CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Catherine continued on her way to her greenhouse, grateful she’d not run into Titus. She liked to think of him as Titus, not Lord Braithwaite, which somehow seemed too formal. He made her feel things. Things she hadn’t felt in years, and she resented him for it. She wanted him gone from Chatterwoods and her life back to being the way it was before the dinner party.
She spent a very satisfying morning taking care of her plants and working on a new scent she was trying to create. It was almost there, but something was missing. She had to go through the oils she had in her small apothecary to see if there was anything there she could use to enhance the scent.
Exhausted from the events of the previous night and everything that had taken place, including Titus entering her room, Catherine left the greenhouse and proceeded to go to her room. A long soak in her tub was what she needed. Catherine found it both a pleasure and a torture to soak in the tub. It reminded her so much of Cameron. He used to love to bathe her or use the bath water after her. She missed all these things about him. Everything about life excited him, and he had infected her with that excitement. It was like a contagion. Now that he was gone, she missed that excitement.
It was almost time for supper, so she got dressed, left her room, and was making her way to Suzan’s room to check up on her when she came face to face with Lord Braithwaite, walking out of Cameron’s room. Two things hit her at the same time. She could have sworn she saw Cameron walking out of his room. Rubbing her eyes, she looked again, but it was only Titus Braithwaite. He didn’t look like Cameron, except in their well-developed musculature, so how could she have mistaken the two? But all this aside, why was Lord Braithwaite still at Chatterwoods? She’d thought everyone had left.
Catherine began seeing red. She didn’t know what it was about this man that got under her skin. It could be because he’d seen her at her most vulnerable. She didn’t know. She just wanted him gone.
“Lord Braithwaite, I didn’t expect to see anyone from the dinner party. I thought everyone had already gone back to their respective homes.”
“Everyone has. Unfortunately, my automobile decided to go dead on me.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“My automobile would not start. So I had to remain behind to await the arrival of my mechanic. I hope you don’t mind.”
He hoped she didn’t mind. Of course, she minded, but she couldn’t, in all honesty, tell the man exactly how she felt. “How long do you intend to remain?”
“I’m hoping not more than a couple of hours. I expect it to be an easy fix, but he has to get here to diagnose the problem.”
These men and their automobiles. Had he arrived in a carriage or on horseback, he would have none of these difficulties. Now she had inherited his problem because he had to remain in her home when she didn’t want him there.
“I hope he comes soon. Let me know if I need to have the housekeeper make a room ready for you. Now that everyone has left, I have more rooms from which to choose.”
“If I have to stay for one more night, I don’t want to put you out. I’m perfectly comfortable in the room I currently occupy, unless you have the need of it.”
“No. I don’t need it, but it’s not one of my guest rooms. It was only as a result of the larger than usual crowd that we had to utilize every room. Now that the other guests are gone, there are plenty of other available rooms on the third floor.”
*****
Titus thought he would be damned if he’d have her move him to the third floor. If he had to stay, he wanted to be within close proximity to her, not hidden away like a naughty schoolboy; although he wouldn’t blame her for treating him like one. He felt like one every time he was sharing the same space with her, which was why he’d avoided breakfast.
Catherine intrigued him. He knew he should stay away from her, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d been pleased when he found his vehicle wouldn’t start. It was as if the gods were smiling down on him. He intended to take full advantage of the opportunity given to him, so there was no way in hell he’d be moving.
“Lady Wellesley, I don’t want to put you out, but as soon as my vehicle is repaired, I’ll be on my way.”
“You’re not putting me out, Lord Braithwaite. Stay as long as you need. I’ll tell Cook to expect one more for dinner. In the meantime, if you’ll excuse me.”
Titus watched her walk away, almost at a run. He could tell his remaining behind after the other guests had left didn’t sit well with his hostess. She was just too polite to tell him to get the hell out of her home. She had, however, erected a formal barrier by addressing him so formally; he didn’t blame her. Hearing his name on her lips excited him. He knew he should go, but being near Catherine was like a monkey riding his tail.
Every time he looked at her he couldn’t help seeing her wearing that shirt, her gorgeous body exposed to him. Titus continued to tell himself he had to leave. The woman wasn’t ready for what he had in mind. Her vulnerability was apparent, but he wasn’t thinking with his head, not the one on his shoulders, anyway. He continued on his way to his automobile. He figured he had nothing to lose, so why not tinker with it to see if he could get it to start? He had the hood raised, trying to figure out why the vehicle wouldn’t start, when he saw the footman accompanying his mechanic walking toward him.
