19. Chapter Nineteen

With its turquoise walls, yellow draperies, gilded crown molding, and dozens of elegant chairs and settees upholstered in turquoise, yellow, and cream, The Crown Jewel's drawing room was the perfect place to relax and enjoy berries in cream, sponge cake, and a sweet punch. A half-dozen women who'd returned from the match earlier, leisurely discussed the afternoon as they awaited the return of the players from the local pub.

"My, oh my. Did you see Master Eaton catch that ball?" Mrs. Palmer, one of the widowed guests staying at the inn for the season, asked.

One would think that a woman in her seventies might be well past romantic notions. Apparently not, since she sighed with girly affection.

"Oh, my, he is so handsome. If only I were still young," said Mrs. Palmer's elderly companion, Lady Chisolm. "Lady Katrina and Miss Elizabeth, if I were as lovely as you girls, I would set my sights on Evan Eaton." She popped a strawberry into her mouth.

What in the dickens was Kat to say to that? That she'd spent most of her life treating him as if he were dirt beneath her slippers? And now that she favored him, she'd thrown herself at him, and he'd turned her away?

"Oh, Agnes, do behave," Mrs. Palmer chided her friend.

Quite bold indeed, since she was the one who'd brought up Evan in the first place, blushing and sighing like a besotted schoolgirl.

Lady Chisolm held up a finger, stalling the conversation until she'd swallowed her mouthful. "I dare say, I behaved my entire life and am quite bored with the entire thing. What did propriety ever get me? The title of ‘Chisolm the Old Spinster.'" She pfftedin Aunt Justine's direction. "Oh, do not look so horrified, Justine. I know what others say about me, and I'd have preferred to live my life to the fullest, to experience love and passion." She pointed her fan at Beth. "You enjoy life, do you not, Miss Elizabeth?"

"I do try." Sitting tall, Beth smiled. "I am courting Frederick Montague. He also played quite well today, did he not? And he is exceedingly handsome."

"For the other team." Mrs. Palmer tsked in jest, then chuckled. "Forgiven. But only because you make such an agreeable couple."

"He is a handsome man indeed. Dresses impeccably and comes from a fine family." Lady Chisolm fixed Kat in her gaze. "My dear, you always look as if you are fretting yourself into a fit of the vapors. You remind me of myself when I was your age."

Piffle. And now the woman was weaving cautionary tales.

"Are you courting someone?" Lady Chisolm asked her.

Dare she say Lord Wellspring?

Nay. She could not go through with this courtship while craving Evan Eaton's company and touch. Luckily, Mrs. Palmer spoke up, allowing Kat time to chew on her lip while contemplating the situation.

"Did you know that Lady Katrina is considered one of this season's diamonds of the first water? And that she is the queen's niece." Mrs. Palmer tapped her finger on the top of her teacup. "I suppose it can be quite unnerving to find oneself under that much pressure and scrutiny."

Precisely.

"I do know that, and 'tis so true." Lady Chisolm sighed. "There was once someone I favored with all my heart. But I was so worried about pleasing my family and marrying the right man that I let him go. If only I could live my life over."

Kat swallowed the lump forming in her throat.

"Oh, my." Mrs. Palmer placed her hand on her cheek. "Wait until I tell everyone at The London Floral Society that I stayed at an inn with Her Royal Highness's niece!"

Trying to will away the heat surging up her neck, Kat sipped her punch. Unfortunately, the iced drink did nothing to cool her off.

"Look who it is." Mrs. Palmer smiled and waved at someone in the doorway.

"Master Evan," Lady Chislom said. "We were just talking about what a fine athlete you are."

Kat looked up from her glass to take in the masculine presence filling the doorway. He'd changed from his whites into a fresh shirt and a cravat that matched the color of his eyes. His waistcoat was casually thrown over his shoulder. The sun had tinted his cheeks a golden hue, making his eyes resemble rare Egyptian emeralds. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Evan." Aunt Justine rose from her seat to take his hand in hers. "Thank you for winning the game for The Crown Jewel. We have not held the trophy in many years. My late husband would be proud." She led him into the center of the drawing-room, where everyone present showered him with compliments for a well-played game.

"Won't you join us for a light repast?" Aunt Justine asked.

"I cannot stay." His gaze slid to Kat, and his eyes clouded over with… Longing? Affection? Exhaustion? Hunger for sponge cake? "I simply wanted to…"

Please let him be there to see her.

"Master Eaton, please join us." Lady Chisolm patted the seat beside her.

"I must be going," he said. "Mrs. Fletcher, I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to play on your team. 'Twas an honor."

"Of course," Aunt Justine said. "I do hope you will come back next summer. You always have a room here. Although, I suppose you are quite happy staying at Yardley Manor with Ethan and Anna."

"Exceedingly so," he said. "Anna is quite charming. But I do so appreciate your invitation. Now, I must return to my lodging and sleep, for I have an early morning portrait session with Anna."

"You paint?" Lady Chislom asked.

