Page 70 of Indecently Daring

“God damned clergymen,” Kilbane muttered furiously. “If I want your bedamned blessing, I’ll bloody well ask for it.”

“Would you like to join us, my lord?” Harry asked, ignoring the man’s obvious indignation. “We’re celebrating our nuptials, there’s a ball tonight and I’m certain—”

“Go to the devil,” Kilbane said succinctly. “I’ll leave Pirate with St Clair’s grooms.”

“Thank you, my lord. You have no idea what this means to—”

Kilbane made an exceptionally rude hand gesture as he stalked away, leaving Harry and Alana staring at each other in shock.

“This day is truly miraculous,” Harry said, his expression so obviously joyful that Alana hugged him. “First, I get to marry a wild, wicked, beautiful goddess, my lovely Artemis, and then… then Kilbane gives me Pirate. That did happen, didn’t it? I didn’t imagine it?”

“You didn’t imagine it,” Alana agreed, squeezing him tighter. “It’s you, Harry. You bring out the best in people, you make us all want to be better. Even Kilbane.”

Harry snorted and shook his head. “I doubt that very much, but I’m touched you should think so.”

“I do think so,” Alana said firmly. “But we’d best hurry back inside, the meal must be over by now and the dancing will begin soon. Everyone will think we’ve had enough and run away if we don’t appear.”

Harry took her hand, grinning. “Well, then. Let us go, for I intend to dance with my wife and let every fellow in the place turn green with envy.”

“Isn’t envy a sin, Harry? That’s not very Christian of you,” she said happily.

“No,” Harry said with a laugh. “It isn’t, is it? What a shocking influence you are on me.”

Cat darted back behind the door as Harry and Alana went back to join their guests.

He was here. Kilbane was here and he was leaving. For years. Panic thrummed beneath her skin, making her feel lightheaded and uncertain. Kilbane was going away. He was going away for years and she wouldn’t see him. She might never see him again.

No.

No, no, no. That simply couldn’t be. It wasn’t right. It was not supposed to be this way. Not now, not when she had finally come of age. They were meant to be. They belonged together. He was hers. He had always been hers. She’d known it in her heart for so long now and it only needed a little more time. He needed to understand that she wasn’t a child any longer. She was eighteen now, and old enough to marry and he… he needed her. Something like desperation uncurled deep in her stomach, the certainty that if Kilbane left now, something terrible would happen to him and she would never forgive herself. He would leave thinking no one cared, no one gave a damn whether he lived or died, and that….

She couldn’t bear it.

What to do? What to do? If he left, she would have no way of contacting him, no chance of keeping in touch. There was nothing else for it. Her dare had been clear enough: Do something that frightens you. Well, her heart was beating so hard right now she thought there was a good chance she’d pass out. Still, the icy temperatures outside should be the equivalent to a good hard slap. Peering around the door, Cat slipped out into the grand entrance hall, and then out of the door.

She shivered as snowflakes drifted down, settling on her bare shoulders, but there was no time to fetch a cloak. Kilbane would be gone as soon as he’d handed Pirate over, so she must be quick. Her satin slippers were soaked through before she’d taken three steps. They would be utterly ruined, but Cat was undaunted. She ran as fast as she dared, following the footsteps in the crisp white layer of snow. The quiet jingle of tack had her turning to see the guests for tonight’s ball were arriving as a carriage stopped in front of the house, and Cat darted behind a large marble column so the new arrivals could not see her. Alana would be pleased, for she had feared the weather might keep some guests away, but they had obviously come early to be certain the snow didn’t stop their journey. Cat watched the Marquess of Wrexham step down and take the arm of a short fellow who guided him up the steps. Another carriage was arriving behind Wrexham’s, and Cat muttered a curse. Well, it was now or never if she didn’t want to be seen.

Picking up her skirts, she ran.

The stables at Holbrook were vast and magnificent, and currently a hive of activity with so many extra animals to be seen to. For a moment, Cat despaired of ever finding Kilbane, but no… there he was, leading Pirate into the family’s wing of the huge stable block. Hiding out of sight until she had a clear run after him without being seen, Cat lingered in the shadows, awaiting her moment.

Hurrying inside at the first opportunity, Cat was relieved to be out of the snow and the wind, though it was not a great deal warmer. Ahead of her, she saw Pirate’s glossy flank disappear inside a stall. The grooms had already divested him of saddle and bridle, it seemed, though why Kilbane was settling the horse in… but she smiled to herself. He was doing it because he cared, though he’d likely tear a strip off anyone who suggested such a thing. It was just more proof that he wasn’t the wicked, heartless creature everyone believed him to be.

Cat padded quietly to the stall, looking behind her to ensure she wasn’t seen. From inside, she heard Kilbane speaking softly and paused, listening.

“There’s a good fellow. No doubt you’ll be glad to get back Martin, hmm? No, don’t make out like you care.”

Cat peeked around the corner, smiling as she saw Pirate nudging at Kilbane with his great head. The marquess laughed and drew a lump of sugar from his pocket.

“I knew it. Cupboard love, that’s all it is. You’re anyone’s for a lump of sugar, and don’t pretend otherwise.”

“He loves you too,” Cat observed, unable to hold the comment back.

Kilbane stiffened, his violet eyes growing cold in the dim light of the stable.

“What in the name of everything holy are you doing here?” he demanded.

“I came to see you,” Cat said, putting up her chin. “I heard what you told Reverend Martin. You’re going away.”