21. Chapter Twenty-one

Strenuous hiking did wonders to lift Kat's spirits. She'd have preferred to stroll along the beach, but her missing undergarments forced her to choose a route far from curious eyes. It was not a total loss. The blue sky seemed to go on forever. Trees and greenery lined the expansive fields. Wildflowers grew among the hedgerows, and birds merrily sang to her as they fluttered from branch to branch. With only the wildlife and her thoughts, Katrina perambulated away the morning.

Of course, sneaking into Evan's room had been inappropriate. Scandalous. Disgraceful even. Still, her brother did not need to humiliate her. She was a grown woman with wants and needs. If the rumors were true, Ethan had bedded dozens of women before his marriage. How dare he hold her to different standards because she was female. She would no longer feel shame for who she was, and she would not spend another moment living a life of pretense. She wanted to play peek-a-boo with her new nephew. To paint beautiful scenes. To swim in the ocean. To run barefoot through a grassy field. To the devil with being laced into bone-crushing stays. Who was she trying to deceive? She loved biscuits. And chocolate. And Evan Eaton's arse. And his kisses, licks, and suckling. And dare she think it…? Oh, yes! She would announce it to the birds and butterflies.

After kicking off her slippers, she wiggled her toes in the grass. Bending her knees, she crouched like she'd watched her brothers do when they were children. "Ready. Set. Run." She was off, dashing across the field, yelling, "I want to make love to Evan Eaton."

Exhilarated, she fell to her knees and laughed until tears dripped from her eyes. Perchance, the preventative dip and the sea air had cured her of her Uptight-itis infliction. Both her cousin and the man who'd infiltrated her world were correct, and she was no longer in denial. She'd had a stick shoved up her buttocks her entire life. But now, it was gone. It had just taken a few days for the cure to set in unless it was the orgasm from Evan's skilled mouth and fingers that had adjusted her attitude. Heavenly stars! The man possessed a talented tongue. A pleasurable shiver wracked her body.

Interesting. As angry as she'd been with her brother, she was no longer vexed with him. What was there to be frustrated about since she planned to ignore his directive and seek Evan's company? This was the first minute of the rest of her life, and she would live every single second to the fullest once she retrieved her slippers.

Shoeless and stay-less, she scanned the area. "Hmm."

No slippers. The mere thought of it should have panicked her. Instead, she giggled. In her enthusiasm, she'd kicked the things to kingdom come.

Tramping through the underbrush alongside the field in her bare feet was slightly uncomfortable. No matter. She was the new and improved Katrina. She dropped to her knees and crawled about in the vicinity where she suspected they might be, finally spying one hanging from a low-hanging branch.

Scooting along on her hands and knees, she reached for the shoe and tugged it free. Now, to find the other.

"Huh!" At last, she spied the tip of purple satin, hiding behind a rock. Unfortunately, she needed to weave through a patch of trees to get to it. She stood, slid a foot into the slipper in her hand, and then hopped on one foot to the rock. She'd just plucked her shoe from the ground when she heard someone say, "Apparently, Eaton has feelings for Katrina."

She knew that cultured voice. What was Alexander doing in such a secluded spot discussing her? She tucked herself behind a tree and peeked out around it.

"Harrington once told me that the duke insists she marry someone with a title," Alexander told Buttons.

"I do not understand. Lord Ethan was permitted to marry Anna," Buttons said. "And the Duke of Astleyshire bulks at propriety. His duchess is half-wild and as cunning as a fox."

"Yes, but Ethan is a man. Katrina, the poor girl, will never be permitted to choose her husband," Alexander said. "And they will never allow her to marry a man without a title, regardless of his status and family. 'Tis a shame. For she deserves happiness."

Piffle. The dashed comment was probably true. Despite thumbing ton expectations, her brothers would never concede to a relationship between her and Evan. More than likely, it had nothing to do with titles and everything to do with William's dislike for his brother-in-law. And then there was Ethan's volatile reaction when he discovered them together. She whimpered. Her relationship with Evan might be over before it had a chance to bloom.

"Do you still plan to ask for her hand?" Buttons asked.

"Nay. Harrington might never forgive me for my change of heart. And as lovely and delightful as she is"—Alexander ran a hand along Button's cheek—"she is not the one who has stolen my heart."

Kat extinguished her gasp with her palm. He found her delightful? He didn't think her a spoiled brat? What a dear sweet man.

However, as interesting as this revelation was, her shock had more to do with her discovery of two men together. She closed her eyes and held her breath.

"But we are not of the same class," Buttons said.

"I care not of such things," Alexander said. "Truth be told, I know little of love. I am inexperienced in such things. I have never even kissed someone. But I know I want to be with you every minute of the day."

How romantic. And to think, a mere week ago, Kat had not believed in true love, and now it seemed to be blowing about in the sea breeze. She should give the men their privacy. However, fear over the noise she might make if she moved held her in place.

"And I want to be with you," Buttons said.

"If I could, I would scream to the world that I fancy you with all my heart," Alexander said.

"You don't have to tell the world. Simply tell me," Buttons said.

Kat's heart melted as she willed Alexander to say the words.

"I fancy you with all my heart."

He'd said it! Kat's heart fluttered at the sincerity and vulnerability in Alexander's proclamation. She opened her eyes to find the men embracing, their strong arms wrapped around each other, their lips locked together in a passionate kiss.

