Page 46 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

“Shh,” Kat said, lest the guests overhear them.

Not that the two older women sitting closest to them would be scandalized in the least. Oh, how Kat longed to be that carefree and to say and do what she wished without fear of judgment. And if only she didn’t have to wait until she wasHarrington the Old Spinsterto embrace her life.

While the rest of the guests chatted, Beth clasped her hand. “Do not fret when I do not come home tonight.”

Kat fought her urge to flail her hands indignantly. “Where are you going?”

“To meet Frederick.”

“What will your mother say?”

“I will be back before we break our fast. She will never know. ’Tis quite easy to sneak out the staff entrance at night and return before dawn. Especially while everyone is enjoying their evening snack.”

Instead of responding with words, Kat blinked out her shock.

Beth rose from their settee, kissed her mother on the cheek, and addressed the guests. “Excuse me. I am quite tired. I will turn in for the evening.” Before exiting the room, she peered over her shoulder to wink at Kat.

Lady Chisolm’s warnings echoed in Kat’s mind, And Evan Eaton’s voice, smell, and touch infiltrated her memories as she paced her chamber. Why had Beth run off when Kat desperately needed someone to talk to?

Kat halted her frantic to and fro to glare at the door as if it were her enemy. She simply needed something to be the object of her frustration. After bestowing the innocent partition with as much derision as possible, she felt slightly better. She pushed it aside and scurried from her room to the kitchen.

Beth was correct. Sneaking out the back exit while the staff enjoyed their evening tea and biscuits was as easy as snapping her fingers. It was as if Kat was intoxicated on claret as she hastened along the street to Yardley Manor. She crept into the servant entrance, passed by a footman, and then dashed up the stairs. Her heart pounded against her chest as she slid into Evan’s room, pulling his chamber door closed behind her.

A half-dozen candles bathed him in a golden light. Cravetless, the top buttons of his shirt undone, he sat on the edge of his bed, a twisted grin on his handsome face.

“I’d hoped you’d come,” he said, his voice full of the arrogance that made her want to box his ears.

Nay, that wasn’t quite correct. Made her want to leap onto his lap and kiss him senseless.

“Why did you just visit The Crown Jewel Inn?”

Please let him say to see her. For if he did, she’d press her lips to his.

“As I said, to thank your aunt.”

She’d been a fool to come. This was a huge mistake. She should go. Turning on her heel, she headed toward the door.

“Greyson will no longer bother you. I’ve taken care of it,” he called to her.

Thank the heavens above, Evan had come through. She faced him.

“Thank you. Thank you so very much.”

Why wasn’t Evan smiling? It should be big and brilliant and beautiful right now.

“I told Wellspring we kissed,” he said.

Perhaps she should feel some sort of shame or regret, but instead, relief coursed through her. “Did you tell him anything else?”

“I didn’t tell him I’d fondled your breasts, if that is what you’re asking?” Evan snickered as if he’d said something hysterical.

From serious to fool in a moment. How romantic it would have been if he’d confessed he favored her to his friend. But nay, the louse smirked and mentioned breast fondling.

Of course, if she were honest with herself, she was also thinking about breast fondling. And licking and sucking. And that most taboo thing of all—his drinking from between her thighs. Dash Elizabeth Fletcher to the fiery pits of hell for putting the notion in her head. And damn Kat’s blasted bodysince it betrayed her, and a quiver ran from her quim, up her belly, and split into two as it jolted to both nipples.

Good Lord. She should go. She stepped toward the door.

“Wait,” he called. “I’m so very sorry. Please forgive me. I only meant to tease, but it did not come out flirtatious in the least. You make me akin to a court jester. You have since the first time I saw you standing there in your pink dress and flower-covered bonnet.”