Noble Scoundrel - Amy Sandas Page 0,75

atop her head, she tried to tell herself what happened between her and Hale hadn’t been as alarming as she was making it out to be.

The attempt failed immediately.

Of course it was alarming! When she’d claimed it changed nothing, she’d been lying through her teeth. And he’d known it. The look on his face when he’d told her in that growly voice of his that they’d be finishing what they’d started had melted her to the core.

If what they’d done on that floor had been just the beginning, she sure as hell wanted more.

But how much more?

Katherine might have had a rather secluded country life before coming to London, but she wasn’t naïve or unaware of greater society’s rules and expectations regarding the more intimate acts that could occur between two people. Especially in regard to women. And even more so for a woman of her social standing where personal relationships were most often handled as transactions to improve the family’s wealth or influence. In such a world, a woman’s indiscretion could be ruinous and unforgivable. That the governance and consequences of sexual behavior should be so different for a man than for a woman was just one example of how men felt they could and should manage the female experience.

It was a ridiculous and antiquated notion. She was quite capable of deciding the course of her own life. And that included whether or not she take a lover. Or a husband for that matter. And who that person might be.

Having finished washing, she rose from the tub and began to dry herself with a large warmed towel. After crossing to her wardrobe, she chose a day gown in a lovely blue. As she dressed, she finally acknowledged what really had her insides all twisted up and fluttery.

It wasn’t society’s judgment or even her concern that what had occurred with Hale might interfere with his role as Frederick’s bodyguard. She had no doubt in his dedication to ensure her brother’s safety.

What truly worried her was the suspicion that her feelings for the man went well beyond the fierce heat of lust he inspired.

And she had no idea how to feel about that.

FREDERICK WAS ALREADY in the dining room when she arrived though she’d managed to ready herself and get downstairs a full five minutes before the appointed hour. She could tell immediately by the look on his face he was excited about something. It had been so long since she’d observed the light of inspiration and expectation in his dark eyes that she experienced an instant rush of wary hope.

“Good afternoon, Frederick,” she greeted warmly as she took a seat across the table from him.

“Hello, Kit. You look very nice today.” He gave an assessing tilt of his head. “Quite pretty, actually. Have you been outside?”

“Not today. Why?”

Her brother shrugged. “There’s just a heightened shade of pink in your cheeks and an unusual brightness in your eyes. Are you feeling ill?”

“Not at all.” Katherine glanced down as she smoothed a wrinkle from the tablecloth. “It must be the shade of my gown.”

“Maybe.” He sounded unconvinced.

Unsettled by the thought that her brother might be able to detect the very emotions she was struggling to understand, Katherine was grateful to have the moment interrupted by the timely arrival of their food.

Their conversation started out casually as Katherine asked how he’d been doing in his various self-directed studies and then inquired after Claire. Though she visited the girl every so often, she was afraid to overwhelm the shy child when she’d already had so many changes she’d had to adjust to recently. She was also aware of how frequently Hale could be found in the schoolroom, and she had no desire to interrupt the father and daughter’s time together.

Near the end of the meal, Katherine finally asked about the secret project her brother had been so diligently working on over the last week or so. As soon as it was mentioned, Frederick’s manner shifted and his eyes shimmered with excitement.

“It’s very nearly finished, actually.” He leaned forward with an expectant smile brightening his features. “Would you like to see it?”

“Are you joking?” she exclaimed with a laugh. “I’ve been dying to see what you’ve been so focused on.”

A few minutes later, Frederick led her into the guest bedroom beside his, which he’d converted into a workroom of sorts. The bed had been replaced with a large drafting table upon which were spread several blueprints and architectural sketches.

“Keep in mind that it will still