Chapter Eight

One Month Later

T hat first kiss changed everything for Kate. She’d never thought she could feel such an intense passion for anyone besides Theo. Yet, her love for Oliver was even greater, if possible. His kisses were far more tender than Theo’s had been. Oliver took his time exploring her mouth and letting her explore his—their urgency and desire building together.

Theo’s kisses had been shorter as if he wanted to hurry and focus on the other more interesting areas of her body. She now felt like an impatient girl for having been swept up in his sweet words and the overwhelming urgency of the situation.

But after taking care of her sisters and father for seven years and never being allowed to debut into society, she’d been starved for excitement and passion. She’d desperately wanted to get married, but her father would never have allowed a man to court her. So when she met Theo after befriending his sister Emilia, it had seemed like a dream come true. Here was a man who loved her enough to confront her father, to marry her even if Papa disapproved, and to take her away from the life of drudgery that awaited her once her little sisters married, and she was left to care for her father in his dotage.

But that was her old life. Kate smiled at her sleeping husband, who lay beside her. They’d married a week ago in a chapel on St. James’s Street. Everything had been done in a secret rush, with only Kate’s aunt and a second witness from the church in attendance as witnesses.

Her papa had only been informed after the fact. There had been no time to invite him—she didn’t need his permission, nor did she fear his reaction, knowing that he might be cross at first, but also realizing that once he digested the fact that she’d married an earl, he’d be elated.

Aunt Jane had traveled back to Yorkshire directly after the wedding to break the news to her brother-in-law, but the journey up north was long, so Kate had written to her papa as soon as Oliver had secured the special license, knowing that once word got out that the Earl of Knox had secretly married again, the news would spread as fast as a row of thatched huts on fire. And it had.

But Kate didn’t care to know what people were saying. She and Oliver had cocooned themselves in his home, shutting out the rest of the world. Although she’d been hesitant at first, and they hadn’t had much time for courtship, Oliver now felt like her soulmate. They’d quickly developed a deep friendship, respect, and love for one another in and out of the bedroom.

At first, Kate had been worried about being intimate with her husband because of the baby. Could marital relations hurt her unborn child? But she needn’t have worried because Oliver had been the most gentle and considerate lover. And once that initial fear had passed, they couldn’t get enough of one another, spending their nights—and much of their days—making love.

Now, Oliver’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled at his wife. Kate moved into his arms, pressing her naked body against his. He lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers, opening his mouth and kissing her deeply. She returned his kiss and let her hand travel over his muscular chest and down between his thighs. He groaned and lifted her onto his manhood. They moved their hips back and forth until waves of pleasure engulfed both of them, and they cried out from pleasure. Afterward, Kate lay on his chest with him still inside her, neither wanting to separate. They stayed that way for several minutes until Kate eventually rolled over.

“I’m starving,” she said.

Oliver laughed, threw off the blankets, and sat up. “I’ll tell Cook to prepare you a feast fit for a queen. What do you fancy? Eggs, kippers, and bacon? What about toast and marmalade? I could use a steaming cup of tea myself.”

“All of the above,” Kate said.

“Good. You get ready, and by the time you come downstairs, a feast will be waiting.”

“Aren’t we going to breakfast together?” Kate asked.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you for a bit today and retreat to my study. I have some matters to attend to. And I expect you do, too.”

“What do you mean?” Kate pushed herself up on her elbows.

“We can’t stay holed up in this house forever. Your father will be expecting an invitation to visit, and we’ll have to make our appearance in society next week at Lady Ashworth’s ball. I expect you’ll want some new dresses, so you’ll need to summon the modiste.”

Kate groaned. “Can’t we spend another week alone before we start doing all of those things?”

“I’d like nothing better, my darling,” Oliver said, “but I’m afraid not.”

“Will you at least have a little breakfast with me before you retreat?” Kate asked.

Oliver looked at his wife and smiled. “Of course, I will. Today and every other day,” He leaned over to give her another kiss. She returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around his muscular back and pulling him down to her. His desire pressed against her soft flesh, and he groaned. “Perhaps my work can wait just a little longer,” he said, kissing her again.

Kate spent the next week getting measured and choosing fabric for her new dresses. The modiste had promised to have one ready for Kate’s first public appearance with Oliver at Lady Ashworth’s ball, and she’d delivered a stunning royal blue satin empire dress with a square neckline, puffed sleeves, and a red sash covering the high waist. She finished the outfit with red silk slippers and a diamond-encrusted ruby necklace and earrings that Oliver had given to her as a wedding gift. Her chestnut curls had been pulled and twisted into a bun by her lady’s maid, who artfully arranged ringlets to frame her face.

“You look radiant, m’lady.”

“Thank you, Elspeth. It isn’t too difficult when you have so many wonderful people looking after you, doing your hair, and sewing beautiful dresses for you.” Kate studied herself in the oval full-length floor mirror, looking for signs of her being with child. She turned to the side and saw no visible bump. Her waist was still slim.

“I’d wager you’d look radiant even if you wore rags, m’lady. There’s just something that glows about your face.”

Kate swallowed. She wondered what her maid was hinting at. Had she guessed that she was with child? Kate had heard that women could sometimes sense these things about each other, but her lady’s maid had no children of her own, so Kate decided it was unlikely the woman could tell.

