Her question surprised him, though it shouldn’t have. She was proving to be a challenge in bed and out. “I have found myself drawn to you with increasing strength over the last few weeks. I feel a connection with you I wished to explore further. You have not shrunk in distaste from my baser side when it has appeared. You are present in mind as well as in body when we are together. And, you are beautiful.” His lips tipped up in a smile.
She blushed and focused on her plate.
“You are uncomfortable with the compliment. Why? Do you not see your own beauty?”
“I have never been accused of being a beauty. I have been called many things, but never beautiful. Thank you.” She laid her fork down and started to rise.
He reached across the table and stayed her with a hand on hers. Their eyes met. “Kat, you are beautiful in both a physical and intellectual sense.”
Her gaze dropped to their joined hands.
“Who has led you to believe differently? Your husband?” He worked to keep his voice calm, even.
“My dead husband was always disappointed by me. I was never enough, in any capacity. It took me a few years to figure out why, but by then I suppose the damage was done.” A tear slipped down her face as pain etched itself across her features.
Heath rose and pulled her up, gathering her to him.
Katherine trembled in his arms as she realized she must tell him the truth. She owed this kind man the full truth, even if it exposed her identity. He had a right to make a choice to continue this arrangement or not.
“Sir, I must tell you something.” Her words came out muffled against his chest.
“Go ahead. You can tell me anything.”
She pushed back from him. Choosing to deny herself the comfort of his arms. “My late husband had—certain proclivities.” She began pacing.
“All men have proclivities, did he prefer heavier women? Boys? Men? Did he like to be whipped?” He looked pained, even as he tried to make it easier for her.
“Men. He preferred men. He often spent days lost in the stews fucking anything that would hold still and was male.”
“It is not uncommon—” He tried to placate her, but she cut him off.
“He had syphilis. He contracted it before we married and it killed him in the end. I am clean though….” She drew a ragged breath. “We never consummated the marriage since he couldn’t muster the interest in me physically.” It felt as though she had ripped her soul out and laid it bare before this man.
Sir vibrated with rage. His jaw ticked uncontrolled, even as he held himself in check. Panic flared. She was a fool. How could she have let the intimacy of sex make her believe she could expose herself like this to him? They had a physical connection, nothing more. But it was too late to call the words back.
“If he were not already dead I would kill him for what he has done to you. How he has made you suffer. I can only thank God he never touched you.” His words came out harsh, the leash on his anger still tenuous.
Stunning. She couldn’t comprehend that his anger was not aimed at her, but on her behalf. “I’m so sorry I did not tell you sooner. I knew I was not infected, but still you had a right to know in light of our agreement.”
He crossed the room to where she had stopped and hauled her into his arms. His lips crashed down on hers and his tongue demanded entrance. He swept inside and ravaged her mouth until she could not speak. Withdrawing, he slowed his breathing and held her chin forcing her to look into his eyes. “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me your truth. I am moved you cared enough to tell me, even knowing I was not at risk.” His hands reached up and loosened the lacings of her mask.
“What are you doing?” Horror bloomed as she swatted at his hands. “No!”
“Katherine, I know who you are. The mask is pointless.” He pulled it from her face.
Fear squeezed her heart. She should never have trusted this false sense of security. She should never have trusted him. He would reject the mousy Lady Drummond like all the others. How could he want her now, when he knew who she was? “I knew I should never have told you. Blast it!” She pulled away from him and hid her face.
“Kat, I knew before you told me about your husband. I figured it out after yesterday’s walk in the park together.”
His words sank in and she felt her knees go weak. Before she could crumple, he was there catching her again. She looked up into the grey eyes of the Earl of Heathington. “How did I not know?”
“I think we each see what we expect to see, not always the reality.” A beatific smile lit up his face before he pulled his own mask away.
“And you came anyway?” She couldn’t hide the wonder in her voice as she reached up and traced his brow and then down to his jaw.
“Of course I came. I have found a woman who not only enjoys plants as much as I do, but she dances the waltz divinely, and she is a match for me in the bedroom.”
“How did you guess? I never thought anyone would figure it out.” She was still baffled by the truth.
“I found myself imagining Lady Drummond naked in my arms and couldn’t explain why. I thought I was so desperate with lust for Kat, you, that I was imagining things. But then yesterday, as you scampered off, the pieces fell into place, and I realized you were her. Finding you here today on the bed confirmed what I already knew.” He nibbled her lips and then pressed the kiss again. At some point he carried her to the bed and set her down. “Now, I believe the plan was to have dessert following breakfast.”
They spent the day periodically fucking, with short intermissions for naps, conversation, and food.
In the dark of night Kat heard Heath rise from the bed. She levered herself up onto an elbow. “What time is it?”
He came around the bed and kissed her on the nose. “It is the middle of the night. Go back to sleep until you feel rested enough to go home. I fear I have worn you out.”
She chuckled. “I dare say you have, but must you go?”
“I must. If I don’t leave now I may never let you get dressed again.”