“It’s good to see you, Royce.”
“What seems to be the problem, my lord?”
“The damn thing refuses to start. Work your magic, Royce.”
“My lord, I don’t know about magic. That engine sounded great when you left yesterday. It shouldn’t be anything much. Let me check the fluid level.”
“Yes, it sounded great, but it made it here and then died.”
They spent a good hour tinkering with the motor until they concluded the vehicle would not start without a new coil, as the old one appeared to be burnt out.
“I’m going to have to go into Luton to get a new coil, my lord.”
“Yes, but the shops will be closed by the time you get there, let alone making it back before night fall. Why don’t you leave now, so you’ll be in Luton first thing in the morning? Then you can pick up the part. I’ll remain here until you can make it back tomorrow.”
“Good. I’ll be leaving now, my lord. I’ll be back in the morning.”
After saying goodbye to his mechanic, he went in search of Catherine to give her the news. He was certain she would not be happy with what he had to say. He welcomed it, but Catherine wouldn’t. He heard the dinner gong just as he was entering the receiving room. The butler walked up to him. “My lord, can I help you?”
“Yes, I was looking for Lady Wellesley.”
“Lady Wellesley will be in the dining room. Let me take you there.”
“I need to freshen up before joining her. Let her know I’ll be staying to dinner.”
“Very well, my lord.”
Titus went striding back in the direction he knew the room he’d occupied was. He had handled the engine and needed to remove the grease from his hands. He couldn’t go to his hostess’ table with his hand covered in automobile fluids.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor and wandered along the hallway until he reached a door that looked familiar. Knowing that Catherine was already in the dining room, he entered without knocking.
The sight that met his eyes had him almost reeling in shock and lust. Catherine was in the tub.
Holy cow! He tried to turn away, but he was rooted to the spot. The image of Catherine, eyes closed, wet and naked, drops of water beading on the smooth skin of her breast, was now seared into his brain.
How is she in the tub? She’s supposed to be in the dining room at dinner, according to her butler. And why is she in the tub in the wash room in his room and not in her room?
She still had not seen him, so he retreated, moving as quietly as he could, not releasing his breath until he was safely outside the door. He closed it with a definitive click and retraced his steps, almost at a run.
Titus did not stop until he reached the end of the hallway and came to a set of stairs leading down to the first floor. He was about to enter what appeared to be the kitchen when the housekeeper spotted him.
“My lord, can I help you?”
“Yes, Mrs. Hugginton, it is?”
“Yes, milord.”
“I’d like to wash this grease off my hands. Can you direct me?”
“You can use the hand basin in my lord.” She took him into a room off the kitchen, where there was a sink with a running tap. After thanking her, he spent a good ten minutes getting the grease off his hands, especially from under his fingernails. Leaving the room, he was not surprised to find Mrs. Hugginton waiting to escort him to the dining room.
He took his seat at the long dinner table and was surprised when no one else joined him. He helped himself to a glass of port while he waited. It was not long before Catherine appeared with her companion. It appeared all the other guests had returned to their respective homes, even his sister and her husband, who got a ride with one of the other guests. He was truly the only one left. He could well appreciate Catherine’s annoyance at seeing he remained, unlike the others. Even the dowager was nowhere in sight.
After the first fleeting glance at Catherine, Titus kept his gaze averted, thinking that he would never be able to look at her without being aware of what was beneath her black widow’s weeds. His found his flesh stiffening in a painful erection, just thinking of her naked in that tub. He was grateful for the placard covering him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t remain seated. He had to stand and wait until she and her companion had taken their seats before he could take his. He prayed God she didn’t look at him down there. It would be too embarrassing. He was like a teenager, always erect.
“Lord Braithwaite, have you met my companion, Suzan?”
“Yes, I believe I did, just before dinner last evening.”
“Good. It appears to be just the three of us, so we won’t stand on ceremony. How did you make out with your automobile, my lord?”
“My mechanic was not successful in repairing the vehicle. It appears to need a part, which he will bring with him in the morning. Hopefully, that will get it moving again, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“You’re not in my hair, my lord. And if you’re referring to our earlier conservation, I was merely seeking to make your stay more comfortable. I doubt you’re comfortable being in a room so close to mine. I do have some strange sleeping habits.”
