by Lucy Langton
“How did so much change?” Kitty whispered out loud as she continued to walk slowly, enjoying the night. The air smelled crisp and fresh, and felt warm against her skin. The feeling of the flowers and plants as she walked felt like she was coming home after a long time away. Perhaps it had been too long since she’d last wandered amongst nature and simply enjoyed the sights and smells instead of worrying so much.
At that time, Kitty was filled with plenty of worry. She worried about her future now that she’d received Lord Harding’s threats. She was worried about Hugh and what his kiss had actually meant. And more than anything, Kitty was worried that she’d become a lady of society while forgetting what truly brought her joy in life.
Kitty was so caught up in the experience of being alone in nature that it took a while for her to realise that a dense fog was rolling into the park. Not wanting to become lost since she hadn’t been using any of the paths, Kitty turned around and made her way quickly back from whence she’d come. But as she did so, she found out that she was completely surrounded by the fog without a way to return home.
It was then that she began to panic. The fog created darkness around her as it covered up the moon. She began to feel foolish for wondering out at night as she slowly took steps forward, determined to be free from the park and return to the safety of her own home. But as she walked with her hands outstretched in front of her, she continued to run into thickets over and over again, convincing her that she was just going in circles.
“Help! Is anyone out there?!” she cried out, her heart pounding against her chest as she tried to find her way. Kitty was terrified that she’d be lost in the park for the rest of the night and would then be discovered in the morning by someone of high society. She couldn’t let that happen and needed to get home right away.
~*~
Hugh had lost track of time. He’d gone out with the idea of visiting one of his favourite gaming hells. He wanted to lose himself in easy women, high quality brandy, and the thrill of winning at cards. But he knew that kind of behaviour would not produce him the results he was after.
So, being unable to sleep, he’d taken to the streets and had walked the empty roads since midnight. But as he kept to the sidewalk, eventually a thick fog had rolled in, making him slow his pace and become more aware of everything around him.
The dangers of Town were not unknown to Hugh. This type of weather would be a criminal’s dream as he walked the streets, unaware of what could be lurking in the darkness. He needed to stay sharp in case someone tried to mug him, or worse. But as he continued to walk, a sound in the distance caught his attention.
“Help! Please help! I’m lost, and I can’t see!” came a woman’s voice from the park he was walking past. Hugh was immediately concerned as he feared that there was something familiar about this woman’s voice. His brain couldn’t rationalise who he thought it was, so he simply hurried towards the sound, curious to what had happened.
“I’m here!” he called back. “Come towards the sound of my voice!” Hugh stood just inside the park on the other side of the gate, not wanting to become lost himself. He hoped that he could help the lost woman to find her way through by following the sound of his voice.
When Kitty had heard the man’s voice, she had been shocked to hear how familiar it was. Even in the darkness, she knew instantly who the person was and felt relief and hope flood her as she turned around and walked towards him.
“Hugh!? Is that you?” Kitty called out, her hands in front of her as she slowly walked. She was afraid of falling or bumping into something that could cause her pain.
“Kitty, darling! I am here,” Hugh called back, wanting to run into the fog to find her. But that would only cause them both to become lost. Yet the idea of being lost with Kitty intrigued him. Eventually, Hugh was able to see Kitty’s figure through the fog. The gas lamps on the street shed little light, only causing the fog to appear thicker. But she eventually made her way forward till Hugh could reach out to her and pull her against his body.
“Kitty, what on Earth are you doing out here?” Hugh asked as he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close as he checked to see if she was alright.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Kitty admitted, feeling foolish now. “I thought a nice long walk would do me good, but I hadn’t expected to have to deal with all this fog.” Kitty relished the feeling of being safe within Hugh’s arms. She rested her head on his chest and felt the rumble there as he chuckled.
“It seems we both couldn’t sleep,” Hugh said, holding her close. “I’ve been walking the streets for hours, my thoughts returning to our once shared childhood.” Kitty was surprised to hear this since that was what her thoughts were early occupied with.
“I can’t believe we were both thinking of the same things,” Kitty said as she tilted her head up and looked into Hugh’s green eyes. “I had remembered how often I used to spend outside in nature and tried to reason why I didn’t come to the park more often. I discovered that I have become more concerned about what others think of me than doing what gives me joy.”
Hugh nodded his head, thinking that it would be a very sensible thing for Kitty to come to realise. He too could remember the amount of time they’d spend outside as though the rest of the world didn’t matter. Kitty had never shied away from getting dirty or doing something that might seem dangerous for a child her age. She’d always been willing and happy to do whatever he came up with as long it was to be done outside.
