Independent Brake (The Dominion Falls Series) Page 5

  At least now she knew neither Delphine or Patrick were lying when they said there was much pleasure to be had. Perhaps that alone would make the full experience less uncomfortable the first time.

  When a knock came at the door, she drew herself to sitting and tugged the sheet to her chin. “Come in.”

  “Good morning.” Patrick stepped into the room. “I thought you might be ready for some breakfast.”

  “I believe I am. What time is it?”

  “Near 10 o’clock.”

  Katherine gaped, even as Patrick’s lips quirked in a grin. “How could it be so late? I shouldn’t have been here so long.”

  “Of course you should have. You were up rather late. Did you have somewhere to be?”

  “I...” Katherine shook her head. “I’ve missed Sunday services, but I suppose otherwise I haven’t anywhere to be. It’s seems rather lazy and—scandalous to lounge about on a Sunday morning.”

  “You were trying for scandalous, weren’t you?” Patrick leaned against the doorframe. “Are you regretting your decision?”

  Memories of the night before flickered through her mind and she shook her head before she could put much thought to the situation. “No. Not at all.”

  “Good to hear. If you’ll get yourself dressed, we’ll have breakfast and discuss what happens next.”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  “Not at all.” He winked. “Just the opposite.”

  Katherine glanced at her dress where it draped over a nearby chair. She worried her lip between her teeth, and fiddled with the edge of the sheet.

  “You do realize you’re still in your corset, and I saw far more last night than you’d reveal getting into the dress.”

  Her cheeks burned and she dropped her face into her hand. “Of course.”

  “You don’t need to be nervous. I’m not going to attack you; I’m too hungry for real food for that right now.”

  “Reassuring.” She slipped out from between the sheets and grabbed her dress. Once she’d stepped into her petticoats, she glanced his direction. The man hadn’t stopped watching her one second. “Are you certain you’re too hungry?”

  “Not anymore.” In an instant his wicked grin returned. “What about you? Are you hungry for more?”

  Excitement fluttered in her belly. She nodded even as she ducked her head in a hint of sheepishness. “I believe I am.”

  “I must ask. Now that you’ve spent the night it occurs to me we didn’t discuss how we wish to handle this. You claim to not want more, but shall we continue our interactions as mere acquaintances, or shall we attempt some level of friendship?”

  “I’m not certain, actually.” She tugged on her bodice, but before she could search for a button hook, he was behind her buttoning it for her.

  “It can get messy if there are emotions involved.”

  “Which is why men turn to whores.”

  “Quite true. Although only some men are fool enough to fall for their charms.” He finished buttoning and set his hands on her shoulders. “Whatever you wish to do.”

  “I’m rather tempted to remain as mere acquaintances.”

  “Then that is what we shall remain.”

  “Unfortunately...”

  He brushed aside some of her unruly curls to meet her gaze in the mirror. One brow lifted as his lips pursed. “Yes?”

  “I believe we’ve already crossed a line. I know you have a sister you miss.”

  “One detail that can be dismissed.”

  She wondered if it could be. Something about him drew her, not as a possible husband or anything of the sort, but more as a friend. Much like Delphine. Still, he had a point. Friendship might make things messy. She nodded. “Acquaintances, then.”

  He led her toward the door. “Fair enough. Shall we dine?”

  “Perhaps we shouldn’t. If we’re to remain as we have been, I should probably go fetch food on my own.” The moment they stepped from her room, the smell of potatoes and eggs hit her, and without warning her stomach growled. “Oh dear.”

  He laughed. “Stay. Eat. Acquaintances dine together on occasion. We’ll just discuss politics or something else equally unpalatable.”

  “Perhaps even argue to further cement our personal dissidence?”

  “Ah yes, it is as if you’ve read my thoughts, my fair Kat.”

  She couldn’t stop her smile. “I’m certain we can find something to disagree on. What do you think of the suffrage movement?”

  “I’m all for it.”