Titus gave her a brief smile, but he didn’t comment. This topic was one he did not want to pursue, especially not with her companion observing everything that went on. He was thankful when the serving maids chose that moment to begin serving dinner.
The dinner was served à la Russe. The dishes were carved in the kitchen and brought around the table on platters for each person to serve him or herself. It was scrumptious meal, consisting of a first course of turtle soup, which was brought around in a tureen. Next came appetizers, dishes of raw oysters, sardines, and pickles, and then came the sides, a dish of minced meat trimmed with leaves of parsley, stewed hare, game hash, and stewed veal.
The next serving was a refreshing sorbet. This was followed by roast of mutton and finally, to end the meal, pudding and a pie accompanied by a plate of little sweet-cakes. Titus had to conclude if Catherine was looking to impress him with her Cook’s skills in the kitchen, she’d succeeded beautifully, not that he needed further impressing. He was already bowled over by his hostess. He made short work of his food. He had missed breakfast and had anticipated being home for dinner.
After the meal concluded, the usual bowl of scented water was placed on the table. This was his signal to make his exit and leave the ladies alone. He excused himself and went outside to shoot the breeze with the butler. He was not much of a port drinker, and it seemed foolish to sit alone drinking port. He’d already consumed two glasses, and anyway, port was best consumed in male company.
He left the butler and walked around his vehicle, as he enjoyed a smoke. He usually didn’t smoke, but in times like these, a good cigar was needed to calm him. Also, he’d have to go one more night without his valet. It was difficult to do his cravat, cuffs, and other little things, such as laying out his clothes and getting his shoes ready. He had not anticipated being at Chatterwoods for more than one night, like all the other guests. He’d thought he’d do fine without Brookes, but now he was questioning it. He’d manage, but he had other things to do besides taking care of his clothes.
He hoped his mechanic could get the vehicle going in the morning. He finished his smoke and made his way back to his room. He’d seen some books on a shelf in the room. He would see if he could fine one to read until he went to sleep. Titus was not used to the inactivity. In the morning, he would inquire about a horse to ride for a bit of exercise.
*****
As soon as dinner was over, Catherine couldn’t leave the dining room fast enough. She had not wanted Titus to stay another night at Chatterwoods; he unnerved her. He got under her skin like no one else had been able to since Cameron. She tried to ignore him during dinner, but she was overwhelmingly aware of him beside her. He moved with an economy of movement, his body lithe and graceful like that of a male jaguar. His muscles flexed every time he reached for the food in the center of the table. Catherine tried to avert her gaze, but as if she drawn by an invisible force, her eyes followed his hand. She hoped he got his automobile fixed tomorrow so he could leave. She increased her pace, almost to a run.
“Cate, please slow down. I can’t walk so quickly.”
“I’m sorry, Suzan, I’d forgotten you were there. My thoughts wandered for a moment.”
“You did seem a bit preoccupied during dinner. I thought it was the presence of Lord Braithwaite at the dinner table.”
“No. I never gave it a thought.” I’m lying through my teeth. She had thought of nothing but Lord Braithwaite. For the first time in two years, her first thought upon waking had not been Cameron; it had been all about Lord Braithwaite.
“I’m going to retire now, Cate, unless you need me for something.”
“No. I’ll retire early myself. Good night.”
Catherine retired early, as she told Suzan, but it was not to sleep. She tossed and turned well into the early hours, and it was almost daybreak before she fell into a fitful sleep, and the dream started almost immediately.
This was the same disturbing dream, but this time she was with Cameron when he got hit by the other vehicle. She saw the other car coming at them, and she tried to warn Cameron by screaming. She watched him struggling to escape the other automobile by swinging the steering to the right, but it wasn’t fast enough. The on-coming vehicle was moving too fast. She screamed again. Then she heard him say, “I’ve got you. Relax, sweetheart. You’re safe now.”
Catherine began crying hysterically. “I thought we were both dead, Cameron. I saw it coming at us. Thank God we were able to escape.” She felt him brushing the hair back from her face. She tilted her hair back, offering him her lips. She was just about to ask him if anything was wrong, he’d not taken her lips, when she felt his lips coaxing hers apart. She inhaled his familiar scent, opening up to him, her tongue dueling with his. Her hands inched up his chest as she yielded to him. The pleasure was wonderfully familiar. She brought her hand up to his hair and sank her fingers into the lush silkiness that she loved. She’d always loved the feel of his hair; it felt like sinking into a bowl of silk, it was short and smooth. Wait, she paused. Something wasn’t quite right. His hair felt different, and she took another deep breath of his scent before awareness returned like a jolt of lightning. Catherine eyes snapped open and she found herself staring into the sea-gray eyes of Titus.
