31. Chapter Thirty-one

Much to Kat's surprise, the ride to the East Midlands was hardly tedious or uncomfortable, and the time passed quickly. How thrilling to learn that Evan wanted to pursue his art, because she wanted to teach art. Her brother nodded in what seemed to be approval, and he didn't remind her that teaching might be an improper goal for someone of her status. The four of them also discussed plans to petition parliament for the rights of people to love whomever they choose, despite their gender. In between their deep conversations, Kat read or worked on her needlepoint with Anna.

Evan sat across from Kat, his scorching gaze making her ache for his touch. Unfortunately, her brother sat diagonally, his glare tempering her libidinous thoughts. At least Ethan's mood was much improved. He'd stopped bellowing and talked to her as if she were his equal. And Ethan and Evan laughed as much as they had before she'd ruined their friendship.

Each afternoon, they'd pull to the side of the road and picnic on tea, cheese, bread, and dried meats. Their driver and the two footmen accompanying them joined them for the companionable meal. At night, they'd stay at comfortable roadside inns.

And yet…

Curling up beneath the counterpane alone in a strange room brought with it a torturous ache between Kat's thighs. Her feeble touches did little to curb her needs. She craved Evan. The way he'd whispered naughty words in her ear. How he licked her feminine folds until she came apart. The memory of his hard length deep inside her….

But there was nothing to be done about her lascivious feelings since her brother made sure she and Evan were chaperoned every second. She simply had to make do with Evan's knowing grin and heated gaze. That and her own unsatisfying explorations. Once they reached Trent Castle, and Ethan was preoccupied, she and Evan could sneak off and make love until she lost herself.

The swaying carriage lulled Kat into a dreamy, half-asleep, half-awake state. Warm, cozy, and fuzzy-brained, she drifted…

The carriage jolted her awake. Heart racing, she sat up.

"'Twas only a stone beneath the wheel," Evan said, his gaze smoldering.

Instinct told her he'd been watching her sleep. Her belly quivered.

Ethan leaned between them and cleared his throat. "I believe we have reached our destination."

She watched over Ethan's shoulder as Evan's gaze switched from heavy-lidded to wide-eyed.

He peered out the window and smiled. "Aw, my happy little village."

Kat's heart warmed until she thought it might burst from her overflowing adoration for this man who loved his home and family.

Looking out her window, she absorbed every detail. A charming pub, an exquisite church with spiraling conicals, Tudor-style storefronts, colorful flowers, and trees as old as time dotted the main street.

"You can see Trent Castle from here." Evan pointed to a four-story building perched on the hill above them. One majestic turret reached into the sky. "I hope you are not disappointed. It is quite small by castle standards. No moat or balustrade. Only two hundred years old. Actually, more of a manor home with a huge turret. But ‘tis home."

As the carriage climbed, Kat took in the Gothic stained-glass windows. The sunlight played off the colorful panels, creating an artist's dream. An old, rather charming stone chapel sat off to one side.

"Not disappointing in the least," Kat said. "'Tis really quite lovely."

"I find it spectacular," Anna said.

"Not nearly as dank as Hockley Castle," Ethan said.

Evan's grin grew. "I am so glad you all think so."

Kat absorbed Evan's contagious excitement. Deep in her soul, she knew her new life awaited her in that magnificent castle on the hill.

A handsome boy of about thirteen or fourteen and two barking dogs greeted Kat's party in the foyer.

"Evan," the boy cried out as he wrapped himself around Evan's hips.

"Jimmy, my boy, you have grown a foot in the last few weeks." Evan ruffled the boy's hair.

Jimmy pulled his shoulders back proudly. "Only one inch. Alistair measured me. Said if I keep growing this fast, he'll have to poke a hole in the roof." Chuckling, he let go of Evan to bow, then extended his hand to Ethan. "You must be Lord Ethan, the duke's brother. You look exactly like him. Did ye know he and I have become best mates?"

Before Ethan could shake hands with Jimmy, Evan locked his forearm around the boy's neck. "I am your best mate."

Who would have guessed that Evan tittered? But he did—quite adorably—as he and Jimmy tussled. Meanwhile, the barking Toonies ran circles around them.

After moments of absolute mayhem, Evan held his hands in the air. "I surrender."

Jimmy raised an arm high, a stump where his hand should have been.

The old Katrina would have felt pity for the boy, fretting about how he would care for himself in this sometimes cruel world. But, the Kat who'd swum naked in the Atlantic and kicked a marquess in his testicles, felt only admiration for Jimmy. Exuding confidence and joy, half-gentleman, half-boy, he was a breath of fresh air. Undoubtedly, he would accomplish great things.

"I win. But only because you let me," Jimmy said.

"Because I didn't want Grandmother Louisa to hear the commotion, hurry down the stairs, have one of her spells, and break her hip. Last time, she knocked herself out cold." Evan exhaled a massive sigh. "This blasted floor is hard as hell."

"Lady Trent has not had a single episode since you left," Jimmy said. "She is so excited about Baby Will. She keeps sayin', ‘How fortunate that I have a new vinaigrette because I have no time for fainting or nonsense.' I think she even loosened her—" Jimmy pointed to his torso "—lady things."

Was the boy referencing stays in mixed company?

"'Tis about damn time," Evan said.

"That's what Georgie said," Jimmy declared. "She insists ladies should ‘burn the bloody things.'"

