13. Chapter Thirteen

Kat propped her back against the headboard and tilted Northanger Abbey toward the candlelight. After reading the same sentence three times, she closed the book and sighed.

My stars. What a night it had been. Alexander had been the picture of gentlemanly decorum, and she knew with all her heart that he would soon propose. The show had been akin to a magical dream, and Evan Eaton… Oh, Evan Eaton. He'd pressed his hip against her, and she'd lost all rational thought as she'd absorbed his masculine warmth. She'd even flirted back. Touching him with her foot had been wonderfully decadent. And indecent.

Truly, there must be something terribly wrong with her. Since she'd arrived at Brighton, her luck had turned to ash, and her list of indiscretions had piled so high, she'd never dig herself out from under them. She'd flitted about unlit gardens, splashed in the ocean like a fish, spied on a naked man at the beach, and practically fondled said man's ankle with her slippered toes. And in public! She'd even barged into his chamber. And all of that seemed minor compared to kissing him when she thought him a masked stranger.

This was more than just the salt air. Dash Evan to hell for being so blasted handsome, devilishly alluring, and making her wish for untoward things.

But touching him, inhaling his scent, accidentally staring at those muscular thighs seated beside her just hours earlier…

How could she continue to ignore the way he made her feel? She had no idea what to do with all of her tingling body parts. Shame washed over her, and she whimpered.

Why could she not be more like her cousin? Beth had disappeared from their box for half the show—no doubt with a man. And she didn't appear apprehensive or guilty in the least. Instead, her countenance had glowed, and she'd pranced about all evening like a proud peacock.

Kat craved Evan's touch. If only he'd lavish her breasts with his mind-numbing kisses. What if he then trailed his strong fingers along the curve of her torso, to her hip, finally fondling that aching area between her thighs?

Dare she see if her own touch alleviated the overwhelming throbbing? If so, she must hurry, for Beth would return from her nightly ablutions any moment.

The book fell to the floor as Kat dropped her head onto her pillow. Closing her eyes, she reached for the hem of her nightdress and slid the garment up her body. She gently danced her fingers over a breast, and her nipple tightened. She pinched the bud between her fingers. Just as she squealed with delight, Beth opened the chamber door.

Kat ripped her hand from beneath her nightdress, sat tall, and feigned innocence. "You startled me, and I dropped my book." She inclined her chin toward the discarded volume on the floor.

Her theatrical performance worked, for Beth seemed oblivious to her secret touches. She skittered across the room and climbed into bed beside Kat, prattling on and on about what a "charming evening" it had been.

Still quite shaky from her indecent self-exploration, Kat almost knocked over the candle on her nightstand. She steadied her nerves, blew out the flame, and settled in for the night.

"I hope you will forgive me for leaving you alone with two men." Since Beth hadn't extinguished the candle on her nightstand, it cast flickering shadows on her as she pulled the counterpane up to her chin and faced Kat. "It would be exceedingly fun to sit between two men at the theater. I always find two men to be wickedly fun. You should try it." Placing her nose inches from Kat's, she giggled.

But Kat only wanted one man, and it was not the one she was courting. There was no point in being untruthful with herself one second longer. She did not have romantic inclinations toward Alexander. Yes, she adored him, and the entire night, she'd tried to imagine kissing him. But it left her feeling like she was courting a cousin. That notion held very little appeal and unsettled her stomach.

Kat lifted her head to fight with her pillow. Once it was fluffed, she dropped her head onto it and huffed.

"Are you fretting again?" Beth asked.

Of course, she was fretting again. How could she not be? However, she was tired of being a daft cow. "You were so brave sea bathing today. I wish I could be more like you."

Beth beamed as if presented with a tray of sweetmeats. Or a chamber full of handsome men. "You proved quite brave in the end. You splashed about like a mermaid."

Kat had certainly felt like a mermaid—an ecstatic mermaid with blood coursing through her tail-like legs.

Before she lost her nerve, Kat needed to ask. She opened her mouth, then clamped her lips closed. But she had to know. "Is making love to a man as wonderful as they say?" she asked so quickly her words ran together.

"Oh yes," Beth said. "There is nothing quite like it. You leave your body behind as you soar."

Whatever in the dickens that meant, it did sound pleasant. Kat bit her lip.

"Have William and Ethan not told you all about sex? They were both rumored to be amazing lovers before their marriages."

"Bah." Kat blanched. "They are my brothers. Why would they talk about such things to me?"

"Hugh explained them to me."

Because Beth's older brother Hugh, the Bow Street Runner, might be brave, but he was a notorious rogue of the worst sort.

"There are things a man can do with his mouth and tongue that are so delicious that you see colors when you scream your pleasure," Beth said.

Colors? Screams? Pleasure?How thrilling. Especially since Evan—rumored to be experienced in the art of seduction—surely knew of such things.

"Please tell me about them," Kat whispered.

"Well, he places his mouth on your quim and licks and sucks and does all sorts of wonderful things."

