Chapter Twelve #2
Since it was the first Kate had heard of it, she was reeling too. But would she go? Let anyone try and stop me, she thought.
Aloud she said casually, ‘Oh, did I forget to mention it? I believe that whenever the Prince is in Brighton, he hosts many parties, so it’s really nothing out of the ordinary.’
‘Nothing out of… Kate, are you are losing your senses? Clearly the Earl possesses great charm, but I do not understand why he is singling you out for his attention!’
Kate shrugged. ‘He has his whims, I suppose.’
‘Well, as I said, perhaps you and I ought to meet tomorrow to talk further. You must be wary of his intentions towards you, because a man of his standing will never contemplate marrying you!’
‘I’m afraid I am busy tomorrow, as it happens. But it’s most interesting to hear of your concern for me.’
Elijah and Rosie had been watching the Earl ride off, but now Elijah was running around pretending to gallop. ‘That horse!’ he shouted. ‘Did you see his horse, mama? Papa, why don’t you have a horse like that?’
‘Because the Earl is one of the wealthiest men in the country and can get whatever he wants.’ Edward was gazing once more at Kate. ‘Isn’t that so, sister-in-law?’
Before Kate could muster a suitable retort, Rosie was dancing up to her and tugging her hand. ‘When I grow up, Aunt Kate, I think I shall marry an Earl. Do they all look like that one?’
‘A lot of them are rascals,’ said Edward. ‘But they lead very entertaining lives.’ He turned to his wife. ‘Monica, I believe it’s time to move on. You promised the children ices, remember?’
Monica’s gaze lingered on Kate. ‘Are you sure you won’t be at home tomorrow? Later in the afternoon, perhaps?’
‘I can’t promise I’ll be at home, no.’
‘A pity. I really need to speak with you. Goodbye for now, sister.’
‘Goodbye, Kate,’ said Edward. ‘It seems as if this sea air is really suiting you.’
Monica began to herd her family back towards the main beach but Kate remained motionless. So, her sister had dragged her family all this way to see her, as she’d threatened in her letter. Was it because she cared? Never.
She stood listening to the seabirds for a moment.
This section of the shore was deserted once more, and she could almost have believed that what had happened in that wooden cabin with the Earl was nothing but a dream or a fantasy, except that she could see the hoof-prints of his horse in the sand.
After she’d left the cabin, he must have set off to where he had left his horse then immediately ridden down here to amaze both her sister and herself with the improvised tale about the Prince’s ball tomorrow.
He had done it to help her, she guessed.
He must have realised who Monica and Edward were and decided to strike a blow for her against her impossible family.
But did he really mean to take her to such an illustrious event?
If he was doing it only out of kindness, then she would rather not go because she neither wanted nor needed his pity.
Her sister had loudly declared that Dan was not looking for a permanent relationship, and didn’t Kate know that already?
In fact, her spirits were low as she returned to where she had left her pony and gig.
On reaching Clematis Villa she didn’t say a word about the Earl, but she did tell Harriet about her sister’s arrival in Brighton, which caused Harriet much dismay until Kate reassured her that Monica and her family were here only for a short time.
Eventually Harriet set off to walk to Tilly and Joseph’s nearby cottage, because they had their two youngest grandchildren staying with them and Harriet loved to call in and help out.
So Kate, left on her own, filled the tin bath in the kitchen with water heated on the stove and methodically washed away the salt and sand from her skin and hair.
But all the time she was remembering the Earl’s kisses and his strong yet sensitive hands as he caressed her to oblivion.
What was she to do?
She felt an almost unbearable yearning to be in his arms again, to experience once more his lips and his fingers exploring forbidden places and bringing her body to life.
Bringing her heart to life, in truth. For she knew now that she had done the most foolish thing possible, and had fallen for a man who had warned her that his heart was quite closed to love.
At last, she towelled herself dry then got dressed, but it wasn’t long before Harriet returned and she burst in on her.
‘Kate! When I arrived just now, a groom was riding into the courtyard. He’s come from the Earl’s house with a letter for you and he’s waiting outside, for your answer!’
Kate opened it.
Miss Summerby, I meant what I said this afternoon. I would very much like to escort you to the Prince’s party at the Pavilion tomorrow evening. Please wear your emerald green dress because you look adorable in it.