  She stopped short, even as he kept walking. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “From what I’ve seen women have their fair share of opinions. They aren’t always wrong either. Why do you think I enjoy women so much?”

  “For their sex.”

  “There is that, too.” He took her elbow and began to guide her toward the dining room. “I find that most men lack confidence, so they must find it by lording over women. I have no such need.”

  “But you go and break their hearts. Isn’t that doing just what you say?”

  “That is something that can hardly be helped. I have never deceived a woman as to what I was. Not once I have a made a false promise or lured an unwilling woman by deceptive means. I’m as honest as you were with me. If she were to never come to my bed, then so be it.”

  “I’m rather confused, then.” Katherine sat in the chair he held out for her.

  “I can’t help that I enjoy the physical pleasures of a woman. If a woman wants to give herself to me in hopes of obtaining something I’ve told her I’m unwilling to give her, that is her fault, not mine. I believe nine out of ten of the women I have courted were the ones to leave when they realized that I wouldn’t marry them just because we’ve lain together. Your friend Melanie is among them, you know.”

  “Melanie?” She set down the silverware she’d just picked up. After Melanie’s reaction to Katherine’s admittance of wanting to pursue a physical relationship with Patrick, maybe it wasn’t such a surprise. “I had no idea.”

  “I don’t court a woman to bed her and leave her cold. I enjoy the courting. I like having company for a show, or a party, a pretty woman on your arm and fair conversation is better than boredom.” He scooped some eggs into his mouth and chewed. “I don’t wish to be married, but I won’t deny myself pleasure either. Much like yourself.”

  “I didn’t realize.” She ate several bites of food, closing her eyes as the delicious flavor filled her mouth. “Oh, this is delicious.”

  “Mary is a marvelous cook. It’ll be a loss for me when she marries in a few months and leaves my employ. I have yet to find someone to compare.”

  She glanced over at him and grinned. “Maybe you should learn to cook yourself.”

  “Not likely. I’m not even capable of making a pot of tea.”

  “Then I guess you’d best work fast to find someone.”

  “I’ve been trying.” He sighed. “Not much luck. You wouldn’t know anyone, would you?”

  “Actually, I might.” Katherine knew that Miss Stapleton had a few women that trained as servants for employment as well. There’d been a girl a few months younger than Katherine herself that was an excellent cook. “I’m not sure if she’s employed yet, but I’ll make an inquiry for you.”

  “I’m much obliged.”

  “Make no mention of it.”

  Patrick smiled and continued to eat. After a few moments he spoke again. “When do you wish to have your next lesson?”

  “I’m not certain. I don’t think it would be wise of me to visit when spending the night would be required again. I don’t think Miss Cooper is going to take to kindly to a young lady being absent all evening.”

  “You’re paying for the room, you’ll do as you wish. Come now, don’t disappoint me, Kat. Keep your spunk.”

  Katherine pondered a moment and set down her silverware. After she’d dabbed at her napkin, she met his gaze. “All right. Tuesday evening.”

  “Not tomorrow?”

&n
bsp; “I have plans tomorrow evening.”

  “Ah yes. You’re meeting with the suffragettes. Delphine goes regularly on Monday’s to Sadie’s.”

  “So Tuesday, then?”

  “I look forward to it.”

  * * * *

  For two weeks Katherine went to Patrick’s several nights a week. Her weekend evenings and nights were all spent under his roof and his tutelage. It was their third rendezvous before he breeched the walls of her innocence, and once he had she wondered why they’d waited so long.

  Already she felt she was earning the nickname he’d granted her. Kat. She understood why Delphine kept a lover, and her friend was enjoying Kat’s transformation as well if her frequent requests for more information were any indication.

  On a Thursday afternoon, they walked together to a nearby café for lunch. Delphine kept a tight hold of Katherine’s arm. “So he didn’t agree to your next meeting? Well, why in heavens not? I thought he thoroughly enjoyed your company as you did his.”

  “I believe he had other plans. I think I heard him mention something about escorting one Miss Elizabeth Darnell to the opera.”