Catherine was horrified. How could she have allowed a complete stranger to hold her and kiss her this way? Was she that desperate that she would turn to the first available man? Where was she? She tried looking around to avoid looking at Titus, who had now moved away from the bed, she saw that she was in her room and must have experienced another nightmare. She had to get him out of Cameron’s room. If she was screaming as she had the previous night, Catherine didn’t blame him for coming to her rescue, but what she couldn’t understand was why was she kissing him, and why did it seem so familiar?
“I’m sorry, Lady Wellesley, you were having another one of your nightmares. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m all right now,” she told him, still trying to avoid looking directly at him. “Thank you for coming to my aide.”
“It’s not a problem, Lady Wellesley. I’m here for you. Are you certain you are all right?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
He gave her a quizzical glance before walking out of her room and into Cameron’s. Catherine watched him leave and was even more confused watching him walk away. What was it about him that reminded her so much of her husband? She could have sworn she smelled Cameron’s scent on him, and that was not all. He kissed her the way Cameron used to kiss her, and his voice. She’d heard Cameron’s voice, or was she hearing what she wanted because she missed Cameron so much?
She wanted her life to be back to the way it was before Titus came into it. She was counting the hours until daybreak, so he could be on his way. She lay in the dark reliving what had just happened. She was not one to form attractions with strange men, so what was it about Titus that was drawing her to him? She knew she’d heard Cameron voice talking to her, or was this a dream? Was she losing her mind, confusing dreams with reality?
Catherine didn’t get a wink of sleep that night. She was up at the crack of dawn and made her way to her greenhouse. She wanted to take a tub, but the tub was in Cameron’s room, which Titus now occupied. She had to make do with her much smaller version. It was too narrow and short to lie in it, which was why Cameron had the bigger one built. For now, she’d wait to use later. Hopefully after Titus was gone.
Catherine continued on her way to her greenhouse, grateful she’d not run into Titus. She liked to think of him as Titus, not Lord Braithwaite, which somehow seemed too formal. He made her feel things. Things she hadn’t felt in years, and she resented him for it. She wanted him gone from Chatterwoods and her life back to being the way it was before the dinner party.
She spent a very satisfying morning taking care of her plants and working on a new scent she was trying to create. It was almost there, but something was missing. She had to go through the oils she had in her small apothecary to see if there was anything there she could use to enhance the scent.
Exhausted from the events of the previous night and everything that had taken place, including Titus entering her room, Catherine left the greenhouse and proceeded to go to her room. A long soak in her tub was what she needed. Catherine found it both a pleasure and a torture to soak in the tub. It reminded her so much of Cameron. He used to love to bathe her or use the bath water after her. She missed all these things about him. Everything about life excited him, and he had infected her with that excitement. It was like a contagion. Now that he was gone, she missed that excitement.
It was almost time for supper, so she got dressed, left her room, and was making her way to Suzan’s room to check up on her when she came face to face with Lord Braithwaite, walking out of Cameron’s room. Two things hit her at the same time. She could have sworn she saw Cameron walking out of his room. Rubbing her eyes, she looked again, but it was only Titus Braithwaite. He didn’t look like Cameron, except in their well-developed musculature, so how could she have mistaken the two? But all this aside, why was Lord Braithwaite still at Chatterwoods? She’d thought everyone had left.
Catherine began seeing red. She didn’t know what it was about this man that got under her skin. It could be because he’d seen her at her most vulnerable. She didn’t know. She just wanted him gone.
“Lord Braithwaite, I didn’t expect to see anyone from the dinner party. I thought everyone had already gone back to their respective homes.”
“Everyone has. Unfortunately, my automobile decided to go dead on me.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
“My automobile would not start. So I had to remain behind to await the arrival of my mechanic. I hope you don’t mind.”
He hoped she didn’t mind. Of course, she minded, but she couldn’t, in all honesty, tell the man exactly how she felt. “How long do you intend to remain?”
“I’m hoping not more than a couple of hours. I expect it to be an easy fix, but he has to get here to diagnose the problem.”