“You’ve grown up into a beautiful young lady,” Hugh said. “It is not unusual for children to put away childish things when they grow old. We both have responsibilities to maintain now.”
“But there is nothing wrong with being in nature,” Kitty countered. “I feel like I’ve been away from the country so long that I have forgotten how much I missed being able to touch a wildflower.” Hugh chuckled again, leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead.
“However, if I don’t accompany you, then you’ll find yourself in trouble,” Hugh said, causing them both to chuckle softly.
“I suppose you were always there to make sure I didn’t always get into so much trouble,” Kitty reasoned. She couldn’t believe that she was standing with Hugh at the park, the fog thick around them as though they’d entered their own little world. It was the same thing when they’d play together in the forest, and it was only then that Kitty realised how much she’d missed this. She’d missed spending time with Hugh without worrying what others would think.
“I suppose I should return you to your home,” Hugh said, breaking the spell that seemed to be placed around them. But as Kitty remembered the harsh words Lord Harding had said to her before dinner, Kitty only tightened her hold on Hugh, finding him warm and inviting.
“Just a minute longer,” Kitty said as she rested her head back on his chest, remembering all the wonderful memories of their childhood together. When she felt more freedom than she figured she ever would in life.
“Kitty, the longer we stay here together, the more dangerous it will become,” Hugh said, his voice growing thick with desire.
“What dangers?” Kitty asked as she leaned back from Hugh to see his face. As their eyes met, she saw fire in his green eyes and seemed to understand the meaning of his words.
“I care for you very much, Kitty,” Hugh said in a husky voice. “Feeling you so close to me causes my resolve to dwindle.”
“And why would that be a dangerous thing?” Kitty asked as a smirk came to her lips. She’d never flirted with a man before and found that she couldn’t resist doing so with Hugh.
Hugh didn’t respond with words but instead with his actions. He held her close as he lowered his lips to her, capturing her mouth with his as he wished to convey all his feelings for her in that one kiss.
Kitty gasped with pleasure as she returned his kiss, feeling her body blossom with such heat that it made her dizzy with hunger. She placed her hands on Hugh’s chest as she thoroughly enjoyed his passionate kis
s. But wanting more, she lowered her hands and begun to pull the hem of his muslin shirt from his trousers.
Hugh thought for a moment to break their kiss and question what Kitty was doing with his shirt. But his question was quickly answered as she snaked her hands under his shirt and began to let them roam over his bare chest. His moaned against her mouth then, loving the way her hands moved over his body. Kitty’s hands were soft like silk, and he relished the feeling of her skin on his.
Hugh lowered his hands to Kitty’s waist, pulling her close to where her hips pressed against his. His member jumped with excitement, and as Kitty moaned against his mouth, he was certain she understood just how excited she was making him feel.
A part of him wanted to lay her down in the grass and have his way with her, their moans filling the night air though no one would be able to see them. But as he remembered that Kitty wasn’t just another brothel woman, he eventually pulled away from her.
Kitty didn’t understand why Hugh had stopped as she opened her eyes to his, breathing heavily as her head spun with all the pleasure that one kiss had caused her. She’d enjoyed feeling his muscular chest, wanting to run her hands over the rest of him. She didn’t know what had got into her, but she felt no regrets as Hugh wrapped his fingers around hers, pulling her hands away from his chest. She could see he was also doing his best to catch his breath, no doubt feeling the same way as she.
“Kitty, my dear. No matter how much I would like this to continue, I won’t dishonour you like that,” Hugh said, his eyes still burning with desire for her.
“But maybe I want this just as much as you,” Kitty replied, a smirk coming to her lips as she tried to close the distance between them and continue what they started. But Hugh held her back as he chuckled, a low rumble coming from his chest.
“Have you ever been with a man before, Kitty?” Hugh asked as he let go of her hands and began to tuck his shirt back into his trousers. He had to arrange his member into a more comfortable position, the action being noticed by Kitty as her eyes went to the bulge. But eventually her eyes came back to his as she answered his question.
“I have not, Hugh,” Kitty admitted. “But I’m sure you could teach me a thing or two.” Hugh chuckled again as he took her hand and placed it on his arm as though it was the middle of the day and they were just enjoying a pleasant stroll through the park. He led them out of the gate and onto the sidewalk before leading Kitty home.
“Kitty, I have never taken a woman’s innocence. And though I have strong feelings for you, I won’t ruin you. Unless you agree to be my wife, I will not have my way with you,” Hugh said, feeling like he hadn’t been this honest about his feelings in years. Kitty considered his words, thinking that he was being the perfect gentleman that most would never consider him capable of.
“I guess then that it’s a good thing that you stumbled upon me instead of an unsightly character,” Kitty replied, the image of Lord Harding rising into her mind.