  “Miss Elizabeth Darnell? She’s rather high up the societal ranks. Might he be after marriage after all?”

  “No.” Katherine sat at a table by her. “Every indication is that he doesn’t. He’s friendly with his servants, so they keep him company. Women rarely turn him down when he requires company for a night on the town.”

  “How fortunate for him,” Delphine chuckled, but interrupted herself when the waitress walked up. They placed their orders, and once they were alone again, Delphine leaned closer. “So what new lesson did you have last night?”

  “I’d call it a review of all our previous lessons.” Kat bit her lip to hide her grin. In a weak attempt to cover it further, she sipped her water. “Before we move further.”

  “Further, hm? How exciting.”

  Kat smiled into her cup before she took another long drink. These first two weeks had been tame, he’d informed her. Opening her up to pleasure and the pure enjoyment of being with a man. Next he’d help her explore more creative, enticing, and titillating ways to enjoy each other. “I admit I’m curious what he means. It’s been wonderful. How can there be more?”

  “Oh, sweetie. You’re just getting started.”

  “That’s what he says.” Kat leaned closer. “I believe he knows I am curious by nature; he’s helped me just enough to make me want more.”

  “Once you get a taste of the good stuff, you always want more.”

  “Then I fear I’m in trouble.”

  “Or in for a lot of fun.” Delphine settled back in her seat when their food arrived. “So, now that he has returned to flirting with everyone, are you certain you can handle this? No jealousy?”

  “None. I’ll only be upset if he ends our lessons for an extended period of time. I wouldn’t know where to begin to find another like him.”

  “Very good. I worried once you became involved in this scheme you would lose your heart too. Even with that head on your shoulders, sometimes things get messy.”

  “I fear I am starting to like him.”

  “Oh dear.”

  “As a friend.” Kat giggled when Delphine cast a glare her direction. “What?”

  “Don’t play tricks on me, girlie.” Delphie tapped her hand in a mock slap. “That isn’t nice. I thought I was going to have to talk you out of love.”

  “No. However, Patrick has surprised me. He’s rather a good man under the roguish behavior. I rather like him. I have a feeling he likes you too. We could all be good friends outside of the intrigue of relationships.”

  “Is that so?”

  “I wouldn’t lie to you, Delphie.”

  “Then we shall see. Maybe it is possible.”

  “Of course it is.” Kat paused her argument when a familiar carriage pulled up outside the café. “Oh.”

  “Oh? What, Kat?”

  “It’s Patrick.” Kat grinned when the door to the carriage opened, but Patrick didn’t emerge. She furrowed her brow. “What is he doing?”

  Patrick stuck his hand out far enough to beckon her toward the carriage.

  Delphine chuckled. “I guess you’re about to find out about what more there could be. In the middle of the day no less.”

  “He isn’t serious?” Even as she protested, Kat rose to her feet.

  “Go on, you silly girl. I’ll pay for our food, so long as I get details later.” Delphine pushed her toward the carriage before she sat again.

  Kat only hesitated a moment longer before rushing to the carriage. The moment the door closed, it started moving again and Kat tumbled back right onto Patrick’s lap. “Oh!”

  “Hello to you, Kat.”

  She’d not even recovered when his hand found its way under her voluminous skirts. “Patrick. Where are we going?”

  “Everywhere.”

  “What?”

  “All over the city. There are no stops on this ride.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He tugged her close when she tried to slip off his lap. “I thought we might enjoy some mid-day pleasure before I dropped you off at work.”

  “Here?”

  “Here.”

  Common decency tried to form a protest, but it died on her lips at the excited hum that buzzed along her flesh. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “In a carriage. How exactly will this work?”

  “How do you think, my clever kitten?”

  She pushed aside his arms so she could move freely. With a little freedom established she was able to sit opposite him. She met his gaze, and pondered. “My petticoats could be an issue.”

  “Remove them if you must, or we’ll work around them.”

  “I’m very eager to see how you manage that.”