"I do," Evan said.

"He is quite talented," Kat accidentally blurted out.

Evan smiled, easing her embarrassment and triggering the bubbles of happiness threatening to make her leap from her seat and curvet like a spirited pony.

Bowing to the women, Evan sent each of them a flirtatious grin. This time, instead of a smile, Kat received an open-mouthed exhale that traveled across the room to caress her cheek. It took all of her discipline not to chase after him when he took his leave.

Stars! Were Mrs. Palmer, Lady Chisolm, and Elizabeth all staring at his arse?

Beth nudged Kat's shoulder. "That is not at all what he wanted. He was here to see you. He looked at you as if he was a love-sick pup."

"Shh," Kat said, lest the guests overhear them.

Not that the two older women sitting closest to them would be scandalized in the least. Oh, how Kat longed to be that carefree and to say and do what she wished without fear of judgment. And if only she didn't have to wait until she was Harrington the Old Spinster to embrace her life.

While the rest of the guests chatted, Beth clasped her hand. "Do not fret when I do not come home tonight."

Kat fought her urge to flail her hands indignantly. "Where are you going?"

"To meet Frederick."

"What will your mother say?"

"I will be back before we break our fast. She will never know. 'Tis quite easy to sneak out the staff entrance at night and return before dawn. Especially while everyone is enjoying their evening snack."

Instead of responding with words, Kat blinked out her shock.

Beth rose from their settee, kissed her mother on the cheek, and addressed the guests. "Excuse me. I am quite tired. I will turn in for the evening." Before exiting the room, she peered over her shoulder to wink at Kat.

Lady Chisolm's warnings echoed in Kat's mind, And Evan Eaton's voice, smell, and touch infiltrated her memories as she paced her chamber. Why had Beth run off when Kat desperately needed someone to talk to?

Kat halted her frantic to and fro to glare at the door as if it were her enemy. She simply needed something to be the object of her frustration. After bestowing the innocent partition with as much derision as possible, she felt slightly better. She pushed it aside and scurried from her room to the kitchen.

Beth was correct. Sneaking out the back exit while the staff enjoyed their evening tea and biscuits was as easy as snapping her fingers. It was as if Kat was intoxicated on claret as she hastened along the street to Yardley Manor. She crept into the servant entrance, passed by a footman, and then dashed up the stairs. Her heart pounded against her chest as she slid into Evan's room, pulling his chamber door closed behind her.

A half-dozen candles bathed him in a golden light. Cravetless, the top buttons of his shirt undone, he sat on the edge of his bed, a twisted grin on his handsome face.

"I'd hoped you'd come," he said, his voice full of the arrogance that made her want to box his ears.

Nay, that wasn't quite correct. Made her want to leap onto his lap and kiss him senseless.

"Why did you just visit The Crown Jewel Inn?"

Please let him say to see her. For if he did, she'd press her lips to his.

"As I said, to thank your aunt."

She'd been a fool to come. This was a huge mistake. She should go. Turning on her heel, she headed toward the door.

"Greyson will no longer bother you. I've taken care of it," he called to her.

Thank the heavens above, Evan had come through. She faced him.

"Thank you. Thank you so very much."

Why wasn't Evan smiling? It should be big and brilliant and beautiful right now.

"I told Wellspring we kissed," he said.

Perhaps she should feel some sort of shame or regret, but instead, relief coursed through her. "Did you tell him anything else?"

"I didn't tell him I'd fondled your breasts, if that is what you're asking?" Evan snickered as if he'd said something hysterical.

From serious to fool in a moment. How romantic it would have been if he'd confessed he favored her to his friend. But nay, the louse smirked and mentioned breast fondling.

Of course, if she were honest with herself, she was also thinking about breast fondling. And licking and sucking. And that most taboo thing of all—his drinking from between her thighs. Dash Elizabeth Fletcher to the fiery pits of hell for putting the notion in her head. And damn Kat's blasted body since it betrayed her, and a quiver ran from her quim, up her belly, and split into two as it jolted to both nipples.

Good Lord. She should go. She stepped toward the door.

"Wait," he called. "I'm so very sorry. Please forgive me. I only meant to tease, but it did not come out flirtatious in the least. You make me akin to a court jester. You have since the first time I saw you standing there in your pink dress and flower-covered bonnet."

Hence, the frog in her tea? But more importantly, he remembered what she'd worn on a summer day over a decade ago.

The mattress squeaked, and his feet thunked on the floor. Before she had time to open the door, he reached around her, pressing both hands against it and holding it closed.

"Now that Alexander knows, there is nothing to keep us apart. Except for you, Lady Katrina." His words tickled the back of her neck. "And I promise, I won't allow Greyson to hurt you or any other woman… ever again."

He sounded so sincere that Kat froze, her arm reaching toward the door as Lady Chisolm's words slapped at her resolve. "I'd have preferred to live my life to the fullest, to experience love and passion."

"Please don't go," Evan whispered in her ear.

