Katherine sat in the morning room alone. Before her was an untouched pot of tea and an assortment of cakes. She stared at the little flowery design on the side of the teapot and thought about what had transpired between her and Lord Leighton last night. Actually, even this morning if she were honest about their interlude. It had been quite vigorous and lengthy and very much enlightening. She grinned. How different she felt now that she’d slept with a man. Wiser in her wisdom, certainly wiser as to what she’d been missing all these years. Silly dolt.

She kicked her legs out from beneath her and poured herself a cup. Limiting her milk so the tea wasn’t too cold, she took a small sip, relaxing back in her chair. When they’d parted this morning, a quick chaste kiss in the corridor there had been no mention of any more nights. Would he stick to their agreement of only one night together? They seemed to get along very well in private, and it would be a shame to stop it since it really had only just begun.

“Oh, here you are, my dear. I’ve been looking all over for you.” Katherine smiled as Cecilia bustled into the room, her morning gown of white embroidered cotton making her look like a summer’s dream. Marriage seemed to suit her friend very well, and if the glow on her cheeks was any indication, she got along quite well with Lord Aaron in private too.

“I’m just having a cup of tea, before I’m to head outdoors to join in the game of croquet you have set up outside. Do you care to join me?”

“I’d love to. After all the running about this morning I’m in need of substance.” Cecilia sat, her golden locks were pulled up high on her head, and yet a few wisps framed her pretty face.

“You do look like you’ve been busy. Can I help you with anything?” Katherine asked, sitting back in her chair and taking another sip.

Cecilia busied herself pouring a cup of tea and picking up a small biscuit. “No, everything is under control, but I would like to know what happened last evening with Lord Leighton.”

Katherine coughed, choking on her tea. “I’m sorry. What?” How did she know? When she’d snuck into his room she was very discreet and had made sure the last of the guests had gone to their rooms before she scuttled down the passage way to his suite.

Cecilia raised a knowing brow. “He’s outside partaking in the games and seems quite jovial this morning. In fact, the poor fellow keeps looking back at the house as if he’s expecting someone and it made me wonder. Especially when everyone who’s here for the fortnight is outside on the lawns. All but one.”

Pleasure ran through her veins. Was Hamish looking for her? Waiting for her? “These cakes are delicious, Cecilia. You must give my regards to your cook when you see her next.”

Cecilia wagged her finger, grinning. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re going to tell me Kat what you’ve done under this roof, if only so I can be there for you. Support you in your choice.”

Katherine stood and walked to the window to look out onto the back grounds. Sure enough, in buckskin breeches and a day coat of bottle green stood Lord Leighton, deep in conversation with his friend Lord Bridgman. The game made him take a couple of steps, and it was only then that Katherine was reminded of his lean form, his strong arms and very darling bottom.

She turned and faced her oldest friend. “I slept with Lord Leighton and worse,” she said pausing. “I want to do it again.”

Cecilia’s eyes went wide, and she placed her tea cup down. “Come and sit. This we need to discuss at length.”

Katherine did as she was asked, folding her hands in her lap as she waited for Cecilia to either condone or condemn her. She hoped it would the former.

“I did not think that Lord Leighton wished to have such intimate relations with you. What changed his mind?” Cecilia asked, her gaze trained on her with unwavering focus and concern.

She shrugged. “I suppose it has something to do with the fact that whenever we’re together the feelings, the desire that we both feel overrides what our decisions should be. I will never marry, at my age it’s too late for me, and I know I’m also not the kind of woman that Lord Leighton has normally chased. Not that he chased me, but I do not fit his ideal mould.” Tears pricked her eyes, and she sniffed, unsure where all this overwhelming emotion was coming from. Did all woman cry after a night of bliss? Surely not. “We parted on good terms, but no mention was made on continuing our liaison. And so, it seems that perhaps he has held up to his end of the bargain by giving me the one thing that I wished and that is that. But I hope it’s not the case. I like him,” she stated. It was the truth after all. “I like him a lot.”

“Oh, Katherine,” Cecilia said, coming to sit beside her. “Do not despair, not yet at least. Today is a new day, and such liaisons between two unmarried people is highly scandalous, so he will not be forward in his regard with you, not in public. You may find today when you do speak to him, that he feels the same way and wishes a courtship with you. I can have Hunter have a word with him if you like. Remind Lord Leighton of his honor as a gentleman to not dally with unmarried women only to kick them aside when he’s had his fill.”

Katherine shook her head, hating even the thought of others telling Lord Leighton what he ought to do simply because of what they’d done. After all, it was her idea to have him sleep with her. “Please don’t. I’m sure no matter what transpires today, Lord Leighton and myself will remain friends. I was the one who instigated all of this in the first place, you cannot have someone chastise him simply because I teased him until he did as I wished.” What a conundrum she was in. And one of her own making.

