Chapter 8

Previously On The Heiress:

I sighed in relief once the fresh, fragrant air of the gardens surrounded me. There was something so calming about being within the peace and quiet of nature. Walking further down a quiet and remote zone of the garden, I witnessed a maid and a man-servant.

 I stood transfixed in one spot as I watched the scene unfold in front of me. I had never seen anything quite like it before. Kissing wasn't foreign thing to me, people did it all the times at balls I'd attended. But this was something entirely different. There was more passion with this. Quickly, I hid behind a bush to avoid being caught.

Angelica: Gerard...

Gerard: Shh... No one can know.

Angelica: But why?

Gerard: I don't think my master would take kindly to it.

Angelica: Oh..

I watched as Angelica sighs, before looking around. Suddenly her eyes caught mine and I jumped back.

Angelica: Sorry, Gerard, I'm needed with my mistress.

Suddenly, I was being pulled back into the regular part of the garden.

Kitty: Angelica, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean...

Angelica: Kitty, It's alright. We should have been more careful.

Kitty: I wont tell anyone! But who was that man?

Angelica: Thank you. He's Lord Radcliffe's valet.

Kitty: He's who?!

Angelica: Kitty, please. I didn't even know until a few weeks ago.

Kitty: I suppose I cant fault you for that.

Angelica: Gerard wants it to stay quiet for now. 

Kitty: But you should open up about it. The two of you could get married...

Angelica: It's not that simple, Kitty.

I sighed before pursing my lips together. I knew there was no sense in trying to pry. Angelica was incredibly secretive when she wanted to be. Walking back into the house, I spotted mom looking as happy as ever. She almost looked like she took a little something if you know what I mean.

Anne: Oh, good you're here!

Kitty: Oh no. 

Anne: I need you to come with me.

Kitty: Why?

Anne: The seamstress is here to help you pick out a dress for Lord Radcliffe's dinner!

Kitty: Absolutely not! Mama, please, no. I'll just wear my nice day dress.

Anne: No daughter of mine is going to go to a dinner with a duke looking like a 'nice day dress'.

Kitty: Please?

Anne: Nope. Now hurry up. Madame Evette won't be kept waiting.

Mom said while dragging me to my room for fitting. Just kill me now!

Madame Evette: This is what you give me to work with?

I raised a brow as the French woman gestured over ma vaguely. Did this bitch just...? For the past five minutes she'd done nothing but take small notes and mumble things in French. And my French was passable at best.

Kitty: Pardon?

Anne: Can you fix it?

Kitty: I have ears you know. 

Anne: Hush, Kitty, It's rude to eavesdrop.

Madame Evette: I can fix it with a Madam Evette design. The attitude might take more though. I can sew her mouth shut for you?

She's about to catch these hands.

Anne: No, no. Wed hate for her to not be able to say the vows.

Madame Evette: I have a beautiful dress for you! Try it on. Understood?

Kitty: Um..

Madam Evette: Understood!

Kitty: Yes!

Madame Evette: Alright, let's get to it. 



Madame Evette: This one is a simple put together design. Perfect. My work here is done.

Anne: Katherine, what do you say to Madame Evette?

Kitty: Thank you for taking the time to fit me for a dress, Madame Evette. 

Madame Evette: I grow bored of this chatter. Mrs. Hawthorne, lead me out!

Anne: Right away, Madame!

Talk about Grade A Bitch. After the more than interesting fitting with Madame Evette I went to one place I truly felt at peace with. Only to see Dante standing there, gazing into the distance sadly. 

Kitty: Dante? 

He looked blankly ahead, as if not actually noticing me as I moved closer. 

Kitty: Dante!

I raised my voice a bit which caused him to startle. 

Dante: Katherine.

Kitty: What are you doing out here? And why are you just staring blankly into space?

Dante: Pardon?

Kitty: You just seem out of the sorts. I wanted to make sure you were alright.

Dante: Kitty...I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Kitty, I need you to distract me.

Kitty: What?

Dante: Talk about anything, please. Tell me about your day.

Kitty: Oh, well, I was forced into a fitting with Madame Evette.

Dante: The Madame Evette?!

Kitty: No, the other one.

Dante: What's she like? I've heard she's terrifying.

Kitty: She suggested we sew my mouth shut.

Dante: Not allowed.

Kitty: I should say not! I quite like my voice,

Dante: I quite like it too. So, what brings you out here?

Kitty: I was going to practice my archery, but it grows late.

Dante: Oh, shit. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked for so long.

Kitty: It's alright. I'll just practice tomorrow. 

Dante: Oh, alright. Can I escort you back?

Kitty: I don't see why not.

Dante: Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you.

Kitty: You're welcome.

He gave me a small smile before leaning forward in the darkness and kissing my cheek gently.

Kitty: At least your lips didn't slip this time. 

Dante: They can if you'd like.

His gaze moved to my lips as he took a step closer.

Kitty: Dante.

Dante: Kitty.

He eyed my lips again as he leaned forward some and lifted my chin up.

Kitty: D-Dante, what are you doing?

Dante: Isn't it obvious?

Kitty: If you try to kiss me again, I'll slap you.

Dante: Technically, it wouldn't be again.

Kitty: Excuse me?

Dante: You kissed me.

Kitty: Only because you dared me to!

Dante: Would you like me to dare you again?

Kitty: Don't you dare! 

Dante: You'd like to dare me then?

His voice was taunting as he glanced around before returning his gaze to my mouth.

Kitty: I dare you to leave me alone.

Dante: Now that's not very sweet.

Kitty: Goodnight, Lord Radcliffe.

Dante: Remember the dinner.

Kitty: You'll be lucky if I do.