She shoved at his chest which was like a brick wall and didn’t budge an inch. The action sent her sliding back onto the table.
He took her by the waist, bending her back, one hand cupping her chin, and forced his mouth on hers.
Kate gasped. At the touch of his lips, a swift heat and yearning spread through her body so strong she gasped. She fought the urge to return his kiss and draw him to her. Through the haze of longing, she realized that this would not mend their troubles. It would seal their fate. Her eyes closed as his lips traced a line down her throat to her breast, and he murmured something she didn’t quite catch. When his hand caught up the hem of her gown, she trembled and pushed him away. “The servants will come in!”
He cast her a heavy-lidded gaze, breathing fast. “Then come to the bedchamber.”
“Then can we talk?”
“Talk? Why must women always talk?”
“You’ve hardly said a word to me since Merry married. Although you were happy to talk and laugh with Lady Elphinstone! And now this! You cannot treat me like a trollop merely here to satisfy your needs!”
“Was I?” He gazed at her as the lust faded from his eyes and gave a rueful laugh. “You seem to bring out the worst in me, Kate.” He bowed. “I must go. Please excuse me.”
He strode to the door and opened it, hauling it back on its hinges. She remained as if frozen, listening to his footsteps in the corridor. They sounded so final.
She left the room, finding her anger had turned to despair.
Now that she’d cooled down she realized her behavior was even more irrational than his. Why didn’t she agree to go to the bedchamber with him? They might have talked later. Something stopped her, and she knew what it was. With the distinct possibility that he’d made love to Lady Elphinstone in Bath, Kate needed to be sure she meant more to him than just another sexual tryst. To know that their lovemaking sprang from tender feelings of love and not just from lust. She ran to the window in time to see him leap into a carriage. It drove away. Kate admitted defeat. He cared so little for her feelings and nothing she could do would ever put this right.
She returned to her chamber and rang for her maid.
“Take out my carriage dress and pack a small trunk for me, please,” she said when Brigitte arrived. “I am retiring to the country for a time.”
“Will you be away long, my lady?” Going to the clothespress, Brigitte cast a backward glance, eyebrows raised. No doubt much had been made of her and Robert’s behavior in the servants’ quarters already.
Brigitte would hate the country and drive her mad. “Fetch me paper and a pen first. I will write you a recommendation. The Countess Marchon requires a lady’s maid. She has had her eye on you for some time.”
Brigitte pouted. “But I prefer to work for you, my lady.”
“You will enjoy working for a Frenchwoman. I hear she refuses to wear anything but Parisian gowns.”
“Vraiment?How long will you be gone?”
“I don’t know. I have the need of fresh air and a good rest.” The excuse seemed apt as she had looked tired of late.
“Pack my riding habit. Leave the ballgowns. I shan’t be attending any balls or parties.” She sat at her bureau and scratched out a note to the countess, extolling Brigitte’s virtues, and one to Robert, echoing what she had just told her maid. It sounded so rational and sensible she was surprised when she read it again. The words lacked all the emotion and distress that made her ill. Her fingers trembled when she folded it and sealed it with wax. “Please deliver this to my husband’s valet,” she said and handed it to Brigitte.
After changing into a carriage gown, she calmed herself with several deep breaths, then walked downstairs, passing the footman who’d just taken up his position in the corridor. “How is your gout today, Barker? Has the powdered elm bark helped?”
He gave a brief, self-conscious smile. “It did, thank you, my lady.”
Kate fastened her redingote as she made her way to the foyer. “I’d like the coach brought around, Hove. I’m returning to Cornwall for a time.”
Hove’s polite expression didn’t alter beyond a faint flicker in his eyes. “Very well, my lady. Do you wish to leave a message for his lordship?”
“I have done so.”
“You shall be taking your maid?”
“No. I travel alone.”
Hove’s eyebrows snapped down, before he recovered himself. Snobbish man, Kate thought crossly. Many of the servants were more conscious of upholding propriety than thetonthemselves.
“It would be wise to have two armed footmen accompany you.”
“If you consider it necessary, Hove,” she said contritely, chastened by the man’s obvious concern.
