Page 4 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess (Wallflower Season #3)
Chapter Three
K ate surveyed the room. Lady Catherine had prepared a fabulous masquerade ball for her guests.
The orchestra played a lively tune and the masked dancers whirled by in a blur of bright silks.
Julia’s Aunt Mary, the older spinster aunt of her mother, was their chaperone for the evening.
Aunt Mary had nodded off twenty minutes ago as Julia had predicted.
“I see that the Viscount of Marlborough is in attendance,” Kate said in a low voice.
At one time, she had been introduced to him by the Dowager Viscountess in hopes that he would prove to be a suitable marriage partner.
Although he had an unfortunate resemblance to a white rabbit, Kate enjoyed conversations with him as they discussed books and current events, which is why it came as quite a surprise that he had declared his intentions to marry Miss Penelope Goodhope.
“You mustn’t pay him any mind, Kate,” Julia said. “I am sure that in time, his conversations would have grown tedious. He strikes me as a man with few passions.”
Kate acknowledged the truth of Julia’s words, but still felt forlorn at her lack of partners.
There had already been three dances since the start of the ball at nine o’clock, yet no eligible gentlemen had even glanced her way.
She lowered her mask, an elaborate affair of feathers dyed a startling shade of blue to complement her ball gown.
She looked down at her dress. It was the latest fashion with a gathered bodice and ornate trim of blue against the ivory silk.
“Julia, I am much too nervous. This evening was a mistake. Perhaps it is better if I go home.” Kate stood and looked for an avenue to escape.
Julia grabbed her friend’s hand and tugged her back next to her.
She lowered her voice. “You have nothing to fear, Kate. I promise that a man’s touch is nothing to be afraid of and is quite pleasurable.
If you leave, you might never know the touch of a man.
I know you have declared to everyone that you plan to remain a spinster, but that does not mean you can’t enjoy one night of happiness. ”
“What if I am discovered? My family’s honor would be sullied forever. My brother will not be able to stand-” Kate’s voice rose with her distress.
“Shush. You are my best friend. I promise you that no one will discover you. Aunt Mary will sleep through until it is time for breakfast at which time you will have long since returned.” Julia glanced at her aunt who let out a small snore. She turned to Kate. “Come. It’s almost midnight.”
Her stomach fluttered as she followed Julia through the dancers and into the hallway. She glanced about to make sure no one had noticed their hurried exit from the dance.
Julia pulled open a door and they were in the east wing of the castle. “We are in the wing no longer in use except for guests. The rake shall meet you in the Lilac Room. It will be quite secret, so you need not be concerned.”
Kate felt the knot of fear start to loosen. “If you’re quite sure I won’t be discovered.”
“I promise. Now, hurry. It’s almost time.” Julia grabbed Kate’s hand and hurried her down the passageway. She stopped in front of a door and opened it. “Remember what I said about leaving by two. Don’t be late.”
Kate stepped inside the bedchamber. The door shut behind her. She whirled ready to run from the room, but then stopped. This was the chance she’d waited for. She’d read of romance, of course, so she knew the premise if not the practice. She could do this.
She settled herself on the chaise lounge at the end of the room.
She arranged herself so that her skirt lifted ever so slightly revealing a bit of her ankle.
As she did, she felt silly and shifted again.
How does one sit to show one’s figure off to an advantage?
She leaned forward. No. That was terribly uncomfortable, and she was sure it made her face appear sour.
In the end, she sat as she would normally with her ankles crossed and her hands in her lap.
Kate heard a hand on the doorknob and her heart fluttered in her chest. He is here!
The door opened, and a tall man with raven black hair that curled deliciously down across his brow and mask strode into the bedchamber. Kate leaped up. “Good evening.”
“Miss Avery, this is quite a surprise from a lady such as yourself.”
Kate closed her eyes. Her heart beat so loudly that she could scarcely hear his voice. She took a deep breath and moved slowly toward him.
“Your note was quite scandalous. Not something an honorable woman—” Whatever he was about to say was left unsaid as Kate stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him with all of the passion she had been containing for years.
The rake reached out and pulled her to him.