Holding her breath, she turned to face him. Not a hint of arrogance in his lust-filled eyes. No mockery in those kissable lips. Only the hunger that radiated from his every pore. She sighed in resignation. No way was she going anywhere.

His body weight caged her against the door as his lips crashed against hers. His kisses were urgent. Raw. Overpowering. Dizzying.

She pressed her hands against his chest. His heart beat beneath her palms, and his hard bulge jabbed her through layers of fabric. The urge to rub her bits and pieces up against his cock had become an all-consuming primal need radiating from deep within her.

He broke from their kiss to stare into her eyes. "Tell me what you want, my princess. Whatever you desire, it is yours. I am your slave, Katrina Harrington. I'd conquer the heavens to bring you a star. I'd climb the highest mountain to catch you a rainbow. I'd make you a throne of a million rose petals so that you could lounge upon it and rule my world."

Oh, how she'd love this man to gift her stars, rainbows, and rose petals. She rested her hand on his cheek. "Might you simply make love to me until the first light of dawn peeks through the windows?"

He stepped back and blinked.

Why had she said something so brazen? What in the dickens was wrong with her? She whimpered as her cheeks heated.

With a feral growl, Evan hoisted her over his shoulder and tossed her onto the bed. She landed in the center with an unladylike squeal. He was instantly on top of her, his lips on hers, one hand dragging her skirts up her legs as the other cradled her neck. Need and fear mingled, leaving her breathless.

"I've never made love," she said between her gasps of pleasure.

"So innocent," he whispered. "I will take good care of you."

Yes. That is what she wanted.

His scorching hands were everywhere. Pulling out her hair ribbon. Unbuttoning her dress. Tugging her free from fabric. Caressing her bare flesh.

He sat back on his haunches and studied her naked figure as she squirmed beneath his assessing gaze.

"Heavens above, you are beautiful," he said.

She reached for him. "You should be naked, too."

His deep chuckle was the ultimate aphrodisiac. "In a moment, princess. First, there is something I have been longing to do since I found you asleep in the grass. Do you trust me?"

Was she insane? Because she did trust this immature, scandalous rake. With her life. She nodded.

He smiled in between the hot kisses he trailed down her body, eventually seating himself between her thighs. Was he about to lap up the liquid dripping from her core? Because although she desired it more than anything, the notion also terrified her.

He bent forward, inhaled her secret scent, and moaned. "Heaven, roses, and sin."

His heated breath blowing across her quim sent her self-consciousness to the far ends of the world. Surely, if a man desired her this much, she must be as sensual as a nymph. Or a mermaid.

He ran a finger through her curls, parting her folds. She undulated, lifting her mound closer to him, hoping the bold move tempted him.

Cupping her bosom in his hands, he squeezed and grinned wickedly.

Just wait until she cradled his naked arse. She might just send him back that same Mephistophelian smirk. She'd taunt and tease and… "Oh, my."

He licked along the seam of her inner thigh. First one, then the other, occasionally grazing her clitoris with his nose. Until, finally, thank the stars above, he gently pushed his tongue inside her.

Her moans and groans and little mewls of pleasure were probably disgraceful, but she couldn't help it. His long, leisurely licks were so very indulgent. And with each pass, his tongue came closer to the twitching orb growing in her center. She could take it no longer. She needed him there in that whirling vortex. Now! She grasped the back of his head and pressed his face to her quim until their bodies were inseparable.

His chuckle vibrated her inner walls. Thereupon, his licks turned to suckling. With a few naughty nibbles here and there, he feasted upon her as if she were an epicurean delight.

She cried out as she humped his mouth with a crazed fury. Just when she thought her body might explode, he pulled away, leaving her a pulsing pile of need.

"More," she begged as she reached for him.

The corners of his mouth turned up mischievously as he licked his middle finger. Palm up, he curled that finger inward, then slid it into her.

She gasped.

He pumped in and out of her. Soon, his mouth and hands worked in sync, two fingers curling inside of her, his other hand holding her folds open, while his tongue alternated between flat-tongued laving, and tracing little circles on her pearl. All the while, her talented lover occasionally caught her gaze and smiled. Oh, that beautiful, fun-loving smile!

If only this euphoric pleasure could last forever. But alas, her thighs quivered, and her hips bucked as she dug her fingernails into his scalp.

"Evan!" she screamed.

Stars burst into rainbow-colored shrapnel as she came apart beneath him. At length, she floated back to earth, landing on a puffy mattress of rose petals. Or so it seemed.

Evan was there, cradling her close, whispering worshipping words. How could she have ever mistaken her feelings for him for anything other than adoration?

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed," he said.

"Now, do I get to see you naked?" Up close and personal instead of spying on him on the beach.

He kissed the top of her head. "In a moment, my darling princess."

She traced the line of his jaw with her index finger. It was a strong jaw, masculine and chiseled. Perfect, really, except for the snore rippling from it.

Stars. She'd exhausted the poor man. She giggled, then closed her eyes.