“But I suppose it’s because you’re so happy. His lordship is just the same. All the servants have noticed how much he’s changed since my old mistress died. We never thought he’d be happy again, and then you came along.”

“ Your old mistress?” Kate asked, suddenly curious as to why Oliver had retained his wife’s lady’s maid.

“Lord Knox didn’t have the heart to let me go. He’s an awfully generous master, he is, and he knew how loyal I was to Lady Knox, so he kept me on as a housemaid. It was a bit of a demotion for me, but he kept my wages the same, so I stayed, and I’m glad I did because now all is right in this household again.”

Just then Oliver entered the room, looking dashing in his three-piece navy suit with a red and navy patterned waistcoat over his white shirt.

“That will be all, thank you, Elspeth,” Kate said.

Elspeth curtsied and said, “Yes, m’lady,” before exiting the room.

Oliver came up behind Kate and kissed her neck. “You smell delicious,” he said, “and look stunning. I’m going to be the envy of every man tonight.”

Kate laughed and turned to face her husband. “Hardly, I think I am the one who will receive envious stares from all the women.”

“Well then, why don’t we go and find out, Lady Knox,” Oliver said.

“The Earl of Knox and Lady Knox,” the doorman announced as they stepped into Lady Ashworth’s ballroom, and Kate saw many heads turn to look in their direction. Oliver squeezed Kate’s arm lightly in a reassuring gesture. Despite being a baronet’s daughter, she’d spent her life in Yorkshire and had never made her debut into society, so she’d had little experience attending balls and mingling with the ton. But she needn’t have worried because Oliver stayed closely by her side, introducing her to the host and others who came to greet them. Kate smiled at so many people that her cheeks began to ache.

“Who knew smiling and making small talk with people was so exhausting,” she said.

“Oh, believe me, it’s a marathon,” Oliver said. “If you want to go, I can make our excuses. I don’t want you to over-exert yourself.”

“Nonsense,” Kate said. “We only just got here, and we haven’t even danced yet. I spent years learning to dance and then never had a chance to put my lessons into practice.”

“Well then, may I have this dance, my lady?”

“I don’t know,” Kate teased, holding out her wrist and pretending to read an imaginary dance card. “It looks like my card is full. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until the next ball.”

“Forget them,” he said, taking her hand and starting for the ballroom floor. “I’ll duel every one of them to the death if I have to.”

Kate giggled as Oliver grabbed her waist and twirled her onto the ballroom floor. Then she realized that heads had turned, and they were attracting attention. She straightened and turned back to Oliver, trying to appear somber.

“People are looking at us,” she said.

“Let them,” Oliver said. “I want the whole world to know how happy you make me.”

The music started, and she glided across the ballroom floor with her husband. How wonderful it felt to be dancing. But after three dances, Kate had to excuse herself to go to the withdrawing room, so Oliver escorted her off the floor.

“I’ll fetch you a glass of iced tea in the meantime,” he said.

“That would be lovely.”

As Kate weaved her way through the crowded room toward the exit, a young woman, standing in a far-off corner, sipping a glass of champagne, caught her eye. She wore a yellow empire dress with a white sash. Kate’s heart began to pound. There was something familiar about her tall, slim physique, and the way she wore her blond hair in an elaborate bun.

“Emilia,” she whispered.

As though the young woman sensed a presence calling out to her, she turned and gazed into the crowded room.

“Emilia,” Kate whispered again, advancing cautiously. As she got closer, her knees almost gave way. There was no mistaking those ice blue eyes and sharp cheekbones.

A mad desperation gripped Kate. Am I hallucinating? Emilia is dead! Yet, here she stands before me as she did in life.

Kate pushed forward, weaving through the crowd. She needed to touch Emilia, feel her warmth and know that she wasn’t going mad. But when she reached the spot where Emilia had stood, there was no sign of her friend.

Kate blinked at the space where Emilia had stood, sipping champagne in her yellow gown. She cradled her head in her hands. What had happened? Had her mind played a trick on her? Emilia was dead. She knew that. Yet, she could have sworn…

Kate’s body trembled, and a heavy weight settled on her chest, making it hard to breathe. Emilia had looked so real—so alive. Those eyes and that beautiful face—she’d know it anywhere. What was happening to her?

Oh, Emilia, why do you haunt me now? Is it because I betrayed your brother by falling in love again so soon? Tears stung Kate’s eyes, as she realized that it must have been her guilty mind at work. So much had happened since Theo’s and Emilia’s deaths that she’d hardly had time to mourn them properly. And here she was at an elaborate ball, laughing and dancing with her new husband as though Theo had never existed.

“Kate.” Oliver appeared by her side. “What happened? I’ve been searching everywhere for you. Why do you tremble so? Are you cold?”

Kate shook her head. She couldn’t tell Oliver what she’d seen. He would think her mad and worry himself sick. “I—I don’t know. I suddenly felt nauseated.”

“Good Lord.” Oliver removed his jacket and put it around his wife’s shoulders. “I should not have pushed you to attend this ball. I’m a fool. You are with child. You need your rest.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Forgive me.”

Kate burrowed against his chest, taking comfort in his warmth and leather and spice scent. Her body relaxed. She desired sleep. Her exhaustion had caused her to become confused. That was all.

I am with child. I need my rest. All will be well with a little sleep.