The Pirate & The Porcelain Doll (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 25

Waverly smiled graciously at Jinny, entering the house, nearly bumping into Robin who emerged from the parlour, clearly drunk and in a very good mood. "Waverly, Waverly, you made it. Let me take your bag for you. So good you could come. Jez is somewhere, Nicole's somewhere too. You must meet everyone."

"Thank you. I'm looking for Nicole."

"Come, let us go hunting for her. She's been busy making cocktails. Frightfully good. Had three already."

They headed for the kitchen, Waverly spying Nicole talking to an unusually tall gentleman she did not recognise. "Waverly come meet Thoby," Nicole said on seeing her enter. "May I introduce Jinny's brother, another Trinity fellow. I told him you're at Girton."

The tall gentleman held out his hand. "Absolute pleasure to meet you, Miss Earp. How are you finding Cambridge?"

Waverly shook his hand politely. "Stimulating. Do forgive me, Nicole could I speak with you a moment."

Waverly dragged Nicole to the hall, now filling with other guests. With no other place to speak in private, she yanked on Nicole's hand to follow her upstairs. "Is this another one of your disrobing moments," Nicole teased, receiving no response from Waverly. "We really should stay and meet the guests. They might wonder where we are."

Reaching Nicole's room, Waverly pushed her inside, closing the door after her, locking it. "What is that woman doing here?" she demanded.

"By that woman, do you mean Jinny?"

"Of course I mean Jinny. And, why have you told her about us? I bet she loved hearing all about what we did at the cottage. How could you?"

"Wait, wait. Waverly sit down and let me explain."

"I'm not sitting anywhere with you. You'll go straight to Jinny and tell her everything."

"Fine. Then I'll sit. Firstly, I did not invite Jinny, Thoby did. Secondly, I have said nothing to her about us. Nothing. I repeat nothing. However, Jinny being Jinny is perceptive enough to know why I might now be in Cambridge, given you are here. Thirdly, why does it matter if Jinny is here?"

"Because," Waverly replied, no longer sure why Jinny's presence was all that important. "Because, she knows you. And, she knows what we might do. Together. Alone. Here."

"I see. So, if I've followed correctly, Jinny being here is not the problem. Jinny having been in bed with me is the problem."

"Yes. No. I...and, you didn't say anything to her about us?"

"No. I'm hardly going to say I've kissed your breasts and they were divine. Better than I ever imagined. Mind you, knowing Jinny she would delight in such information. She really does like you, if you would give her a chance."

Waverly felt her stomach flutter at the mention of being kissed by Nicole in the manner described. She still had the sensual memory of that moment in the cottage, which had replaced her dreams about telescopes and family berating her over Nicole. "I do like her. She's interesting. And, different."

"Interesting, and different, and definitely not in my bed," Nicole replied, glancing over at that piece of furniture. "Are you staying? I can have the carriage return you to college if you wish."

"I'm staying. I have a pass from the porter for the weekend. I lied and said I was going home."

"Waverly Earp, you're getting as bad as me. Where's your bag?"

"Robin has it. I think."

"You know, you really are more passionate than I would have believed. I'm quite enjoying it. Makes you interesting and different. I'm also very agreeable to you being jealous."