  “I thought you might be.” He tugged her toward him. “Turn around.”

  Her breath hitched, but she nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  * * * *

  Once again Kat found herself in the inappropriate lap of luxury. Her best intentions had been to leave before curfew the night before, but Patrick’s best intentions had left her way too late to make it home in time.

  She wondered how much it had to do with his current attempt at courting. Once again he’d found himself with a rather high and proper society girl, one with possibilities of a large dowry and vast family wealth bestowed on her lucky future husband. However, by all accounts, the lovely Miss Judith Leek was also notoriously prudish.

  For her last suitor she had not even allowed a chaste kiss, and so far had denied even Patrick the pleasure of that. When Kat had questioned him to his continuing pursuit of the stodgy young woman, he’d offered his best wicked smirk and replied, “It’s the challenge, my dear.”

  For her part, Kat would have felt quite guilty over her role in Patrick’s life as he pursued Miss Leek, except that she knew Judith was allowing several suitors at once. As it stood, when Patrick became serious about any young lady, Kat stepped back and allowed the courtship to evolve.

  Somehow over the course of their continuing liaisons, Kat found herself not falling for the man, but instead attracted to him as a friend. He was uncommonly funny and had a secret kindness that Kat appreciated. She’d often told him that if he let the women he courted see that side he’d find one that would wait for him.

  To which he’d pointed out that the kindest thing he could do for them was to let them only see the rake. For marriage was not in his future any more than it was in Kat’s. In that regard he did have an annoyingly valid point.

  Kat could hardly believe that three months had passed since she had first met Patrick with her proposition. After the first two weeks their meetings had been at turns adventurous and she felt every inch a woman in his presence.

  In the dim morning light, she turned her head to take in the man that lay beside her. Oh, she could see how so many fell in love with him, for his charms at his most devilish were unequaled.

 
One of his eyes opened partway, and his rakish grin spread across his features. “Now how did this happen?” As he spoke, he slid his hand across her waist and pulled her close. Before she could answer, his fingers trailed down her belly to tease her core.

  She gasped, and bit her lip as she tried to hold the moan at bay. “It’s your fault. You’re the one that fell asleep in here.”

  “My fault, hmm? I think it’s yours. You were insatiable, and you wore me out.”

  “I was?” She gripped his wrist and pulled his hand away, with a great deal of regret. Her brief attempt to pin him down turned into a full on tousle. The rolled back and forth until Kat came out on top, which she was pretty sure he let happen. “You were the one that kept me here past curfew when I tried to leave. You were the insatiable one.”

  “Fine. Your womanly curves and cries and desperate pleas, your dew-soft skin and vibrant hair, your strong and soft body touching mine, wrapped around me, makes me want more. There, it is still your fault.”

  She snorted. “That was almost poetic. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were wooing me, but somehow I doubt as much.”

  “Maybe I’m just attempting to coerce you into another lesson before you leave for work. You are right there, and I am right here.”

  “But I must be at work in less than an hour, Mr. Warner.” She pressed her hand over his mouth when he began to protest. “And I must wash up so I don’t smell like a whorehouse, get dressed, eat, and tame this unruly head of hair. So no, that does not leave plenty of time.”

  He scrunched his brows together in a disapproving glare.

  “Oh, hush. You aren’t mad. You’re only disappointed you failed to win this time?”

  Soon as her hand moved, he spoke, “Who says I’ve failed?”

  She leaped off the bed before he could grab her and snatched her clothes from the floor. Pure luck got her to his personal washroom with the door closed before he’d caught her. Still chuckling, she leaned against the locked door. “I’ll only unlock when you swear to behave, sir.”

  “Then I guess you’ll miss work—for I’ll never swear.”

  Despite the threat, Kat knew Patrick would never keep her from her job. Unlike him, she hadn’t vast wealth enough for a personal washroom on the second floor of a home. She sighed as she filled the basin with water. Every time she came into the washroom she thought of her parents and how eager to throw around their wealth they’d once been.