His hand entwined itself in her chestnut brown curls.
His lips responded to hers and drank in the sweetness of her lips.
He pulled back slightly and nipped gently at her bottom lip before pressing himself against her again.
Kate felt a stirring in her private region that she had never experienced before.
She felt a quickening in her bosom as his hands found her waist and traced the outline of her hips through her gown.
He pulled away from her. “We must stop before we go any further. You will be ruined if we see this plan through.”
“I don’t want to stop. I wish to experience a night of passion with you. Would you deny such a request?” Kate whispered. She tilted her head and exposed the soft, white curve of her neck and shoulders.
With a groan, the rake leaned down and traced the line of her collarbone with his lips, eliciting a shudder from Kate. She felt herself grow moist as his lips traced their way back up her neck to her lips before capturing her mouth with his.
When he pulled away once more, it was Kate that groaned in frustration. “Why must you deny me? Was this not the whole point of our meeting? I did not expect a rake such as yourself to be so reserved.”
“My Lady, do not underestimate what I am capable of. I can provide such pleasure of which you have only dreamed.” His voice was low and husky.
Kate, emboldened by his kisses, reached out and pulled the cravat from his neck. Then slowly, she unbuttoned each button on his linen shirt until his chest was bared to her smoldering gaze. She leaned forward and mirrored his early movements by kissing his collarbone.
The rake scooped her up and pressed his body against hers as his lips once more found Kate’s.
His tongue intertwined with hers and a moan escaped from deep within her.
His hands cupped her bosom, and she felt her nipples harden beneath his touch.
When he finally released her, Kate found she was breathless.
“I would have you continue, please, sir. I beg of you to deny me no longer,” Kate breathed.
The rake reached up and slowly pulled his mask from his eyes. Kate gasped; the air gone from her lungs. Andrew Fitzwilliam?!
“You scoundrel! How dare you—”
Andrew reached out and pulled her once more to him and pressed his hand over her mouth.
In a low growl, he said, “I received the note you sent to that bounder, Lord Radford, asking for a night of pleasure. You are lucky that it was I who received it rather than him. He would see you ruined in the street after taking your maidenhood and breaking your heart.”
Kate pulled away from him and glowered. “Don’t tell me what I do and do not want. I am not one of your mistresses who need to be treated as a mindless possession. I am perfectly capable of managing my own affairs. If I wish to pursue a night of pleasure, then it is my choice to do so.”
Andrew couldn’t help himself. He let out a low laugh. “You’re right. Your affairs are not my business. If you wish to have your reputation ruined, I shall step aside and not interfere.”
Kate felt fury rise in her and she spat, “You are nothing but a fraud pretending to be concerned about my reputation. I am quite capable of discerning what I desire, and I’ll not have the likes of you interfere.”
“Hah! You know nothing about me, and I am quite content to allow you to do as you wish. I was trying to be a gentleman and protect your honor, but I see you are stubborn and unreasonable. A wholly undesirable quality in a woman.” Andrew smirked, knowing that his words would spark the fire in Kate’s eyes.
He found himself quite enjoying sparring wits with her.
It was unfortunate that she was too obstinate for her own good.
“Perhaps you prefer your women to hold no opinion. It is certainly understandable as you might fear their ability to outwit you.” Kate reared up on her tiptoes in an attempt to meet his gaze. If only she were taller, she could look him directly in his eyes.
Andrew’s eyes glittered dangerously, and he towered over her. Kate felt a small quiver of anxiety that she had overstepped. One side of his mouth lifted in a grin displaying a dimple on one cheek. Kate resisted the urge to reach out and touch it.
“My women, as you call them, are rendered speechless not by my wit, but by my touch. Shall I demonstrate once again?” His grin took on a wolfish quality and his dimple deepened.
Kate’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t find words. Finally, she sputtered. “Bounder and a cad! You, sir, are a disgrace to gentlemen.”
“Obnoxious creature.” Andrew glared. “I cannot spend another moment in your presence. I am leaving.”
“Good! I find you quite obnoxious, too, and I am leaving first.” She met his glare with one of her own. “I pray I shall never have the misfortune of your company again.”