Kate woke tothe sun streaming in through the window. She rang for Brigitte, and she hurried in with a tray. “I’ve brought you a sweet roll and a hot drink, my lady.” She placed it on the table beside the bed and drew back the curtains.
Kate yawned and stretched. “What time is it?” She leaned back against the pillows and sipped the hot, rich chocolate.
“Ten of the clock, my lady.”
“That late?” Kate put down the roll half eaten. She threw back the covers and put on her slippers. “It appears to be a fine day.”
“It’s early for many Londoners, my lady. They go to bed at dawn and sleep into the afternoon.”
“I suppose I shall grow used to it in time.” A wave of contentment warmed her. Last night she had braved thetonand come away relatively unscathed. Robert would be pleased she hadn’t disgraced his name. A small shaft of uneasiness remained when she found it difficult to remember certain details of it. She longed to see him, to make sure. “Has my husband breakfasted?”
“I believe he has, my lady. He left the house for the stables a little while ago.”
Kate tried to hide her disappointment. “Did he leave word if he would be in for luncheon?”
Brigitte helped Kate into her wrap. “I do not know, my lady. Will I ask Hove?”
“Don’t bother. I believe I shall go to Hyde Park. I’ll wear my primrose yellow with the green petticoat and the straw bonnet, the one with yellow and white striped ribbons.”
“And primrose leather gloves, my lady?”
“No, the York tan.” Kate looked down at her shift. “I was so fatigued last night I must have dismissed you.” The niggling worry remained, had she drunk too much champagne?
Brigitte held a hand to her mouth. She giggled. “You were so sleepy, his lordship dismissed me.”
Kate’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, of course he did, I’d forgotten.” Had he undressed her? She vaguely remembered him covering her before she fell asleep again. She gazed at the thin lawn. He must have seen much of her. Perhaps, all of her.
She quivered. Had he liked her body? He hadn’t remained or tried to wake her, which left her unsure. She sighed.
“He assisted you to bed before he left for another engagement,” Brigitte said shaking out the folds in the yellow gown.
Kate swung around to face her. The maid’s face was impassive. It hurt her that Brigitte appeared to relish telling her about Robert’s nocturnal habits. Servants knew far too much of what went on. They would know that she and Robert didn’t sleep together. “I daresay he wished to return to continue his game of cards. So kind of him to escort me home when I became fatigued,” she said airily. Her heart sank, and she wanted to cry. There was only one explanation for him leaving the house at that hour. Robert had a mistress. She should have expected it, but it struck her to the core.
It was her fault. She was the one who had refused him his rights. What could she do?
“I shall promenade in Hyde Park, Brigitte.”
“Do you wish me to accompany you, my lady?”
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“But my lady, should you go alone?”
“Why not? I traveled alone from Oxford to Cornwall. I think I can manage the park by myself. And I want you to run an errand for me. I need some more of that scented bath soap.”
She turned her back on Brigitte’s pout of disappointment.
*
Robert cantered tothe end of Rotten Row. He dismounted to await a friend who’d been delayed in conversation. He had not enjoyed his ride, for the previous night left a bad taste in his mouth. As soon as he walked into his mistress’s chambers, Anastasia had been in a pet at the lateness of the hour. He found he didn’t desire her. Perhaps he was tired. He had had to placate her with a promise of a new bracelet and an evening at the pleasure gardens, something she delighted in, but he found tedious.
While walking his horse, he caught sight of a prettily dressed woman strolling along the path through the elms toward him. Her lacy parasol shielded her face from the sun and his view.
Her gown was undoubtedly expensive. Curious that such a well-dressed woman should walk alone without her maid, he watched her approach. When she drew close, she raised her parasol, and smiled a welcome, her eyes a warm green.
Kate! Her loveliness and sweetness stunned him, causing a multitude of emotions to surge through him: frustrated desire, and the fear of being hurt, mingled with the need to protect her. It was quickly replaced with annoyance that she flouted convention.
“Good morning, Robert. I do hope you enjoyed your ride.”