“I don’t recall asking for my clothes.” She laid back down and pulled the covers up.
He groaned. “You are a temptress. But I will do the honorable thing and give you time to rest. I will see you in a few days and then there is the botanical society in a few weeks with dinner after.”
She sat up again. “You wish to meet in public?” What could he be thinking?
“Yes. I know we will both attend, why not sit together? We speak often enough at other social events.” His gaze held hers, warm, steady, and confident.
“You know what they will begin to say about you.” She looked down at her lap.
“The gossips wouldn’t dare. And if they do, it will only last until the next big scandal.” He tipped her chin up to look at him and smiled. “Now, I will send around the dinner invitation later today. As for the meeting, I will pick you up at eleven.”
“Oh, no I must run some errands that morning. Why don’t I just meet you at the hall?”
He looked doubtful but acquiesced. “Very well. I will meet there. Sleep well, my sweet, until we can meet again.”
He kissed her once more before disappearing through his connecting door.
***
The morning of the Botanical Society meeting Katherine rose early, unable to sleep. She was eager to see Heath again. It had been a few days since they last met at The Market, and though he had stopped by her home briefly, they had not spent any length of time together. The last few weeks with him had been full of wonder and pleasure. They were growing closer with every meeting.
Despite her anticipation of the day ahead, she could not help but wonder about their coming evening. During his visit to her home, he had been so gentle and caring in a nurturing way. Different than the demanding lover she knew from The Market. She liked this new side of him, but not as much as she liked his serious, domineering side. It was a difficult thing to admit to herself. Where did the real man lie, between the
two? The man she had yet to meet. Resolute in the banishment of such dangerous questions, she focused on her coming day to be spent listening to a lecture at the Botanical society.
A strange desire to show herself to best advantage took hold leaving her rushing to arrive on time. As she alighted from the carriage at the Society’s hall, she glanced around hoping to find Heath waiting. He was nowhere to be seen. With a little deflated sigh, she progressed inside. At the door of the lecture hall she scanned the half-full room of men and women.
Focused on finding the man she sought, she was startled by the smooth, dark voice sliding over her right shoulder.
“Are you looking for someone in particular, Lady Drummond?”
With a small exhalation she turned and found Heath looking at her as though she were a sugared almond to be popped in his mouth.
“We never said where we’d meet to hear the lecture.” Heat crept up her cheeks as her voice trailed off under his assessing gaze.
“We did not. I’d hoped to arrive before you and escort you inside. But it seems you have arrived on time, rather unusual for most ladies of my acquaintance. I should have known better with you.”
The warmth of his smile made Katherine’s knees wobble as though they would give out right there. She wavered, leaned in to his warmth, but managed to recover herself before further embarrassment ensued. The arc of awareness between them was intense. Trying to ignore the blood now pounding through her veins, Katherine picked up the thread of the conversation.
“Oh well, I am sorry I missed you, but we’re here now. Shall we go in? I am very much looking forward to the discussion on plant classifications by Lord Pemberly.” She tried a bright smile to cover her own awkwardness.
Lord Heathington held out his arm, “Of course. Do you prefer the front or the back of the seating?”
“Oh, without a doubt, the front is best. I don’t want to miss anything.” Her eagerness slipped past her caution and caused a smile to grace his lips. She faced forward so she wouldn’t trip while staring at the mesmerizing man she was fortunate to be with. She couldn’t fathom how she’d gotten so lucky. The question remained of how long such providence might hold.
“Did you manage to accomplish all of your errands this morning?”
“My errands?” Her mind drew a blank.
“Yes, you would not let me bring you because you had errands to run.” His eyebrow quirked up.
“Yes. Those errands. I um—managed those quite nicely. Very busy morning.” She smiled, hoping he did not notice her fib. She needed to hold him off. He was somehow invading her entire world, not just the bedroom.
Soon the lecture started, and the debate became quite heated. Those staunch botanists who seemed unable to march forward with the times, with the rest of Europe, were still clinging to the Linnaean system of classification. Many of the botanists in the room were adamant in defending the Sexual system, which Lord Pemberly was arguing against. A handful of the others, including Katherine and Heath, were firm in the opinion it was time to move past the sex of the plant and follow the Natural system of classification as first created by Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu. The problem was, naturalists couldn’t agree on all of the definitions and principles.
As the heated debate closed, they rose to exit the hall. Still discussing the division of the naturalists, they arrived on the street.
“Perhaps we should get a cup of tea? It is a gorgeous afternoon, and we could stroll down the way to a little tea shop if you would like,” he suggested as he waved his arm to his left indicating the direction in a general sense.
“That would be lovely.” She agreed as they turned to stroll.
Upon arriving at the tea shop, Heath ensured they had a seat in the back so Kat wouldn’t feel too exposed. They ordered their tea and biscuits, and then resumed their discussion.
“I simply don’t understand why they cannot progress beyond the Sexual system of classification. In truth the number of stamens and pistils should not matter in the classification of a flowering plant,” she said, her voice growing rough and firm as her passion took hold.
