To her amazement, he blushed furiously. “Hecate, you…er…I don’t think…”
She chuckled. “My God, you’re embarrassed.”
He shook his head. “I’m about to tiptoe down the hallway to my own room. I hope to do so while avoiding unwanted attention, which will require some level of focus. You have just ripped that completely away. Now all I’ll be doing is thinking of you looking at my arse.”
“Don’t trip. There’s a tear in the carpet fourteen paces away from this door.”
He rolled his eyes, leaned over, kissed her hard and cautiously made his way from the bedchamber.
Hecate rolled onto her back and stretched languorously, ignoring the twinges and aches that she assumed were quite normal in a woman who had finally surrendered her virginity. Bub settled in beside her, curling himself into his preferred circle, and resting his head on his paws, watching his mistress as she yawned and stretched once again.
“Well, Bub. It’s done.” She turned to him, meeting his green-gold gaze. “It’s too late to worry over whether I’ve made a mistake or not. This time my heart was sure, and it led me, not my doubts or my worries.” She sighed. “I’ll tell you a secret, Bub. It waseverythingI hoped it would be.”
Bub signified his lack of interest by closing his eyes and going to sleep.
“I’ll take that as an endorsement,” she whispered, leaning over and dropping a kiss between his ears. His whiskers twitched, but other than that he didn’t move, obviously accepting the affectionate caress as nothing more than his due.
His presence was a comfort, and she was quite composed by the time Winnie arrived with a cup of tea. Within the hour Hecate was dressed and ready to head down for breakfast.
Lady Augusta, looking relaxed and cheerful, met her as they reached the top of the stairs. She stopped, tilted her head, and stared intensely at Hecate.
“Good morning, Augusta…is everything all right?”
The older woman’s face began to crease into a huge smile. “I think I should be asking you that.”
Hecate, despite her resolution to be quite normally herself this morning, blushed.
“I am so happy for you,” Augusta gave her a huge hug. “Anyone with eyes could see what was happening between you. And, for what it’s worth, I think Finn is just darling, and the perfect man for you.”
“I…er…” Hecate stuttered, trying to say something and failing dismally.
“Not another word, my dear. I do not judge or care for society’s strictures. I do care that the friends I have are happy. And I can see such happiness on your face this morning. You are glowing. However, I shall say no more, since I’m sure you’d prefer to keep your personal matters to yourself.” She hugged her once more. “Just know that I am here, for as long as you will allow me the honour, and I’m always happy to talk. Woman to woman.”
Rather overwhelmed, Hecate mumbled her thanks and let Augusta take her arm as they walked down the stairs.
“And here’s Dal waiting for us,” laughed Augusta. “I would say that makes us very fortunate ladies, wouldn’t you? Such a handsome sight first thing in the morning.”
Hecate noticed two things. The first was that she hadn’t even thought about her cane, but had come downstairs with only the arm of Lady Augusta to hold her steady.
The second was that Dal’s eyes weren’t on her as she descended.
They were on Lady Augusta.
*~~*~~*
Finn hid a chuckle. It would seem the appreciation of bottoms was rampant at Doireann Vale today.
Winnie had brought up a dish of fresh scones and was now standing next to Frank Worsnop at the sideboard. There was little but casual conversation, as befits servants waiting on the family. But Finn didn’t miss the sight of Frank’s hand sliding down the back of Winnie’s dress and pausing to squeeze what was probably also a very fine bottom.
Hecate and Augusta didn’t notice Winnie’s heightened colour as she left the room, passing them with a shy smile meant for the tall lad.
In fact, Finn barely noticed either, since Hecate had entered. He stood, of course, but his gaze remained on that luminous face smiling at him as if he was the most important thing in the world to her. If Augusta and Frank hadn’t been in the room?
She’d have been flat on her back next to the eggs and bacon, with her skirts up around her waist. He would be eating breakfast. Hecate on toast.
Fighting to control the inevitable result of that mental image, he sat down as they joined him, pulling his napkin over the bulge in his breeches. “Good morning, ladies.”
They nodded, and an appropriate conversation ensued, none of which Finn would have remembered if questioned later.
