GypsyDukeEpub (19 page)

A scratching at her window brought Kitty jumping up from the bed. She threw the window wide and looked outside. Underneath the tree by her window, she discerned the definite shape of a man. She leaned on the windowsill, waiting for him to speak.

"Come live with me and be my love, and we will all the pleasures prove, that valleys, groves, hills, and fields, woods, or steepy mountain yields. Does that appeal to you, my lovely?"

Lord Knight, and he was again quoting poetry. What a gentleman! If a rogue.

"Valleys and hills are certainly appealing, but a man who stays home would send my heart reeling."

John chuckled. "Are you saying that were I to linger a while, your heart would be mine?"

Kitty leaned out the window with an answering smile. "Are you saying you want it? I fear you are not a safe vessel to hold such a delicate commodity."

"And if I were?" Lord Knight stepped further into the soft moonlight, and Kitty saw he still wore the demi-mask and gypsy costume that had hidden his countenance at the ball.

"I will not bandy words with a gypsy. I had hoped for a gentleman to gift my heart to, not a masked rogue to steal it."

John laughed again. "Ah, Kitty, how sharp is your tongue! I find conversation with you a refreshing enterprise."

Kitty lit the lantern she had left on the sill. She batted her eyes at John and smiled coyly. "Do you find the conversation of your other ladies so dull?"

"Ah! I have no other ladies in my life."

He must think her a fool. Women surrounded him at the ball.

"None you will confess to."

"Do you seek a confession from me?"

Through the holes in the mask, Kitty could see his eyes grow brighter, almost glowing in the soft moonlight. She shifted her position and studied what she could of his face.

"I would see your face. That is confession enough for now."

John spread his arms wide. "What if I were to confess my devotion? Would that not move you?"

Kitty pretended to consider. "I would be moved by a more acceptable proposition. Perhaps one that was delivered in the light of day?"

"The day would increase your glory, but I am lord of the night. The
darkness is fitting for our rendezvous."

"A clever play on your name, Lord Knight, but who are you really? I have never heard Robert speak of you, nor Somerset, for that matter. Tell me, from whence do you come?"

The smile he gave her became so seductive she wished she was in the garden with him. "Lady light, I come from your dreams. To bring to life all you have longed for."

Kitty sighed. Though his words stirred hidden places in her heart, she had little hope for any advancement in the relationship, if he was not willing to tell her anything substantial. She would dismiss him and go to bed. This was a fruitless endeavor from a man that wanted nothing more than to dally with her.

"I thank you, Lord Knight. But my dreams are my own, and it is time I had some. I bid you good night."

John leaped forward and tossed her a red rose. "Kitty wait. Take this as a token of my true affection and promise to meet me tomorrow in Kensington Park. The duchess will arrive in the morning to take you riding. There is a small, secluded pavilion further away from the Serpentine. I'll be waiting."

Kitty caught the rose and brought it to her face, inhaling the scent. He had removed all the thorns, a thoughtful gesture, but just another ploy.

"I see no future in an assignation with you."

"You said you would trust me. Give me tomorrow, Kitty, to show you there is more to me than you see."

The beseeching look he sent her was her undoing. The man really had the most scandalous eyes.

"Until tomorrow. But your words had best be more specific on the morrow."

John threw her a kiss. "I shall not disappoint, my lady."

Kitty drew back from the window and extinguished the lantern then froze. That voice and those words. She had heard them before. Tomorrow she would take a very close look at John Knight.

John waited until the light went out before seeking the back gate of the garden. This courtship was not as easily advanced as he'd assumed. Kitty had matured, and pretty words were not enough to hold her interest.

Ach! Women were a bane to a man's existence.

Then he remembered Kitty's bright eyes and the way her long blond tresses had fallen over the windowsill. He thought of the musical sound of her voice and her ability to bandy words. She was still the only woman he'd ever found interesting…beyond the purely physical charms.

He reached the alleyway, staying to the shadows as the gypsies and spies had taught him. When a dark form pushed away from the shadow of a house, John had his knife pulled before the attacker could reach him.

"Be still, John. 'Tis only Michel."

John laughed and slapped Michel on the back, delighted to see his old friend. "You made good time. I only sent the note yesterday. How have you been, Michel? Is everyone well at the estate?"

"I am well, as is the estate. Your courier traveled through the night so I might reach you more quickly."

John leaned back to look at the young man he'd seen so rarely in the past years. Though the night's light was poor, he could see that Michel still looked like any other gypsy. "Has my mother never convinced you to wear proper clothing for a groom?"

"This is proper, and she has never referred to my appearance." He slapped John lightly on the cheek. "You, however, look old. I think the wandering life is hard on you."

"I admit…I am mightily sick of it. It will be good to bring this business to an end. Now tell me friend, what have you learned?"

After seeing Lord Knight, Kitty thought she would not sleep for hours, but the excitement of two nights spent in late pursuits caught up with her. She fell asleep almost immediately.

The next morning she had nearly dressed herself by the time her maid arrived in her room. "Milady, ye didn't say ye was going out riding this morning. Why didn't ye call me?"

Kitty sat at her vanity table, waiting for Mildred to affix her riding hat. She hadn't called for a maid because she was hoping to leave the house without having to explain why she was going out so early with the duchess.

"I saw no reason to bother you nor anyone else this early. The duchess is coming for me, so please have my horse saddled."

Mildred pulled a curl loose to hang at Kitty's ear then patted her results. "Yes, milady. I'll see to it."

