The first lesson in the library had been only a minor success in terms of teaching. So much of the tension that had been building up between Katherine and Lord Garret in the previous months had been dispelled within moments, before momentarily returning and then being dispelled again. In Katherine’s opinion they were feeling each other out, not unlike animals might do in the wild.
And they had almost kissed.
Katherine tried to banish the thought from her mind, thinking it an accident that she and Lord Garret had leaned in as they had. She felt him drawing near, and every ounce of her body wished to do the same. So, Katherine had leaned in to invite what she thought was to be a kiss.
As she did so, Katherine had closed her eyes and felt the blood coursing through her veins. She wanted that kiss so desperately; and that’s when Nigel came through the door, no doubt frustrated that Katherine and Lord Garret had waited so long. Nigel didn’t even seem to acknowledge the kiss. That was a great reassurance for Katherine, for if word got to the duke, Katherine would be beside herself with worry.
“Be seated,” Lord Garret said, pulling out Katherine’s chair.
“I thank you,” she replied.
As Lord Garret walked around the great table to find his own seat, Katherine watched him. He was a rather large man and she had always been impressed by his form, but she noted that Lord Garret had taken off his overcoat for supper, revealing his white shirt and blue waistcoat. In this state, Katherine could see the definition of his muscles more clearly through his shirt.
The upper body strength was an anomaly to her. How was it that he was such a strong man? Usually, men of that size worked the land or engaged in some other line of labour that created such a powerful structure. Her heart beat wildly in her chest once more.
Lord Garret seated himself across the table and seemed leagues away. Katherine began to laugh at how humorous it was.
“I haven’t even begun to speak Italian and you’re already laughing,” Lord Garret protested.
“It’s merely because,” Katherine replied, “I fear that we shall have to send notes across the table in order to communicate!”
Lord Garret knitted his brow, no doubt evaluating the problem.
“Come,” he said, motioning towards the edge of the table. Lord Garret seated himself at the head, where the duke normally sat, and Katherine moved just adjacent to that seat. “This is preferable.”
After they had rearranged themselves the servants quickly moved the place settings, taking great pains to ensure that everything was in the right order. Nigel even came over with his measuring stick to make sure that the wine glasses were the proper distance from the plates.
“Are you now satisfied?” Lord Garret asked.
“Very much so.”
As was the custom, the soup course was served first and it was cream of corn. The corn was delightfully sweet and the soup not too heavy. It was served with charming rosemary rolls and butter.
“Do you care for white or red?” A servant asked.
“White, I thank you.”
Katherine felt momentarily awkward. She was being treated like the lady of the house, which she most certainly was not. Were the servants going to think less of her for acting out such a role?
“Tell me of your family,” Lord Garret said, his tone becoming more official. Perhaps he, too, knew that he had to play a certain role while the servants were about.
“They’re all quite lovely,” Katherine said, the very thought of them making her homesickness momentarily return. Although Katherine did note that during that time in the library, not even one thought of her family had popped into her head.
“Siblings?”
“I have a younger sister. She can sometimes be a nuisance, but I love her dearly. We were raised with much guidance but very little control. We were allowed to play and roam about as we pleased.”
“That explains much,” Lord Garret replied, lifting his brow.
“What do you mean?”
“Your wildness. Your unorthodox manner with the children. All of it stems from this upbringing.”
Katherine didn’t know whether to defend herself or not. She felt past the point of needing to defend herself with Lord Garret. But she noted that his mood and demeanor seemed to swing like a pendulum for reasons that she could not understand.
“Yes, I would agree that it has,” Katherine said modestly.
“Would you raise your children the same way?” Lord Garret asked.
“I think that I would. A good education begins with love and freedom.”
Katherine could sense that Lord Garret was grappling with what to say next. She knew that her notions of learning and growing as a child were different from his own, and they had varied backgrounds to contend with.
“Let’s not talk of it further.”
Katherine could tell that it was still the one issue that got under Lord Garret’s skin. He was not able to relent, and she sensed that he didn’t wish to oppose her either. For that reason, he kept silent. Katherine decided it best to change the subject immediately.
“Although my father is a baron, we always lived comfortably and sensibly with a minimum of funds.”
“That shows your father’s wisdom.”
“And my mother’s,” Katherine added. “She has her hands on the purse just as much as my father.”