These men and their automobiles. Had he arrived in a carriage or on horseback, he would have none of these difficulties. Now she had inherited his problem because he had to remain in her home when she didn’t want him there.
“I hope he comes soon. Let me know if I need to have the housekeeper make a room ready for you. Now that everyone has left, I have more rooms from which to choose.”
“If I have to stay for one more night, I don’t want to put you out. I’m perfectly comfortable in the room I currently occupy, unless you have the need of it.”
“No. I don’t need it, but it’s not one of my guest rooms. It was only as a result of the larger than usual crowd that we had to utilize every room. Now that the other guests are gone, there are plenty of other available rooms on the third floor.”
*****
Titus thought he would be damned if he’d have her move him to the third floor. If he had to stay, he wanted to be within close proximity to her, not hidden away like a naughty schoolboy; although he wouldn’t blame her for treating him like one. He felt like one every time he was sharing the same space with her, which was why he’d avoided breakfast.
Catherine intrigued him. He knew he should stay away from her, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d been pleased when he found his vehicle wouldn’t start. It was as if the gods were smiling down on him. He intended to take full advantage of the opportunity given to him, so there was no way in hell he’d be moving.
“Lady Wellesley, I don’t want to put you out, but as soon as my vehicle is repaired, I’ll be on my way.”
“You’re not putting me out, Lord Braithwaite. Stay as long as you need. I’ll tell Cook to expect one more for dinner. In the meantime, if you’ll excuse me.”
Titus watched her walk away, almost at a run. He could tell his remaining behind after the other guests had left didn’t sit well with his hostess. She was just too polite to tell him to get the hell out of her home. She had, however, erected a formal barrier by addressing him so formally; he didn’t blame her. Hearing his name on her lips excited him. He knew he should go, but being near Catherine was like a monkey riding his tail.
Every time he looked at her he couldn’t help seeing her wearing that shirt, her gorgeous body exposed to him. Titus continued to tell himself he had to leave. The woman wasn’t ready for what he had in mind. Her vulnerability was apparent, but he wasn’t thinking with his head, not the one on his shoulders, anyway. He continued on his way to his automobile. He figured he had nothing to lose, so why not tinker with it to see if he could get it to start? He had the hood raised, trying to figure out why the vehicle wouldn’t start, when he saw the footman accompanying his mechanic walking toward him.
“It’s good to see you, Royce.”
“What seems to be the problem, my lord?”
“The damn thing refuses to start. Work your magic, Royce.”
“My lord, I don’t know about magic. That engine sounded great when you left yesterday. It shouldn’t be anything much. Let me check the fluid level.”
“Yes, it sounded great, but it made it here and then died.”
They spent a good hour tinkering with the motor until they concluded the vehicle would not start without a new coil, as the old one appeared to be burnt out.
“I’m going to have to go into Luton to get a new coil, my lord.”
“Yes, but the shops will be closed by the time you get there, let alone making it back before night fall. Why don’t you leave now, so you’ll be in Luton first thing in the morning? Then you can pick up the part. I’ll remain here until you can make it back tomorrow.”
“Good. I’ll be leaving now, my lord. I’ll be back in the morning.”
After saying goodbye to his mechanic, he went in search of Catherine to give her the news. He was certain she would not be happy with what he had to say. He welcomed it, but Catherine wouldn’t. He heard the dinner gong just as he was entering the receiving room. The butler walked up to him. “My lord, can I help you?”
“Yes, I was looking for Lady Wellesley.”
“Lady Wellesley will be in the dining room. Let me take you there.”
“I need to freshen up before joining her. Let her know I’ll be staying to dinner.”
“Very well, my lord.”
Titus went striding back in the direction he knew the room he’d occupied was. He had handled the engine and needed to remove the grease from his hands. He couldn’t go to his hostess’ table with his hand covered in automobile fluids.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor and wandered along the hallway until he reached a door that looked familiar. Knowing that Catherine was already in the dining room, he entered without knocking.
The sight that met his eyes had him almost reeling in shock and lust. Catherine was in the tub.
Holy cow! He tried to turn away, but he was rooted to the spot. The image of Catherine, eyes closed, wet and naked, drops of water beading on the smooth skin of her breast, was now seared into his brain.
How is she in the tub? She’s supposed to be in the dining room at dinner, according to her butler. And why is she in the tub in the wash room in his room and not in her room?
