Chapter 4: I knew you were trouble

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Summary:

An unexpected visitor arrives

Notes:

I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So, shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
Now I'm lying on the cold hard ground


Chapter Text

After Anthony left, Kate stayed awake, thinking about running away with him. And then she chastised herself for such thoughts, how could she even think like that? Her struggle between desire and duty went on till early hours, she had barely slept a wink. Then, it was too late to sleep. She thought perhaps a morning ride would calm her. She dressed and walked to the stables, it was still too early for any stable-hands, and she decided to choose her horse and saddle it herself.

She saw Anthony's horse. It recognized her from their morning encounters. She went up to it and offered her palm and the horse brought its nose forward sniffing it. Kate petted its forehead and cooed "You are so beautiful; do you want to go for a ride with me?"

Then, she heard Anthony's voice "That is my horse, you mallet thief. You cannot take my horse as well." She turned to see he was dressed for a morning ride as well and had a teasing smile on his lips.

Kate's competitive streak flared. She challenged him. "I distinctly recall you saying, I could take any horse. Are you going back on your word?" Anthony walked right up to her, his nose within an inch of hers, she could feel his warm breath on her face. He purred "Anyone, but this one. I do not share what is mine." Kate looked into his eyes and saw her desire mirrored in them. She felt she would burst into flames and needed to touch his lips with hers.

A stable hand coughed loudly to announce his presence. Kate went back several steps, muttered "Apologies, my lord" and then started walking back to the house.

The stable hand tried to intervene politely "Miss, would you like to try Lilibet, this is miss Eloise's horse and a beauty. I can saddle her up for you in a moment." Kate muttered "No, please don't. I think I will not ride today." Anthony felt bad "Kate, wait a minute." Kate said " I am truly sorry my lord, it won't happen again" and tried again to make her way back to the house. Anthony blocked her "You can have my horse. I am sorry."

Kate continued staring at the ground. She felt humiliated. Anthony dismissed the stable hand "I will saddle the horses. Do not come back until we return" The stable hand tipped his cap and hurried out of the stables. Anthony looked at Kate who was breathing hard 'Kate you can have my horse."

Kate just fell into Anthony's arms still breathing hard, "I have to die, there is no other way"

Anthony was shocked. He shook her and demanded "What are you saying Kate?" Kate looked at him with fear and said "He knows, he will tell everyone. My sister will be ruined. I will be ruined. I cannot live after this." Anthony hugged her tightly and said "No, upon my honor, no one in this house will speak one word. They have all worked with my family for generations, we take care of each family like our own. And you will not speak of death unless you wish to see me die." Kate was sobbing on his chest and cried "No. don't say that!"

Anthony raised her chin gently with one finger and looked into her eyes "I mean it. Do not even think about it" and gently kissed her forehead. He held her gently, till he felt her calm down. Then he said, "Let us go for a ride. You will feel better. Give me a minute to saddle Lillibet, you can ride on Jack." Kate finally smiled "No thank you, my lord, I'll take Lillibet. I don't want to give you any excuses for losing today. It's your horsemanship, not your horse." Anthony laughed "I will gladly lose to you, my lady" as he saddled Lillibet and helped Kate mount her.

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