Quim licking?Kat's was so wet right now that Evan could drink from between her thighs.

"Oh, my." She swallowed.

"And you can place your mouth around his cock and lick and suck him back. I very much enjoy that." Beth ran her tongue over her top lip.

The depravity of it all should appall her. Instead, it was as if a thousand butterfly wings tickled Kat's insides. Could Beth also enlighten her as to what to do with an arse as fine as Evan's? Although she had a few ideas of her own—caressing the firm crescents and nibbling on one perfect cheek. Make that both finely chiseled cheeks.

Oh, my heavens. She was a strumpet. A woman of loose morals. Lost! Evan had beaten her at her childish game because she was now willing to do whatever it took to know more of his touch.

"Beth, I need to tell you a secret. Please do not tell anyone."

"Let me guess. Lord Greyson is threatening to expose your rendezvous with Evan if you do not court him. Of course, he does not truly wish to court you. He loves to find people's secrets and blackmail them. Not to say that he won't use this power to deflower you, because he is a lecherous pig."

Kat sat up. "How did you know?"

"Because that is the type of man he is. He has threatened me before. However, since I could care less about my reputation, his threats are idle. But make no mistake, I do not ever wish to be alone with him. He shall never place his filthy hands on me."

Fascinating. So, threats were idle if you did not care about your reputation? Oddly, it made sense. Is that why Greyson was not threatening Evan like he was her?

"Not only that, but you no longer wish to marry Alexander, for you have fallen in love with Evan Eaton."

"Evan? Nay. No. Never," Kat sputtered.

"Liar," Beth declared. "Your feelings were transparent at the theater. Well, I knew the second I found you with your tongue in his mouth. It is evident that your snarling and snapping at each other is desire."

Kat sighed in resignation. "Do you think Alexander knows?"

"No. Alexander is in as much denial as you and Evan. Perhaps even more."

"Oh?" Kat asked.

"Alexander cannot love you, for he is attracted to his same sex. And everyone knows this except you and Alexander." Beth's brow wrinkled. "Hmm. I suspect Ethan is also unaware, or he would not be encouraging this courtship."

"But is it not illegal for men to be lovers?" Kat asked like an utter unsophisticated fool.

"Many men have male lovers," Beth said. "I find the thought appeals to me. It probably appeals to other men as well, but instead of succumbing to their curiosity, they claim it is evil and immoral. Regrettably, these men must keep their liaisons secret so they are not locked in a cell or ostracized. I suppose Alexander is fighting his inclinations."

Poor Alexander. And poor her.

"How do I get myself out of this mess?" Kat asked.

"There is a perfect solution," Beth said. "You marry Alexander. He can have flings with whomever he would like, and you can have an affair with Evan. Lord Greyson can no longer threaten you if you are married to an earl, and neither of you cares about a scandal."

That was a terrible solution since Kat wanted… What did she want?

"Hmm," she murmured a few times as her desire marched its way into her conscience.

She wanted to court Evan Eaton—openly and publicly. Lady Katrina Harrington, the daughter of a duke and the diamond of the season, wanted to court the untamable wild rake third son of an earl. That was the God's-honest truth. Stars, it felt good to admit it, even if it was only to herself.

Kat shook her head. "Nay. No affairs. I don't want a marriage of convenience. I want to marry for love."

"Humph." Beth's brow furrowed. "Evan favors you—quite a lot. I can tell. But he is not the marrying type. Of course, who would have ever thought that William and Ethan would marry? Even Alistair Eaton, the Earl of Trent, married, and they say he was the greatest rake of them all." Beth brought her hand out from under the covers to rest it against her chin. "I suppose Hugh is the greatest scoundrel of all. Well, maybe Evan has had more women. Actually, if we were crowning the King of the Rogues—"

Enough of this rambling about rakes, rogues, and scoundrels. "What are you getting at?"

Beth yawned. "I am not sure." She rolled over to blow out the candle.

Kat tapped her on the shoulder. "What should I do?"

"I am quite tired and need sleep. I would like to be well-rested for the cricket match. We will talk more tomorrow evening."

All those nights that Beth had kept her up late talking about her liaisons, and now she was too tired to discuss Kat's hurting heart? How unfair. However, it had been a long day. Kat laid her head on her pillow and closed her eyes. Unfortunately, her thoughts continued to whirl.

Would Evan Eaton give up all other women for her? Dare she ask after the way she'd treated him? And, if Evan married her, would their indiscretion matter to anyone? One thing was certain, she must let Alexander go and support him as he searched for love. And Ethan must help and support his friend. She'd insist, and her brother never told her no.

Yes! Ethan would save her and Alexander both. And even though Evan could be infuriating, he would never allow any harm to befall either Alexander or her. This would all work out. Despite evidence to the contrary, her luck could not have completely abandoned her.

For now, she should enjoy a restful slumber. The bed was inviting, and the counterpane warm.

Kat snuggled into the mattress.