Arthur nodded. "In some ways, only London is larger. My father had been in London, for a while, but he was from Flitwick. So, when I turned ten, he requested that we move back to Flitwick. He was aged then and wanted to breathe his last in his ancestral home."
Katherine hugged him tightly. "I am so sorry to hear this."
Arthur proceeded to talk about his life in both London and Flitwick, and then, at Oxford. She found facts about him that she would never had known. He liked to dance, and he was quite good at it. He had a slight fright for riding on a horse's back after his elder sister had been thrown off when he was younger. Katherine had a good laugh while listening to him speak.
"I was frightened. Thankfully, he threw her off where there was some straw. She had a relatively soft landing and nothing serious happened. "
Katherine nodded in agreement. That could have left his sister bedridden. The room fell silent. Katherine looked up to see Arthur staring down at her. She couldn't decipher his emotions through his eyes, but she was pulled by them. Slowly, they leaned in towards each other and their lips merged. Katherine felt as though her whole body went up in flames. Arthur shifted, so she could move on top of him. She straddled him while they kissed. His hands found their way beneath her nightgown. His hands molded her perfect breasts.
She rocked herself against him and his hands pleasured her even more. Katherine felt hot all over. Her center throbbed for his touch and she pleaded with him through her eyes. They were soon both undressed, she was still on top of him, straddling him. Arthur did not make any attempt to change the position. It would seem that it fascinated him. He kissed the side of her face as he guided himself inside of her, letting her slide down his girth. She moaned. Soon, they were moving in rhythm. His hands caressed her buttocks to keep her in motion. Her hair fell all around them, and her hands were all over him, clenching and squeezing at each satisfaction. Soon, they both hit their climax and the same way their passion had driven them to ravish each other, so did sleep come. And they slept, tangled in each other's arms.
Chapter Twenty-Six
He awoke to a mass of golden hair, covering most of his face. The golden hair was long enough to stop right beside his arm. And the owner had her arms wrapped around his waist. He looked up, out the window. The day had not broken yet. But he was sure it wouldn't take time before it did. Katherine stirred in his arms. He held her tighter, wishing for her not to awake just yet. He loved the feel of her body against his own. He loved that he woke up to her in his arms. He wanted this, and he wanted it always.
He ran his fingers through her hair. Her hair was long, just as he had suspected. And now, he had it all around him. He laughed at himself. It was his own wish that he saw her hair in all its glory. It was beautiful, and he wished she would never wear it up again.
He sighed as he stared at the lightening sky. He would have to wake her soon, for she should not be caught leaving his bed chamber in the early hours of the day. It would be a scandal. He wished however, that they both had nothing to fear. That they were both free to live as they pleased.
Katherine rose then, just as he kissed her temple. Her eyes fluttered, and she rose, untangling herself from him. She looked out the window and sighed in relief when all she saw was blackness. He smiled as he watched her. She turned to him then. A crooked smile graced her lips.
"Good Morning, My Lord."
"Your hair is magnificent," he said. He was staring at it; it stopped right before her bottom. She looked beautiful, sitting upright in that position and staring at him. He wanted her again not just to grace his bed, but to stand by him. He wanted anyone who cared to listen to know that she was his.
His smile died a little. Her period of mourning was almost over. He wondered what would happen then. Would she leave Bowmount Hall? Would she want a suitor?
His head reeled at that. The thought of another gentleman, claiming her as his wife. He was repulsed by the mere thought of it. He stared at her. She moved close to him and held him again. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She laughed then and muttered something inaudible. He didn't hear her, and he didn't want to. Not when he was basking in the feeling that came with her being so close to him.
He loved her laughter, her smile. He loved the way she looked at him, the way she listened to him. He loved that she was passionate, that she was willing to put the needs of others before hers. Oftentimes, she hid her sadness, so she did not have to appear weak in front of anyone. He loved that she showed great strength. He loved her, wholly and completely.
His eyes widened at the realization. He had fallen in love with Katherine. He pulled his fingers through his hair. How could that be? How could it be that he was? After Mary had broken his heart, he had sworn never to let anyone wield such power over him again. He had been betrothed to Mary and had eventually fallen for her. But she had ultimately betrayed him. How could he trust his heart with someone again?
And now, Katherine? What if Katherine did not feel the same way? What if she wanted a new life, away from Bowmount Hall? Whereas Bowmount Hall was now his home. So many what ifs flooded his mind. Now he wanted nothing but to be left alone, to hide away from this new feeling, for it came with an uncertain future. And he did not want to hope too much, just like he had with Mary.
"Perhaps it would be best if you left, Katherine. Before the day breaks."
Katherine nodded. "Most certainly."
He sat stiffly as she rose. He watched her get dressed. When she was fully dressed, she walked out the room with a wave thrown his way. He clenched his teeth and bowed his head. He wondered what he had gotten himself into. And most importantly, what would he do about it?
* * *
The lady before him looked pale. She seemed like she had only recovered from an illness. There was a young girl beside her, she was about eight years old. Arthur looked from the woman to the girl. The girl looked a lot like her mother. With eyes and hair so dark, she was just like her mother. Her tilted chin showed her defiance and she reminded him of Lady Victoria. Arthur smiled.
He nodded to them. "What brings you here...My Lady?"
The lady nodded weakly. "I am Lady Marianne Burke of Dorchester. I've searched for a barrister here in Somerset for years and have come to none. And due to my condition, I have been unable to travel beyond here."
Arthur nodded at the lady and listened as she told her story. She was a widow who had lost her husband while on her sick bed as well. The barony was immediately transferred to her husband's brother, as it should be. But the small inheritance left for her daughter had been tampered with, as well as the money for her upkeep.
Her brother-in-law was cruel and would go to any length to make her miserable. The lady was scared that if she died, her daughter would get nothing. She wanted to get control of her daughter's inheritance as she was her legal guardian and was still alive. She had visited the family solicitor, but he had said that her brother-in-law was in possession of it all. Her husband had named him legal guardian as she had been too ill, while his own death neared.
"The solicitor said I'd need to contest in court for this. And for that we'd need a barrister."
Arthur nodded; having heard all that Lady Dorchester had to say. He laid down how he could help. "We would have to find solid
evidence that he is indeed spending out of her inheritance and has no intention of giving it up. If this can be proven, then I will accept the case and represent you in court. However, if not, then I am sorry, but I cannot. Also, My Lady, you would have to get better before appearing in court because you can only become legal guardian of your child when the court is certain of your health. If you need to be away to recover, then do so. Recover fully and then, we shall head to court."
"Thank you." The lady inclined her head. She stared at her daughter sadly and Arthur felt for her. She must have been going through a lot. And he wanted to help in even the littlest way that he could.
"Lady Dorchester, perhaps it would be best if you moved away from here, and return when you're well enough. For yourself and your child, My Lady."