Kitty stood before the mirror. This would be the first time she'd worn this particular riding habit, part of her new London wardrobe. She liked the fitted lines of the jacket and the frothy lace at her throat. She especially liked how her hair looked against the rich hunter green color. Anyone could see she was a woman now. And she best get treated that way by the man in her life…or else.

Mildred's head peeked through the door then her whole body came into view. "The duchess is here, milady. Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Thank you, Mildred, not a thing." She raced down the stairs,
pausing at the door to the morning room. She could hear her mother and the duchess inside.

"Ah, Teresa, lovely to see you. Are you out for a ride? We so appreciate you taking Kitty to the masquerade. Was it a success?"

"Yes, the usual crush at those types of things. We had a lovely time. Kitty was quite popular with the young gentlemen." There was a pause. "I see they lost no time in presenting her with her own indoor garden."

The countess laughed. "It was like this long before the masquerade. Ever since she was presented at court, in fact."

"Oh, Rachel, that is wonderful. Have there been offers for her? I heard she is considered this Season's original."

"Yes, but nothing her father will consider. He has not even bothered to tell her. I fear he will not be satisfied with anyone less than a duke."

"Mmm. There is Somerset, you know."

Kitty could hear the interest in her mother's voice when she spoke next. "Have you heard from him, then? I must confess...I suspect Raeburn has thrust this season upon Kitty to force Somerset's hand."

"Do not fear, Rachel. I have indeed heard from him, and I believe he will put an end to all this."

Kitty's heart leaped. John knew she was here! He would come for her...but what of Lord Knight? What a bumblebroth!

The butler materialized beside her and opened the door to the morning room. The two ladies inside looked up.

"Kitty! You did not mention you were going riding this morning."

Kitty gave a shrug she hoped looked carefree. "You know that has been my lifetime practice, Mama. I cannot give it up just because I am in London. The duchess has graciously offered to escort me to the trails at Kensington."

The countess inclined her head thoughtfully. "Very well. Enjoy yourselves. I will speak with you later, Teresa."

"Of course."

Kitty smiled brightly at her mother and followed the duchess from the room.

Outside the Raeburn townhouse, a groom waited with three horses. It would never do for two ladies of the ton to go riding alone. It was not safe. But it was an annoyance. How in the world would Kitty have a private conversation with Lord Knight, if the duchess and a groom accompanied her?

The groom dropped behind them as soon as they took off, so Kitty was
able to speak to the duchess. "Good morning, your grace. Did you sleep well?"

The duchess turned her kind face to Kitty and smiled indulgently. "Is that really what you wanted to ask me, young one?"

Kitty laughed. She was thankful the duchess had never kept her in her proper place. "No, but I do hope you slept well."

"I did. And I believe we will have companions as we ride this morning."

Kitty felt the buoyancy of riding free on a clear, bright morning with the expectation of love. What an exhilarating day! She could not help her smile as she looked at the duchess.

"That would be lovely."

A worried expression crossed the face of the duchess momentarily, and she stopped her horse. "Kitty, do you have expectations, then?"

"I do. Lord Knight has promised to answer my questions."

"Well, then. We'd best be on our way."

They increased their pace when they reached the park. Kitty followed after the duchess on a long trail, and the groom followed Kitty.

When a white pavilion came into sight, Kitty's excitement increased. This had to be the place.

Sure enough, Robert rode forward to meet them. He spoke as if it was quite a surprise to see them out. "Good morning, your grace...Lady Katherine. What brings you lovely ladies out today?"

Kitty laughed. Polite conversation was so dreary. "It is quite obvious what we are doing, Robert. Pray, what brings you out?"

Robert grimaced. "Have I mentioned lately that you have a sharp tongue, milady?"

"Not for at least two weeks. You are behind in your flattery."

"Only you would count it thus, dear Kitty."

The duchess had watched their bi-play with obvious enjoyment, but she interrupted now. "The groom is a reasonable distance away, Kitty. Robert and I will make sure he doesn't venture closer. Why do you not investigate the pavilion?"

Kitty looked from one to the other, the duchess slightly smiling, Robert's face impassive.

"I will only be a moment."

"Yes, dear, only a moment."

Chapter 9

Kitty rode slowly forward until she reached the pavilion. She wasn't sure whether she should try to dismount or wait. She was about to slide down from her perch when a figure loomed up beside her.

"Good morning, Lady Katherine. Might I help you dismount?"

Kitty's head jerked around. Lord Knight had been leaning on a column, but now he strode toward her with a purposeful air. He was dressed completely in black, black breeches tucked in knee-high black Hessians, a black billowing shirt, and he was wearing that dratted mask. He looked exactly like a nefarious gypsy...a breath-taking one, at that.

Kitty ignored the growing attraction she felt and scowled at him as he reached her side. "You are not what I expected."

John put his hands to her waist and lifted. "Was there someone else you wanted?" He asked the question as he let her glide slowly down the front of his chest.

Kitty blinked several times. The man was too potent for her well-being, but she must persevere. "I wanted someone known."

John tipped his head to tease her lips with feather brushes of his mouth. "I am known to you, Katherine." His arms enveloped her, and he pulled her tightly against him before his mouth settled against hers in a kiss of possession.

Her senses reeled with delight. His voice and his mouth promised so much, but Kitty fought against the urge to meld completely with him. The back of her mind screamed warnings at her. You know him. You do know him.

John lifted his head to stare into her eyes. She took the opportunity to study every facet of his face. He didn't move, allowing her inspection.