“Our family has always had exceptional means,” Lord Garret went on. “And without my assistance, my brother would spend it all.”
“The duke does not seem frivolous.”
“He does not seem so, and that’s because I have reined him in,” Lord Garret assured her.
“The fish course,” Nigel said as the servants entered with a tray of fish and assorted vegetables accompanying it. The soup bowls were removed and the meal was served.
“You certainly don’t have extravagant tastes,” Katherine said, noting how simple the fish was.
“I think there’s no sense in extravagance. Life does not require it. Were Bonhomie mine, there would be none of the luxuries that are unnecessary.”
“Do you wish to marry one day?” Katherine asked, and was surprised that she had managed to ask such a thing. Lord Garret, in kind, seemed taken aback.
“Now you’re beginning to speak like my brother,” Lord Garret protested.
“You’re right. That was me being forward again.”
“No, no. I can answer the question,” Lord Garret said. “I do wish to marry one day, when I feel settled.”
“And children?”
“No.”
“Why ever not?” Katherine asked.
“Because, the woman that I shall marry will be my greatest love,” he replied, looking intently into Katherine’s eyes. “And I will not wish to share her.”
A warm flush came to Katherine’s cheek. He was looking right through her, yet again. Katherine looked down at her fish and considered how she might reply.
“But children are angels.”
“They can be devils,” Lord Garret said. “I’m content enough with my niece and nephew. I will look after them for the rest of my days. I don’t care for much more.”
Katherine didn’t wish to argue with him. Lord Garret could have whatever opinion he was inclined to, and also, the evening had been so delightful in every way that Katherine didn’t wish to tarnish it with another argument. She did note that Lord Garret never asked her about her desire for children. Once he had given his answer, the conversation was moot.
The rest of the meal seemed like a kind of truce. Katherine was no longer going to quarrel and contest Lord Garret’s opinions, and it seemed as though he had come to the same decision about hers. Upon completing the meal, Katherine’s belly satisfied, she excused herself for the evening, even though she didn’t wish to go.
“I will retire to my book now,” Katherine said.
“More romance novels?” Lord Garret asked.
“No, I’m reading a bit of history. Since I was to purchase more books in
London, now I will be forced to read the dull books in the library,” Katherine quipped.
“It will be good for your mind.”
“I think so,” Katherine replied with a warm smile. Thoughts of their instigation of a kiss flooded back into her mind. Oh, how she wished that she was bold enough to lean in once more and invite the same. “I must go,” Katherine said abruptly, afraid of what she might do.
“If you must,” Lord Garret said softly.
As Katherine turned to walk away, she noted the disappointment in Lord Garret’s voice. She had to admit that she was disappointed as well. But Katherine reasoned that she couldn’t go about throwing herself into Lord Garret’s arms whenever she pleased. There was decorum that one must adhere to. Still, it was all that she desired.
The late night passed rather quickly. Anticipation for the day to come filled her, and it was an explanation for why Katherine enjoyed such a restful, immediate sleep. Upon waking the next morning, she could feel her feet walking hurriedly to the breakfast room. She couldn’t wait to see Lord Garret. When she discovered him seated there in the morning light, sipping his tea, Katherine was beyond delighted.
The day carried on in much the same way as the previous one had. Katherine and Lord Garret spent time together whenever they could. They took their tea on the veranda and watched as Hans worked in the garden. Lord Garret scolded her for looking at Hans in such a way, and Katherine protested. There was teasing and pleasant conversation, all while the overriding tension of them being in the same physical space did not dissipate. If anything, for Katherine, it grew.
There was a walk in the garden following tea, and once the evening came, they both met in the library for their lesson. On that occasion, Katherine had a very serious lesson plan in order to not get caught up in the physical tension and truly focus on the task at hand. Lord Garret matched her seriousness, and that’s why, when she got down to teaching, he almost immediately critiqued her schooling as though protesting the fact that she was being serious in the first place.
“You’re a pedagogical nightmare,” Lord Garret protested.
“Nay, sir,” Katherine countered.
“Your methods would make the professors at Oxford weep!” Lord Garret went on.
It was an odd mix and delightful teasing and true argument. Although Katherine defended herself, she didn’t have it in her to be indignant. She was far too pleased to merely be in Lord Garret’s company.
