The next date with the earl came up, without Jack and Pete coming back. Although she didn't spent much time with them, Katherine missed them already. Sadly, the replacements didn't want to tell her were they went or when they'll be back. Was it some kind of mission? She'd question the earl about it later just to make sure they were alright.As for the date, Katherine had everything prepared. Her dress was simple this time, because the last one hadn't caused a good reaction and she needed to have more freedom of movement today. In white and with a straw-hat she looked innocent and pure. Picking up the thing she'd made with Hazel's help, she strode to the entrance hall.Nathaniel was already there, waiting for her. He'd donned a red shirt and his usual black gloves. He didn't put in any extra-afford, but that shirt high-lighting his eyes was enough to exclude a devilish charm. Counting in his soft white hair... Katherine bit her lower lip. She really wanted to know how i

Just as he was about to get out of sight, Katherine remembered she still hadn't asked him about Jack and Pete. With a startled "Ah!" she stretched out her hand but slowly pulled it back right after. No, she didn't have the courage to see into his face again. At least not today.Judging by his demeanor, she completely believed that he really could kill her, if he needed to. However, the sentence was somehow wrong. Why did he say 'it might just kill you' not 'I will kill you'? The latter was more threatening and more definite, while the first one was rather vague. A 'I might or might not kill you'. Not that she wanted to gamble her life on the 'might not' but it was strange, wasn't it? Like he hadn't decided it yet or it was out of his control, though that was somewhat implausible.Maybe he just wanted to let himself a way out, she concluded, and started to pull the kite down. She wasn't in the mood to play with it anymore. She wasn't even sure she could keep stalking th

"Umm", Jack made, not knowing how to react. Of course he didn't want to tell her the truth about their wounds. Knowing that they where injured already made her upset, so obviously it would be worse if she knew the extend.With his eyes he send 'help me!'-signals to Pete, who could find solutions to nearly all problems.A pity though, that Pete felt like Jack needed to learn how to solve problems by himself and not throw every difficult conversation at his partner. So, Pete folded his arms and turned away, pretending that he didn't see the sorrowful look.This action of abandonment made Jack think about knocking that bastard out cold. It wasn't only his problem, okay?! The lady was addressing the both of them!In the end, he had no choice but to tell her. Being employed by the earl while at the same time not offending the lady was really like staying between a rock and a hard place. "Well... there may be a few scratches on our backs. But you really don't n

After relaying her decision to the earl, there was nothing Katherine could do besides waiting. Nervousness was sweeping through her whole being as the earl could throw her out every minute. Whatever, she wouldn't back out of this one.When Sam came back, he looked rather apologetic, making her heart sped up."What did he say?", she asked anxiously. Hopefully there would be some backdoor, some way to get what she wanted without loosing what she already had. Her heart pounded vigorously.Sam shook his head. "He didn't even ask for your proposal."Katherine's heart skipped a beat. Did that mean he rejected her requests without even hearing the contents? Had she offended him so much with the kiss? No, no, please not!"Instead he said he would discuss new terms with you on Monday at dinner. He doesn't like to talk over a third person. Until then the old terms will be valid."Hearing that, Katherine heaved a sigh of relieve. At least he didn't rej

After building up so much tension, the 'I can't ride' wasn't really enough to shock Katherine. She just nodded. "Oh, so that's it."This simple reply, on the other hand, made Hazel's stunned. She'd been so anxious that the lady would be disappointed over her lack of ability, but Katherine didn't seem to be disturbed at all. "But milady, aren't you sad that I can't go with you?"Irritated, Katherine knitted her brows. "Why shouldn't you come with us? Isn't it just riding? I can ride, those two can ride. As long as you don't fear horses, you can get on.""M-milady!" Hazel's eyes filled with tears again, but joyous ones this time.With a chuckle, Katherine rolled her eyes at her. "Stop crying, silly, and get on!"She led Bell to Hazel's side and reached out her hands. The both of them were wearing trousers underneath their dresses today, as Katherine knew sitting sideways on a horse like real ladies was just too troublesome.It took three tries