She still had not seen him, so he retreated, moving as quietly as he could, not releasing his breath until he was safely outside the door. He closed it with a definitive click and retraced his steps, almost at a run.
Titus did not stop until he reached the end of the hallway and came to a set of stairs leading down to the first floor. He was about to enter what appeared to be the kitchen when the housekeeper spotted him.
“My lord, can I help you?”
“Yes, Mrs. Hugginton, it is?”
“Yes, milord.”
“I’d like to wash this grease off my hands. Can you direct me?”
“You can use the hand basin in my lord.” She took him into a room off the kitchen, where there was a sink with a running tap. After thanking her, he spent a good ten minutes getting the grease off his hands, especially from under his fingernails. Leaving the room, he was not surprised to find Mrs. Hugginton waiting to escort him to the dining room.
He took his seat at the long dinner table and was surprised when no one else joined him. He helped himself to a glass of port while he waited. It was not long before Catherine appeared with her companion. It appeared all the other guests had returned to their respective homes, even his sister and her husband, who got a ride with one of the other guests. He was truly the only one left. He could well appreciate Catherine’s annoyance at seeing he remained, unlike the others. Even the dowager was nowhere in sight.
After the first fleeting glance at Catherine, Titus kept his gaze averted, thinking that he would never be able to look at her without being aware of what was beneath her black widow’s weeds. His found his flesh stiffening in a painful erection, just thinking of her naked in that tub. He was grateful for the placard covering him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t remain seated. He had to stand and wait until she and her companion had taken their seats before he could take his. He prayed God she didn’t look at him down there. It would be too embarrassing. He was like a teenager, always erect.
“Lord Braithwaite, have you met my companion, Suzan?”
“Yes, I believe I did, just before dinner last evening.”
“Good. It appears to be just the three of us, so we won’t stand on ceremony. How did you make out with your automobile, my lord?”
“My mechanic was not successful in repairing the vehicle. It appears to need a part, which he will bring with him in the morning. Hopefully, that will get it moving again, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“You’re not in my hair, my lord. And if you’re referring to our earlier conservation, I was merely seeking to make your stay more comfortable. I doubt you’re comfortable being in a room so close to mine. I do have some strange sleeping habits.”
Titus gave her a brief smile, but he didn’t comment. This topic was one he did not want to pursue, especially not with her companion observing everything that went on. He was thankful when the serving maids chose that moment to begin serving dinner.
The dinner was served à la Russe. The dishes were carved in the kitchen and brought around the table on platters for each person to serve him or herself. It was scrumptious meal, consisting of a first course of turtle soup, which was brought around in a tureen. Next came appetizers, dishes of raw oysters, sardines, and pickles, and then came the sides, a dish of minced meat trimmed with leaves of parsley, stewed hare, game hash, and stewed veal.
The next serving was a refreshing sorbet. This was followed by roast of mutton and finally, to end the meal, pudding and a pie accompanied by a plate of little sweet-cakes. Titus had to conclude if Catherine was looking to impress him with her Cook’s skills in the kitchen, she’d succeeded beautifully, not that he needed further impressing. He was already bowled over by his hostess. He made short work of his food. He had missed breakfast and had anticipated being home for dinner.
After the meal concluded, the usual bowl of scented water was placed on the table. This was his signal to make his exit and leave the ladies alone. He excused himself and went outside to shoot the breeze with the butler. He was not much of a port drinker, and it seemed foolish to sit alone drinking port. He’d already consumed two glasses, and anyway, port was best consumed in male company.
He left the butler and walked around his vehicle, as he enjoyed a smoke. He usually didn’t smoke, but in times like these, a good cigar was needed to calm him. Also, he’d have to go one more night without his valet. It was difficult to do his cravat, cuffs, and other little things, such as laying out his clothes and getting his shoes ready. He had not anticipated being at Chatterwoods for more than one night, like all the other guests. He’d thought he’d do fine without Brookes, but now he was questioning it. He’d manage, but he had other things to do besides taking care of his clothes.
He hoped his mechanic could get the vehicle going in the morning. He finished his smoke and made his way back to his room. He’d seen some books on a shelf in the room. He would see if he could fine one to read until he went to sleep. Titus was not used to the inactivity. In the morning, he would inquire about a horse to ride for a bit of exercise.