“Indeed. I find it very fortunate that we happened to be so tuned in to one another that we were then drawn together in the middle of the night,” Hugh reflected. Kitty never knew that Hugh could be so poetic, or even romantic. She looked up at him through the fog as they walked together and away went the boy she knew. Instead, the boy of her childhood and been replaced by a man that she wondered could capture her heart one day. So far, he was doing a splendid job at it.
After a while, they came upon Kitty’s townhouse. Hugh escorted Kitty all the way to the front door and only let go of her hand then. Kitty looked up at Hugh, afraid of him going back out into the night to find his own way home.
“I could wake the driver and have the carriage prepared for you,” Kitty reasoned.
“Fear not, Kitty. I am very accustomed to the night, after all,” Hugh said as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles before letting it go once more and taking a step down the stairs before he lost all control. “I and the night are old friends.”
“If you insist,” Kitty said with a sigh.
“Very much,” Hugh replied, winking at Kitty before he turned and finished walking down the stairs. Hugh kept his eyes ahead of him, knowing that if he looked back, he’d lose all resolve and want to return to her side. Kitty stood there and watched him walk away, saying a silent prayer that he’d return home safely. Eventually, she forced herself to look away and head back inside.
Once inside her house once more, Kitty quickly took off the boots and coat and put them back in the same spot she found them. Then, she hurried up the stairs to her bedchamber. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been gone, but she knew that she now needed to get some sleep.
Back in bed, Kitty pulled the covers up over her head and shut her eyes. She didn’t let her mind wander and instead thought about the kiss she’d shared with Hugh. Never would she have imagined feeling that way for anyone. And even though all of this was just a challenge, she now was hoping that Hugh would succeed.
Chapter 10
Hugh felt like his head had just hit the pillow when the sound of loud knocking was heard on his bedchamber door. He opened his eyes and groaned, wishing he could get a few more hours of sleep.
Eventually, he’d returned to his townhouse when the sun was starting to peek above the horizon. Hugh was still recovering from the passionate kiss he’d shared with Kitty and knew that he needed rest. But when the knocking came again, only louder, he knew that he couldn’t ignore it any longer.
“What is it!?” Hugh hollered as he lifted his head up and peered at the door. Portlock entered immediately, carrying a tea tray and a letter.
“I’m so sorry to bother you, Your Grace. But an urgent letter has just come from the Royal Magistrate,” Portlock explained as he set the tray next to Hugh’s bed and then handed him the letter. Hugh forced himself up into a sitting position and took the letter from the butler as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“What could the Royal Magistrate possibly want?” Hugh wondered aloud. It wasn’t every day that he received anything from the royal family even though he was a Duke. He stayed away from politics and any invites to join the royal family for different events. But if the Royal Magistrate was sending him a letter, then it couldn’t be good news. Hugh eventually got the letter open and began to read out loud for Portlock to hear him.
“Lord Blackmore, the Duke of Ormondene. You are here by summoned to the Royal Court to meet based on the tarnished Ormondene name. You are to arrive at once and be questioned based on numerous reports to answer for your misdeeds. Expect to stay at the Royal Palace until this matter can be resolved. The Honourable Magistrate Fitzgerald, Royal Magistrate.”
“My word. What could that possibly mean?” Portlock said, clearly disturbed by the contents of the letter. Hugh folded it back up and set it aside before taking the cup of tea that Portlock held out to him. He drank it down as quickly as he could, determined to appear before the Royal Magistrate and get home before missing too much time. He felt that things were finally looking up for him with Kitty, and he didn’t want to ruin his chances by being gone for so long.
“Whatever it means, I must appear in hopes of returning home before too long,” Hugh said, hoping the tea would help wake him as he moved from his bed and went over to the water basin as he began to splash water on his face. Portlock took quick action as he gathered an outfit for Hugh to wear and quickly helped the Duke change.
“Your Grace, do you think you could postpone this meeting if you reply to the Royal Magistrate?” Portlock asked as he helped Hugh into his riding jacket.
“I wouldn’t dare delay the Royal Magistrate. Especially with my family’s name in question,” Hugh said. “I’m sure if I was a marquess, no one would have bat an eye at me frequenting the gambling hells. But when you’re this close in rank to the Royal family, I guess my actions won’t be overlooked.”
“But what will you tell Miss Worthington?” Portlock then asked, seeming to speak the very words that were running through Hugh’s mind at that mo
ment.
“I will write her a letter before I depart,” Hugh said. “I will explain the situation and say that I will return tomorrow evening if not sooner. Then, I shall continue to show her that I mean to seriously marry her.” Portlock smiled at him, pleased to hear his words.