‘The groom is still waiting,’ Harriet urged. ‘You’ll have to reply!’
‘Yes,’ Kate said to Harriet at last. She couldn’t help herself from feeling a little bubble of excitement. ‘Tell him that my answer is “yes”.’
Dan was in a furious mood as he rode home from Brighton beach. Her awful sister, and that brother-in-law who kept glancing lecherously at her—how had Kate put up with them for so long? No wonder she had seized the chance of living at Clematis Villa.
When he got home, he shut himself in his study.
He would never forget the image of Kate wandering along the beach searching for shells, utterly unaware of how exquisite she looked in her muslin frock and yellow-ribboned sun hat.
He realised that even the slightly halting way that she walked tore at his heart.
She was so free of vanity. So brave, and she was funny too; she had laughingly compared herself to a stranded fish.
But he hadn’t laughed, because she actually looked like some fairy creature who had cast a spell over him that he could not escape.
He hadn’t intended to go as far as he did in that disused cabin, but her response to his kiss had set his body aflame.
She had tasted of honey and warm spices, and afterwards everything that followed had been inevitable.
She had opened herself to his caresses like a flower opening to the sun, and he had been driven by the desire to give her fulfilment.
He would never forget, either, how afterwards her wide green eyes were a little bemused, as if she was overwhelmed by what had happened.
With her lips still swollen from his kisses and her cheeks slightly flushed, she was the picture of mingled innocence and trust—and he knew then that he must not betray that trust. His own pent-up need had been an agony, and the women he usually chose as his partners would have known exactly what to do.
But he didn’t want to alarm Kate with the power of his ardour.
He didn’t want her to feel that he had used her, in any way at all.
What did he want from her?
He knew one thing for certain. This afternoon he had stepped over the line he had drawn for himself, by letting his emotions become involved.
He had always been sure that when he married, he needed a woman who had been brought up in a household like his, where the boys were sent to boarding school as early as possible and the daughters often saw more of their governess than they did their mother.
His rank obliged him to pick a bride who was a skilled Society hostess capable of ruling a large household, and hopefully there would be sexual compatibility and even affection.
But romantic, flowery love? To him, the very notion of it had always seemed slightly foolish, and his disastrous engagement to Cecily had confirmed it.
Kate Summerby deserved something—someone—far better.
She deserved a good man who was devoted to her, not a man like him, who had become more and more cynical as he’d seen how often so-called love could deceive and destroy people.
He was glad, though, that he had silenced Kate’s sister and her revolting husband by mentioning the Prince’s party.
He had smiled inside at the way Kate’s eyebrows had lifted, as if to say you’re overdoing it rather, aren’t you, my lord?
But then she had joined in the game, no doubt as delighted as he was by the shock on her jealous sister’s face.
Eventually Dan roused himself to write to Kate confirming his invitation to tomorrow’s party, then he left his study and went to soothe poor Hamley, who was inspecting the salt water stains on his riding boots with acute dismay.
‘My lord,’ Hamley said sorrowfully. ‘Have you actually been paddling in the sea?’
Dan peered more closely at the offending footwear. ‘Ah, yes. I was on the beach and a wave must have caught me. My apologies, Hamley.’
‘I shall have to concoct my special boot polish in order to remove those marks, my lord.’
‘Of course. You’re a good man. I know you can do it. Incidentally, Hamley, I told you, didn’t I, that I’m going to the Prince’s party tomorrow night? I shall have to wear something special. Something that stands out.’
Hamley winced. ‘Should you not choose something a little more discreet for such a formal occasion, my lord?’
‘Why? The Prince would be shocked out of his wits if I turned up in black or grey. See that my red velvet coat is ready for tomorrow, will you?’
‘But you will wear a cravat, won’t you?’ Hamley spoke rather desperately now. ‘Not one of your coloured neckties, my lord, I implore you!’
‘Very well. But I’m wearing breeches and top boots, since I don’t intend to dance.’
‘The ladies will be disappointed. I’ve heard that they consider you an exceptionally desirable partner.’
Dan wondered if his valet realised that this utterance could be interpreted in a variety of ways, but he doubted it, since the man was a pillar of respectability. ‘The ladies will cope, Hamley,’ he said at last. ‘You’ll see to everything, won’t you?’