“He did,” she said, running her fingers over the embroidery on the tablecloth. “He spends less and less time there, and more and more with his friends.”
“So you really don’t know where he is?”
“No, I don’t. And he is a grown man, as I am a grown woman. He makes his own choices.”
“I sincerely hope they are intelligent ones.”
She gave him a sideways look as she reached for a tiny sweetmeat. “I’m sure they are. To him.”
“Kitty.” He gazed at her, keeping his expression and his voice calm. “Where do youthinkhe is?”
A pair of worried eyes met his. “I think he may be in Brussels.”
Max blinked. “Good God. What the hell is he doing there?”
She wiped her fingers carefully in the napkin. “Well, there was thiswoman…”
Max rolled his eyes, then lifted a hand. “Enough. I fully comprehend the situation.”
“Good, because I don’t.” She glanced at him. “But Richard is Richard, and he’s my twin. So as long as he’s healthy, I shall not worry.”
Curious, Max pursued that statement. “Is it true what they say about twins?”
She smiled. “You mean about us being able to sense the other’s feelings or something?”
“Yes. Things like that.”
She thought for a moment. “I believe it is. I do know that if Richard is in trouble, or injured, I get an odd feeling.” Absently, her hand went to her ribcage, just below her bodice. He broke his leg when we were about eleven or so. I knew instantly, even though I was in the Ridlington library and he was several miles away.”
“Fascinating.”
“Well, I suppose so. But then again, he knows if I’m in any kind of pain as well. I’ve never broken anything, thank goodness, but…he might have picked up on my emotional outburst this morning.” She sighed. “For which I shall apologize once more.”
Max narrowed his eyes. “I did promise to do something awful if you apologized again, Kitty.”
She looked at him from tired eyes. “And if you wish to do so, then you must, of course.” Up went that Ridlington chin. “I am your mistress still, Max. Regardless of this momentous day, you are still my Master if you so desire.”
He rose and held out his hand. “I do desire, Kitty. I desire you. As my mistress, in my bed, naked and awaiting my pleasure. And yours.”
She rose and moved around the table to take his offered hand. “Then by all means let us retire, Master.”
Together, they walked upstairs to their rooms, separating at their doors without a word.
Max knew what she was expecting. That he would take her again, perhaps spank or tease her to her heights and then fuck her, the way he had done last night.
What she didn’t realize was that he was a Master who deplored the predictable.
So when she tapped on his door, he summoned her to enter. And her eyes widened.
He was in bed, the candles low, the room warm and the other side of the quilts turned down.
She blinked. “Max?”
He patted the bed. “Come, Kitty. It has been a day beyond belief for both of us. I am tired, and find my desire for you burns still, but my body needs rest at this moment.”
She hesitated at the end of the bed, as if unsure of what to do.
“Kitty, come.” He motioned again. “Remove your robe and come here beside me.”