Upon taking dinner once more, Katherine and Lord Garret sat in the seats they had used the evening before; the meal was served, and their quarreling during the lesson was already amended. And although the meal was divine yet again, and the company pleasant, Katherine noted that Lord Garret was a bit more silent than he had been earlier. Had their fun quarrel truly offended him? Katherine was unsure.
“Everything is all right now?” Katherine asked.
“Of course,” Lord Garret replied curtly.
“I did not mean to call you too conservative.”
“It’s fine. Let us forget it,” Lord Garret replied.
Katherine didn’t wish to press it any further. She was learning that, when Lord Garret was in one of his moods, it was perhaps best to keep one’s silence. Even the touching and near-kissing that she had enjoyed the day before were absent, but Katherine reasoned that, even though she yearned for those things, perhaps it was for the best that both of them take a step back.
After dinner was concluded, Katherine dismissed herself as she had done the night before, only this time, instead of seeing the disappointment in Lord Garret’s eyes, there was an intensity to his gaze which she could not quite understand.
“I thank you again for a lovely day,” Katherine said with a bow of the head.
“The pleasure was all mine,” Lord Garret replied. “It’s beginning to torture me . . .”
“What, my Lord?”
A long silence followed.
“Nothing,” Lord Garret said, dismissing the thought. “Good night.”
Although there were countless questions in Katherine’s mind, she decided that the best thing to do would be to retire to her room and read her book, taking her mind off the matter. It was a gorgeous night out and Katherine admired the twinkling stars through her bedroom window. Lying upon her bed, Katherine had her book in her hands and she was ready to enjoy a bit of history whilst in repose. Just then, there was a knock at her door.
“Come in, Sofia,” Katherine said, and to her surprise, the person who walked through the door was not Sofia but Lord Garret. “Your Grace,” Katherine said, tossing her book aside and quickly getting out of bed. She felt embarrassed to be discovered in such a way. Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest. Why had Lord Garret followed her to her room?
As soon as she was standing, Katherine felt as Lord Garret came right up to her, placing one hand behind her head and the other around her waist. He brought his lips to hers passionately, hungrily, as though he were drinking her in. There was no time to protest or pull away, nor any desire to. Katherine felt the same deep yearning that Lord Garret had just brought into her room. She succumbed to his kiss and even matched his force with her own.
Within moments, Katherine felt as the duke’s brother picked her up in his arms and turned her around. He collapsed onto the bed on his back, carrying her along with him so that she was on top. No words were spoken as Katherine pushed her hips into his, feeling his rock-hardness and moaning at the sensation of it.
Lord Garret began to undress her in no uncertain terms. Before Katherine knew it, she found herself only in her undershorts and camisole top, which Lord Garret quickly removed, taking her right breast into his mouth, followed by the left. Katherine felt Lord Garret’s hand come down to the warm folds between her legs and she moaned once more. Her breathing was remarkably heavy, and from lying on Lord Garret’s massive chest, she could feel that his was the same.
All that remained of Lord Garret’s attire were his trousers. In all the intensity, yearning, and voracity of where they found themselves, there was no ability to stop or take one’s time. Lord Garret quickly removed his trousers and that’s when his manhood was released.
A shudder of fear came up Katherine’s spine, until this was replaced by a tantalising need like she had never experienced before. Katherine got on top of him, instinct leading the way, and felt as his manhood touched the dampness of her womanhood. Both called out, closing their eyes in ecstasy. Should they go further? It seemed impossible to stop, and in that moment, there was nothing else in the world that Katherine wanted.
Lord Garret brought down his hand, taking his manhood and leading it straight up into her. Katherine was eager and hungry to feel him inside of her, but this was the first moment in which Lord Garret halted her.
“Slowly,” he said, concern and hunger written on his face. He gazed deeply into her eyes in anguish. What was the meaning of that tortured expression? Within one moment, Katherine knew the reason why. There was a sharp pain, followed by a flooding of warmth, hardness, and deep, intense pleasure.
“Oh,” Katherine said, throwing her head back in ecstasy. She took a moment to remain motionless, feeling the full length and breadth of Lord Garret inside of her. His manhood was like the rest of his body; hard, vast, and powerful. Katherine couldn’t move and was unsure of what to do next. As though Lord Garret sensed her trepidation, he rolled Katherine onto her back and was on top of her. She spread her legs and Lord Garret came up in-between her hips and entered her once more, causing Katherine to call out.
Risky Rules of a Passionate Governess Page 17