*****
As soon as dinner was over, Catherine couldn’t leave the dining room fast enough. She had not wanted Titus to stay another night at Chatterwoods; he unnerved her. He got under her skin like no one else had been able to since Cameron. She tried to ignore him during dinner, but she was overwhelmingly aware of him beside her. He moved with an economy of movement, his body lithe and graceful like that of a male jaguar. His muscles flexed every time he reached for the food in the center of the table. Catherine tried to avert her gaze, but as if she drawn by an invisible force, her eyes followed his hand. She hoped he got his automobile fixed tomorrow so he could leave. She increased her pace, almost to a run.
“Cate, please slow down. I can’t walk so quickly.”
“I’m sorry, Suzan, I’d forgotten you were there. My thoughts wandered for a moment.”
“You did seem a bit preoccupied during dinner. I thought it was the presence of Lord Braithwaite at the dinner table.”
“No. I never gave it a thought.” I’m lying through my teeth. She had thought of nothing but Lord Braithwaite. For the first time in two years, her first thought upon waking had not been Cameron; it had been all about Lord Braithwaite.
“I’m going to retire now, Cate, unless you need me for something.”
“No. I’ll retire early myself. Good night.”
Catherine retired early, as she told Suzan, but it was not to sleep. She tossed and turned well into the early hours, and it was almost daybreak before she fell into a fitful sleep, and the dream started almost immediately.
This was the same disturbing dream, but this time she was with Cameron when he got hit by the other vehicle. She saw the other car coming at them, and she tried to warn Cameron by screaming. She watched him struggling to escape the other automobile by swinging the steering to the right, but it wasn’t fast enough. The on-coming vehicle was moving too fast. She screamed again. Then she heard him say, “I’ve got you. Relax, sweetheart. You’re safe now.”
Catherine began crying hysterically. “I thought we were both dead, Cameron. I saw it coming at us. Thank God we were able to escape.” She felt him brushing the hair back from her face. She tilted her hair back, offering him her lips. She was just about to ask him if anything was wrong, he’d not taken her lips, when she felt his lips coaxing hers apart. She inhaled his familiar scent, opening up to him, her tongue dueling with his. Her hands inched up his chest as she yielded to him. The pleasure was wonderfully familiar. She brought her hand up to his hair and sank her fingers into the lush silkiness that she loved. She’d always loved the feel of his hair; it felt like sinking into a bowl of silk, it was short and smooth. Wait, she paused. Something wasn’t quite right. His hair felt different, and she took another deep breath of his scent before awareness returned like a jolt of lightning. Catherine eyes snapped open and she found herself staring into the sea-gray eyes of Titus.
Catherine was horrified. How could she have allowed a complete stranger to hold her and kiss her this way? Was she that desperate that she would turn to the first available man? Where was she? She tried looking around to avoid looking at Titus, who had now moved away from the bed, she saw that she was in her room and must have experienced another nightmare. She had to get him out of Cameron’s room. If she was screaming as she had the previous night, Catherine didn’t blame him for coming to her rescue, but what she couldn’t understand was why was she kissing him, and why did it seem so familiar?
“I’m sorry, Lady Wellesley, you were having another one of your nightmares. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m all right now,” she told him, still trying to avoid looking directly at him. “Thank you for coming to my aide.”
“It’s not a problem, Lady Wellesley. I’m here for you. Are you certain you are all right?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
He gave her a quizzical glance before walking out of her room and into Cameron’s. Catherine watched him leave and was even more confused watching him walk away. What was it about him that reminded her so much of her husband? She could have sworn she smelled Cameron’s scent on him, and that was not all. He kissed her the way Cameron used to kiss her, and his voice. She’d heard Cameron’s voice, or was she hearing what she wanted because she missed Cameron so much?
She wanted her life to be back to the way it was before Titus came into it. She was counting the hours until daybreak, so he could be on his way. She lay in the dark reliving what had just happened. She was not one to form attractions with strange men, so what was it about Titus that was drawing her to him? She knew she’d heard Cameron voice talking to her, or was this a dream? Was she losing her mind, confusing dreams with reality?
Catherine didn’t get a wink of sleep that night. She was up at the crack of dawn and made her way to her greenhouse. She wanted to take a tub, but the tub was in Cameron’s room, which Titus now occupied. She had to make do with her much smaller version. It was too narrow and short to lie in it, which was why Cameron had the bigger one built. For now, she’d wait to use later. Hopefully after Titus was gone.