“Let us join the others outside. I’m merely being foolish hiding away indoors.” Katherine stood. “Shall we?”

Cecilia expelled a resigned sigh but stood. “Very well, but please confide in me if anything troubles you. I want you to be happy above anything else.”

Katherine hugged Cecilia to her as they walked out onto the terrace and made their way down the stairs and onto the large expanse of lawn. “I will come to you should anything upsetting occur, but until then, please don’t fret over me. I’m older than you remember. I’m perfectly well and capable of handling my life.”

“I know you are.”

Darcy waved and came over to join them, and for a moment the three simply stood and watched some of the guests play croquet. The players’ laughter during the game brought a smile to Katherine’s lips and she found herself forgetting her troubles over what to do with Hamish and simply enjoyed the house party.

Lord Leighton took a shot and the small white ball went through the hoop, giving him the lead. He whooped, laughing and smiling at his good fortune. She sighed at how good looking he was, especially compared to her. She wasn’t foolish enough that she believed herself a great beauty, not when Lady Savile walked up to Hamish, placing her hand on his arm as they laughed about something going on in the game.

“It is harmless, Kat. Lady Savile is simply flirtatious by nature. She’s not interested in Lord Leighton. I promise you that.”

Katherine looked back toward the pair, and caught Hamish watching her, leaning casually against his croquet stick, his dark hooded eyes raking over her in a way that her skin prickled in heat.

“And from that look,” Darcy said, chuckling a little. “He’s not interested in Lady Savile either, but in fact, another woman altogether.”

Her stomach twisted in knots and she smiled a little.

The game ended and as Hamish started in her direction, Darcy and Cecilia joined their husbands who were seated at an outdoor table, fully engaged in what looked to be a very loud and engaging debate over Tattersalls’ upcoming sale.

“Are you not going to congratulate me, Miss Martin? I won.”

Katherine raised her brow, nerves fluttering in her belly knowing this was the first time they’d spoken since last night. A night where he’d shown her a great many things a woman and man could do, that even now made her ache. Would he be willing to continue their liaison? Could she trust that what she suspected of him, his liking of her, and his need were real, and not just because she’d been desperate and begged him to make love to her?

“Congratulations,” she said, “you must be very proud.” Katherine smiled, ignoring the fact that all she wanted to do right now was fling herself into his arms and kiss him.

He checked the whereabouts of the other guests before he said, “Is that all I’m to receive from you? Nothing else you’re willing to give to the winner?”

“I do not understand your meaning, my lord,” she said, trying not to look at his full lips that again reminded her of where they been last night on her person, and the pleasure they’d wrought. She failed utterly. His hair was tied back, but in the outdoors little wisps floated about his face. Last night she’d clasped his hair, holding him as she’d kissed him to distraction. She wanted to see him in such a way again.

“Tell me, Miss Martin, what do you think would be a fitting prize for a gentleman such as myself. A bottle of the finest whisky? A few sovereigns to line my pocket.” He leaned toward her. “A kiss from the woman who keeps me up all night for want of her?”

She shivered, knowing that if they were to kiss, the embrace would lead to so much more. The duke of Athelby and the Marquess called out to Hamish to come and join their new croquet game. Hamish waved to them over his shoulder, yelling out, “Just a minute.”

“You want to kiss me again, my lord. I thought after last night our agreement has been completed and you’re free from any obligation to me.” Her stomach roiled at voicing her fears, that what she actually said was true. Would he agree, turn from her and move on to his next lover? Someone more positioned in Society, more to his tastes and desires.

“I want to do a lot more than kiss you, Kat. I know our interlude was only meant to be one night, but it’s not enough. Not enough for me and I hope for you too.” He walked them along the lawn, giving the illusion that they were simply strolling and enjoying the day. “There is a hot spring here on the Marquess’s lands. I will come to you tonight, and we shall go there.”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Hamish, but it isn’t very warm. We shall freeze.”

He chuckled, his free hand coming to rest atop hers that sat on his arm. “I’ll keep you warm,” and with those words he threw her a devilish grin and joined the duke and marquess.

Katherine could do little but stare after him. He wasn’t finished with her. He wanted to spend more time with her, just as she’d hoped.

She’d never been desired by a man before, and it was a mix of trepidation and exhilaration that Lord Leighton did. Katherine held no illusions that this liaison would go anywhere, but she’d asked to know what life would be like with a man, and he was going to show her, and no matter the risks she would jump into the void and revel in it.