She should leave while they were distracted. She slipped her other foot into the slipper and gingerly stepped. She peeked over her shoulder to take one last look at the lovers. Their bodies had molded into one. She blew them a good luck kiss since they needed buckets full of good fortune to survive the close-minded society they lived in.

Feeling quite pleased with her generous gift, she faced forward, only to smack into a wall of heavenly-smelling lean muscle.

She squealed in surprise.

"Katrina," Evan said. "Thank heavens. We have been looking everywhere for you."

Ethan and Charles Taylor stood behind him, their brows furrowed with concern.

She held her finger to her lip, silencing them.

Ethan stepped toward her. "Where have you—"

She shushed them again and pointed toward the field. Stars. Please let them understand her pantomime and move away from the lovers. Besides, what would Evan and Ethan say of such things? Womanizers that they were—nay, had been—would they understand and accept their friend's predilections or treat him like a pariah?

"Wait." Evan pointed at one light blue and one dark blue waistcoat visible between the trees. "Someone is there."

Kat grabbed Evan's arm and tugged.

"Is that Springy and…? Bloody hell," Ethan said. "He's with Buttons. And they are… Well, I didn't see that coming."

"Then you are a bloody fool," Evan mouthed. "Let us give them privacy."

"I think it is quite beautiful and romantic," Kat whispered. "I believe they are in love." She met Ethan's gaze. "Everyone should choose who they love. You chose Anna despite your not being entirely suited."

Ethan scratched his head, then sighed. "Let us give them privacy."

The four of them were headed toward the field when a loud laugh cut through the silence. Katrina knew that maniacal chuckle. She winced in horror.

"Hell and damnation," Evan said as he turned and dashed in the direction they'd just come. Cursing, Ethan followed him. By the time Katrina and Charles caught up to them, they bookended Alexander and Buttons. Unfortunately, Lord Greyson stood with them.

Greyson grinned wickedly. "Well, well, well. The things one finds when engaged in a daily constitutional. How delicious. The Earl of Wellspring is a molly. Oh, how my mother will enjoy this salacious news." He rubbed his hands together as he winked at Alexander. "How much might this tidbit be worth? For I doubt you want news of your behavior to get out."

Poor Alexander. Kat would stand up for him, as well as for Mother's beloved Buttons. She would not allow the marquess to do to these men what he had done to her and Evan.

She inserted herself between Greyson and his newest victims. Alexander paled as he gasped for breath. Buttons's face turned red, and unshed tears glistened in his eyes.

"I will not allow it," Kat said. "Leave them be. You… you evil…"

There was not a cruel enough word to capture Lord Greyson's diabolical nature.

Her brother grabbed her around the waist and tugged her away from the fray. As soon as he let go of her, she rushed back to jam her finger in the odious man's chest.

"You are a wretched, vile, repugnant monster. An unwelcome beast."

"Katrina, no." Alexander shook his head. "You cannot protect us."

"Katrina, come," Ethan said.

She was not a child who needed protection. She was capable of fighting her own battles as well as championing for those around her who were being mistreated. How dare Greyson take the special moment away from two remarkable men.

She pushed Ethan's hand away and stared into the marquess's eyes. "When women see you coming, we run the other way—all of us—as fast as we can."

"Is that so?" He glared from his beady, soulless eyes.

This time, Evan clasped her forearm. "I've got this," he said gently.

Nay. She had this. She swished his arm away. To her surprise, he hummed in appreciation as if proud of her. Thereupon, side by side, she and Evan stared down their enemy.

"What do you bloody want this time?" Evan asked.

Satan chuckled. "What I've always wanted. For the lovely Lady Katrina to spend time with me." He tapped his finger to his chin. "Just think of the scandal. And a domestic servant to boot. I hear they lock away the lower class who bugger men. Lady Katrina, I'd say this secret is worth—" He stared at her stay-less bosom and licked his lips.

"You bloody fool." Evan took a step back, then lunged forward. His fist landed under Greyson's jaw. The marquess toppled to the side and hit the ground with a thud.

"Ouch," her brother said.

"Too bad." Taylor cringed. Thereupon, whistling a cheery tune, he strutted away from his companion, eventually disappearing from sight.

The snarling marquess used his sleeve to wipe the crimson liquid dripping from his nose. "You will be sorry. I will ruin you all."

Did the man not understand that he was friendless, lying on the ground in front of the prince's cousins, an earl, and a seething Eaton?

Lord Greyson climbed onto his feet and pulled his shoulders back. "Oh, the secrets I have on each and every one of you."

"Humph," Evan grunted as he pulled his arm back and pummeled the marquess's nose. Then, his jaw. And violent stars above! First, one cheek, then the other.

Whimpering, Greyson crumpled to the ground and folded into a ball. Evan crouched down to the defeated man's level.

"Mayhap, you should reconsider your threats."

"Fine. You win, Eaton. I am done. Done with you and Lady Katrina. And finished with Wellspring."

Stars, Evan was heroic and brave and a million wonderful things.

Evan growled in Greyson's face, "Do not make me seek you out again." He stood and brushed his hands back and forth. Thereupon, he turned on his heel and strutted back the way they'd come.