Chapter 1

 

Kate finally plucked up the courage to knock on the closed study door after waiting nervously, pacing up and down the hallway and going over in her head again and again what she needed to say to the Earl when she finally saw him.

"Who is it? Come in, and don't keep on banging. I cannot hear myself think," came a deep voice almost immediately.

Kate took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping into the one room on the large manor estate that she had never, until now, been given access to.

"So, what is it that you are seeking from me so desperately?"

Kate turned to trace the direction of the voice. She tried to keep her shock and wonder from her expression as she became faced with peculiar objects spread across the walls and floor, none that she had ever seen the likes of before. There were also several piles of books spread out on several tables.

"I saw you from my window a week ago. I was expecting you to send for me earlier. When you didn't, I thought I would take it upon myself to see you. I wanted to speak to you on an important matter."

Kate did not know what was coming over her. All of a sudden, she felt herself go tongue tied as she looked into a mesmerising pair of deep blue eyes.

The Earl seemed slightly older and somehow manlier from when she had seen him last around five years ago. He had the same dark blonde hair that was slightly longer than what was in fashion and perfect chiselled features, although the growth of hair across his chin and part of his cheeks masked a large part of his handsome face.

"Oh, Kate, dear Kate, is that you? Let me take a look at you," he sounded enthusiastic as he walked to her, putting down a strange long metal object onto the table next to him.