Chapter 34 Katherine—The Afterglow
KATHERINE—THE AFTERGLOW
After a long bath in my husband’s chambers, I sit at the vanity in my wifely mistress room.
My cheeks redden. I think about Jahleel’s hands, about my waist, and the kisses down my back. That man and my feet—that’s a different kind of wonderful.
A knock on my door makes my heart race, but it’s the main entry, not the connecting door to Jahleel’s suite.
“Come in?”
Scarlett and Georgina come inside.
Georgina has her arms folded. Scarlett has hers behind her back. Their frowning faces look serious.
“What has happened?”
“Nothing in particular.” Scarlett puts my crushed bonnet on my vanity. “The maids and I had to do a little tidying up where Mr. Thom’s surgery will be performed.”
“I had to help her boil tools.” Georgina shakes her head at me.
“Well, I’m sorry. I think we might’ve …” I stop rambling and look at my sisters. Something else is wrong. “Talk, ladies.”
“We came to ask why the duke has gone to dinner with Lord Livingston. Our husbands will meet up with the two later at White’s.”
“They are all friends,” I say with as strong of a voice as possible.
“Why couldn’t they all go to dinner together?” Georgina says. She sounds nervous.
“I believe Livingston has something urgent to speak with the duke about.” This was something they planned before Jahleel and I reunited. “Why are we looking for problems, ladies?”
Georgina takes one of my discarded gloves from her pocket and puts it next to the bonnet. “The maids found one in the secret room, but not its mate.”
“I … Georgie. I have a mate.”
She glares at me. “With half of London in the parlor, the duke told everyone he was looking for one for each of you.”
Scarlett puts my hairpins and my ribbon on the table. “I guess all the teas worked.”
“We worked, ladies. Jahleel and I are in one accord. You are married. You should be able to figure out what I’m saying.”
“Yes,” Georgina says, pointing at Scarlett. “Yes, we are. Are you married, divorced, widowed, or all three?”
“I’m still married. We love … I love Jahleel.”
Scarlett scowls. “So you ran out into the garden, and he screamed that you were his wife. You renewed your vows the Cossack way? I didn’t hear anything.”
There weren’t screams from Jasha. Me. I’m noisy, but I think that little room contains sounds.
Good thinking, my love. Yet as we lay, I didn’t think of the price I had to pay—telling Lydia, the princess, and all the town gossips that the ball to find mates is canceled. “We’ll sort everything out later.”
My sisters don’t look happy, but I’m done looking for problems. “Did Lydia and Princess Elizaveta enjoy their afternoon with Livingston?”
“Yes, but Lydia seems very tired.” Scarlett glances down at her crossed hands. “I started her on the tea and herbs, minus the thickening ones.”
And just like that, my world shatters a second time.
I leap up, pull on my robe, and run. Getting to Lydia’s door, I knock but push inside. My child’s in bed. It’s barely sunset.
Her eyes open. “I hurt. I didn’t do something right, Katherine. I had my stockings on.”
I scoop her up in my lap. “No, baby, you did everything right. And you’ll get better. Mama won’t leave you.”
“The earl was funny. Maybe I laughed too much. He kept asking questions about what I expect from a father. I just got one. I don’t know.”
Her arms go about my neck. “Where’s Papen’ka? I want my Papa Duke. Both of you can make me feel better.”
I kiss Lydia’s warm forehead. “It’s going to be alright. And your papa will be back soon.”
The princess comes into the room. She’s out of her finery and in a comfortable thick robe. She settles into the rocking chair.
The look on her face feels so familiar. “I’ll have my maid make us tea. Good chamomile. It’s soothing. It helps, Katherine.”
Seems we’ll be each other’s company as we keep this watch over this angel tonight.