Stirring Passions by Maggi Andersen

Author:Maggi Andersen [Andersen, Maggi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

An invitation followed shortly after Kate's first trip to Almacks for the family to attend a small party at Sir Harold's London home. Kate felt excited. Here was her chance. When the opportunity arose, she planned to slip away and search Sir Harold's private papers. She was sure something would come to light.

She chose the white silk evening gown trimmed with rosebuds and pastel pink underdress. The one her mother thought suited her best of all.

Laurie had been laying in wait for her. He grabbed her as she left her room and dragged her into a dark corner of the upper landing.

"What are you doing,” she asked crossly, smoothing her gown.

"I don't know what you are planning in that head of yours, but be very careful tonight, Kat."

"I'm sure I don't know what you have in your head, my Lord,” Kate said, pulling free and flouncing off down the stairs. Laurie really was becoming quite a bore. He hadn't even noticed her new gown or complimented her on how well she looked.

Sir Harold's town house was an elegantly furnished establishment. Sir Harold took her arm to lead her into dinner and placed her to his right at the head of the table. Wine was served with the Turbot and quail dishes. Lord Firth complimented him on his fine cellar as French Champagne accompanied the syllabub. After dinner, they played card games in the drawing room. Kate played one game of piquet with Laurie. She was impatient to investigate Sir Harold's study, so she let him win. As it was she who always won this surprised Laurie.

His surprise turned to suspicion when she rose from the table, begging to be excused.

"Where are you going, Kat?” he asked loudly.

Kate unfurled her fan and looked at him askance as his mother came to her rescue. “Really, Laurence, I thought we taught you better manners than that. You never ask a lady such a thing,” she said. “Please let Katherine go. Come and sit with me and talk to Lady Forrester."

Laurie glowered at Kate as his mother led him away. Kate chose that moment to slip from the room. She had glanced in every room when they'd arrived and surmised that Sir Harold's study must be on the floor above. There was no one about as she climbed the stairs. The first room she came to made her gasp in surprise. It was Sir Harold's bedroom. On the wall above the bed was an enormous crest of ostrich feathers from which purple silk drapes cascaded. Kate gazed at it spellbound, then quickly fled through a door beside the monstrous bed. This was quite obviously a gentleman's study. A large desk and leather chair sat at one end. Running over to it, Kate saw with dismay that the desktop was covered in reams of paper. She looked back at the door then began quickly searching through. She didn't know what she should be looking for. Most were government business, and tradesman's bills. Nothing leapt out at her.

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