At least Jimmy had the decency to whisper the unseemly word. Georgiana had probably chanted it loudly.

Evan and Jimmy beamed at each other as they burst into laughter. Mayhap they shared a private joke involving women's undergarments, the dowager countess, and the duchess.

"How in the deuce did my grandmother convince Georgiana to have the baby here instead of at Hockley Castle?" Evan asked.

Jimmy shrugged. "I think because Georgie and William were afraid that if she went to their home, she'd never leave."

Evan laughed so hard he choked.

"But Evangeline doesn't mind Lady Trent living here. She reads to baby Ali every night, and she's a second grandmum to me."

"Jimmy's other grandmum is Mrs. Clayton." Evan licked his lips. "Yum."

This must be the same Mrs. Clayton who had ensnared Evan's devotion using her biscuits and pies.

"Evan is my other best mate. I am Lord Trent's ward." Jimmy motioned for everyone to lean in. "When the dowager countess isn't around, I call the earl Alistair."

Ethan grasped the boy's hand and pumped enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you, James Clayton. I have heard so much about you and what a promising student you are. Medical school is in your future, eh?"

"Right now, I am on my summer holiday. I plan to go to medical school someday. I probably can't be a surgeon." Jimmy held up his stump. "But I can still be a physician."

"My brother believes in you, James." Palm up, Ethan presented Anna. "This is my wife, Lady Harrington."

As Jimmy studied her, his confusion morphed into joy. "Anna! I knew you were coming, but I didn't recognize you in your fancy clothes. Even your hair is fancy."

"He is used to seeing me in a mob cap." Smiling, Anna patted at her coiffure. "Jimmy and I are old friends. When I visited Trent Castle with the duke and duchess, he looked out for me."

"We had a jolly time," Jimmy said. "I showed Anna, I mean Lady Harrington, all around the gardens. We went for walks with Duke and Lady. They were just puppies then. And we had winter picnics."

Kat had heard the tales of William and Georgiana's cross-country adventures, but she hadn't realized Anna had accompanied them.

Evan placed his hand behind Kat's back and gently nudged her forward. "This is William and Ethan's sister, Lady Katrina Harrington."

"Pleased to meet you, my lady." The adorable boy bowed for the third time. Then he grasped Kat's hand as if he'd known her his entire life. "Come on." He gently tugged. "Everyone is upstairs."

Kat tried hiding her awe at the delightful scene, but it was useless, so she gasped with delight. It wasn't just that the drawing room, with its forest green and rose upholstery and plush carpets, was beautiful and cozy, or that the stone fireplace juxtaposed against the crystal chandelier was charming—she'd grown up around finery. Her delight was due to the smiling people watching as she entered the room—the family of the man she loved, to be exact. Soon to be her family—fingers crossed.

A sprite of a woman with a toddler on her hip was the first to greet them. "Ali has missed you, Uncle Ev."

The child cooed as he reached for Evan.

He took the babe in his arms. "Is life boring without ol' fun Uncle Ev?" he asked in a baby voice.

Evan was so good with children. He'd make a wonderful father. In truth, he was exceedingly popular and likable. Everyone adored him. Well, everyone except bullying troublemakers and spoiled daughters of dukes until they'd experienced attitude adjustments.

Kat's womb tingled. Or, mayhap it was her maddening girl bits being unruly—again.

"I am Evangeline," the lovely woman said, "Evan's sister-in-law."

The elegantly dressed man who looked like a slightly older, slightly taller Evan, wrapping his arm around Evangeline's shoulder, had to be the earl.

"Harrington, it has been a couple of years." Evan's look-alike took Ethan's hand in his.

The introductions continued in a delightful whirlwind of smiling faces and animated conversations.

The Dowager Countess Trent was not nearly as intimidating as Kat had anticipated. She was gracious and warm, even saying, "Anna and Katrina, I do hope you make Trent Castle home during your stay."

There was the exceedingly handsome Stephen Eaton. Kat remembered him as a thoughtful teenager with the loveliest red hair. He'd grown into an impressive specimen with the physique of a Roman warrior. Of course, he'd married a woman as feminine as he was masculine. Her thick, dark locks cascaded past her shoulders, and her belly was round with child.

While the reunions and introductions continued, two ecstatic herding dogs ensured no one left the room. Anyone who tried received a nose poking their ankle.

"Where is Georgiana?" Evan eventually asked.

"She and His Grace are in the nursery," the elder Lady Trent said.

"I'll take them up. Come on." Jimmy waved his stump, inviting the newcomers to follow.

The pups enthusiastically trotted after him.

Ethan grinned at Evan. "You had better prepare yourself, for I shall be little Will's fun uncle."

"The hell you will." Laughing and knocking each other out of the way, Evan and Ethan raced to catch up to Jimmy.

Anna clasped Kat's elbow and whispered, "It brings me great joy to see they are mates again."

Kat nodded.

"And do not worry, Ethan is coming around. I believe he means to talk to William about your courtship. Officially, of course, and with a chaperone."

Kat knew Ethan would come around. Still, as if her clicking heels kept her from hearing correctly, she halted mid-step. "What?"

Anna squeezed her arm. "Come. Let us go protect our poor nephew from his foolish uncles. Heaven knows what stunts they will get up to without us to keep an eye on them."

One-handed handstands? A concert of lewd bar songs? Who could toss baby Will the highest?

Stars! They'd better hurry.