Heath perceived a hint of the Kat he recognized from The Market under the false shell of Lady Drummond. His cock stirred to life. Transfixed by the flash in her brown eyes, he absorbed her passion, listening as she railed against the strictures and mores of Victorian England. Her rant veered away from botany and into deeper, more personal territory.
“Truly, it is wrong that I’m painted with the same brush as the man I was married to. Why can I not be seen and judged as an individual rather than the property of a man?” Her eyes opened wide and her hand flew to cover her mouth as it dawned on her what she had said publicly in mixed company. Her face flushed a delicate shade of rose pink as the girl delivered the tea and biscuits.
Without batting an eye, Heath proceeded to serve her and give her a moment to collect herself. “One lump or two?” He clenched a sugar cube with the serving tongs over her cup.
“One, please. Lord Heathington, I must apologize for my outburst.”
“No. Not if that is how you feel. I don’t disagree with you in the slightest. I believe a woman should be allowed the same rights and freedoms as a man.” He held her gaze with his as she took the tea cup from him. There was a brief moment of connection via porcelain that held them both in thrall. Then a crash of dishes sounded nearby breaking the spell.
They both chuckled and sipped the hot brew.
He pitched his voice below the hum of the crowd. “How are you faring these last few days?”
“As if we haven’t visited. I am quite well, if a trifle tense.” The pink stain returned to her cheeks.
“I am glad you are well. I am looking forward to this evening. I want to see you spread across a bed for me again.”
Her pink tongue peeked out past her lips to swipe across them, coating them with a short-lived gloss. “Oh. My. That sounds promising.”
His cock was now at full attention as her husky, desire laden voice rasped across his raw senses. He wanted to kiss her and promise her an eternity of pleasure. Wanted to beat his chest and yell. She was his woman. He needed to claim her, mark her as his. Not in the societal way of women as chattel, but in the most basic elemental way as a man and a woman.
She was still staring down at her tea cup as he managed to tame the emotions rolling through him. “It is a promise of pleasure to come.”
“I am not sure I can wait.” Her breath came in shallow gasps, proving she was as affected as him.
He leaned close, to whisper in her ear. “Before dinner tonight I want you to touch yourself, give yourself the pleasure you need. It will ease your tension until I can take proper care of you. Can you do that, Kat?”
Her wide eyes were glazed with need. “I can, but I will be wishing it were you.”
Something inside unfurled and came alive with those words. He needed this woman to be a permanent part of his life. Settling back in his chair, he struggled to rein in his desire and regulate his voice. “I will see you at dinner tonight.”
“Of course.” She paused, disoriented by the change in conversation. “I’m looking forward to meeting your ward, and then there is the rest of the evening.” Her smile was sultry and filled with desire.
Chapter Six
Katherine sat in the bathtub soaking and reflecting on her afternoon with Heath. He was like a rose. Every time you plucked a petal there was another layer to discover. Today she had seen that mix of Sir and the urbane Lord Heathington. She remembered the charged conversation over tea and her need resurged. Her nipples puckered just above the water line as a dull ache burned between her thighs. Her hands seemed to move without a conscious decision on her part. Images of her time with Heath flashed through her mind. She cupped her breasts, squeezing her nipples. Sensation shot from there to her mons and the pressure built. One hand slithered down below the water line to cover the ache. She pressed her hand against the pulsing and rubbed. More. She needed Heath. Needed to be fille
d by him.
She moaned and pinched her nipple as a digit slipped between the lips of her pussy. The pad of her finger came in contact with her clit, causing a jolt of pleasure to skitter through her body. She pressed more, dragging her finger over that point of pure pleasure again and again. Her own moisture seeped out and helped slick her way. Moving her hand to the other breast, she pinched and rolled that nipple and her body warmed with need.
A low moan escaped her as she pictured Heath driving his cock into her from behind. She loved his rough and ready ways, not always wanting a gentle lover. Writhing against her hand, she dipped two fingers into her entrance and gathered more cream to lubricate her clit. Her fingers stroked languidly over the swollen nub. Then her need peaked and as she pinched her nipple hard, she raked her fingers over her clit again and again until she felt wave after wave of warm pleasure roll over her and through her.
As Heath had promised, it took the edge off her immediate need. What he hadn’t told her was that it would heighten her desire to feel him buried in her, filling her.
Dinner was going to be interminable.
She rose and let the cooled water sluice down her body. Stepping out, she dried herself and set about dressing for the evening’s entertainment. This was the first time Heath was introducing her to friends and family. It was another step toward building a public relationship. But, did she really know this complicated man who reveled in domination, yet seemed entranced by her intelligence and desire to learn?
A few hours later she stood on his doorstep, her knees knocking. The door opened and a youngish butler bowed and welcomed her. He took her cloak and escorted her into the front parlor.
Heath strode across the room and greeted her warmly. “Katherine. It is excellent to see you again. Please come and meet my family.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and urged her to where a man and two ladies stood talking.
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