Page 14 of A Countess Never Tells

“Kitty!”

She and Lord Ashwood jumped apart and turned to see Judith standing behind her, her eyes snapping with indignation. “Kitty, how could you?”

Glancing at Lord Ashwood for guidance—she assumed he had much more experience at being discovered in dark venues with an inappropriate person than she did—Kitty waited for some sign as to what to say or do.

Lord Ashwood, however, seemed as transfixed by Judith’s presence as Kitty. He stood staring at her sister-in-law, a befuddled look on his face.

Well, if he wasn’t going to help get them out of this rather scandalous situation, Kitty would have to do it herself. “Well, you suggested stealing a kiss, Judith. It was rather easy once I got the hang of it.”

Her sister-in-law stiffened, and her eyes narrowed. “You had best not be flippant, Kitty. Your brother is going to be most grievously disappointed in you when he learns of this unseemly behavior.” Judith’s mouth thinned to a straight, cold line. “Almost as disappointed as when we were informed by Mrs. Fitzhugh that Lord Ashbrook here,” she turned her blazing gaze on him and Kitty would’ve sworn he winced, “is actually Lord Ashwood, the most depraved rake in all of London. Did you know this before we came tonight, Kitty?”

She nodded, trying to make herself very small.

“And you still went off with him to the darkest spot in Vauxhall Gardens, where I find you kissing him!” Judith’s voice had risen to an alarming volume.

“Not exactly kissing, Lady Haxby.” Lord Ashwood had found his tongue at last. “Although we were in very close proximity to it.” He offered her his most charming smile, but he might have saved the effort.

Judith paid that smile no attention whatsoever. “I will thank you, my lord, to keep a civil tongue in your mouth—”

At that unfortunate phrase, Kitty gave a strangled laugh but tried to quiet herself.

“And leave this to me. Her brother would be most heartily aggrieved to hear that his sister had been ruined in Vauxhall, like so many others.” She glanced at Kitty, who shrank back, dreading her sister-in-law’s next words. And was surprised when they came out. “So we will simply say I came upon you in front of the orchestra, listening to the music, so rapt you had forgotten the time and the supper.”

It was a better plan than Kitty could’ve come up with. “Thank you, Judith. Nothing truly went on between us, I promise you.” Now that was a bald-faced lie, and Kitty doubted Judith believed her for a moment. However, at least her sister-in-law seemed to want to contain any scandal.

“Come, Kitty. Lord Ashwood. We must all be seen returning together.” Judith grabbed Kitty’s arm and linked it with hers.

“So you don’t plan to give us away, Judith?” Hope crept into her voice.

“Solely for John’s sake, no.” Judith swung around and glared at Lord Ashwood. “As long as I have no reason to be more forthcoming with him. Do I, Kitty?”

Kitty shook her head so vehemently some of the pins in her hair flew away. “What else could we do out here in the woods other than kiss, Judith?”

“You would be surprised, my dear, at what a woman in love—or at least who persuades herself she’s in love—will do.” Judith nodded sharply, and they began the trek back out to the Grand South Walk.

“Thank you so much for your discretion, Lady Haxby. I was quite taken with Miss Tate last evening, and as my reputation has a tendency to precede me, I was hoping to put the rumors about my scandalous life to rest before you, Lord Haxby, and Miss Tate could discover it. That is why I had myself introduced as Lord Ashbrook. I hoped to earn your regard.” Lord Ashwood’s repentant explanation might’ve won Judith over a trifle.

All she would say is, “Well, we’ll see about that.”

At least that was something.

As they walked, Lord Ashwood leaned over to Kitty and whispered, “You need not fear her indiscretion, my dear. A countess never tells. If anyone will keep our secret, it is Lady Haxby.”

The image of her outraged brother came vividly to mind, causing Kitty to mutter, “I certainly hope so.”

****

Walking back along the dark pathway, Ash had to keep his focus on the gently swaying form of Miss Tate striding along in front of him. Otherwise, his reeling head might’ve sent him staggering off into the benches that lined either side of the Druid’s Walk.

What the hell had he unleashed in Kitty Tate? The first kiss had been rather perfunctory, which he’d learned to expect from innocent young ladies. Even the not-so-young ones, such as Miss Tate, who’d come late to her first Season for some reason. Still, she was a comely woman, with an excellent bosom and waist. Last night, after he’d finally retired, he’d teased himself with thoughts of what the rest of her body looked like under those layers of silk and linen until he’d released himself and drifted off to sleep smiling.

Tonight, sleep might be harder to come by if he recalled that second kiss with Miss Tate too vividly. How he’d enjoyed it when she’d boldly kissed him back. So few young ladies of breeding understood that kissing was a reciprocal activity. And when she’d sucked on his tongue—lord, he still had the cockstand to attest to how much he’d liked that. If she could employ that talented mouth of hers elsewhere on his body—

Ash shivered and stopped in the middle of the walkway. He had to get control of himself before they got into the lighted areas, else her brother would never believe his sister was still an innocent.

Perhaps she wasn’t.

That thought brought Ash up short, an unaccountable anger racing through his veins. He might have been a rake for half his life, but he still wanted his wife to be the last virgin to come to his bed. Miss Tate had admitted he hadn’t been the first man she’d kissed. Would he not be the one to take her maidenhead either? God, he hoped she was untouched. Because Miss Tate was now at the very top of his list of marriageable ladies. Not that the list was very long, mind you. But she’d made such an impression on him last night, he’d wanted a taste of her as much as she’d wanted one of him. Oh, yes. She’d wanted him, no doubt about that. Should he be worried about her virtue? He wasn’t quite certain. Ironic, wasn’t it, that he should have to be concerned about such a thing in the woman he was contemplating marrying.