Page 13 of Trust in Truth
Katherine wandered over to Anna and placed a biscuit in her mouth. “Shortbread. Your favourite I believe. Shall we shower and head out to dinner?”
“Have you booked anywhere?” Anna asked through a mouthful of biscuit.
“No, I thought we’d wander and see where we ended up. After seeing how busy it was today, I’m regretting that.”
“Well, I’m quite tired, so how about we freshen up, order some room service and a bottle, and watch a movie?”
“If that’s what you want, I’m more than happy. Shall we upgrade the shower to a bath for two?”
Chapter 6
Katherine woke first the next morning. An instant recollection of the night before reminded her why she lay naked in bed. She had felt quite relieved when Anna had suggested they stay in and order room service, their journey and busy afternoon had exhausted her. She was acutely aware that she might not have as much stamina as Anna and hadn’t wished to cramp her style by suggesting they stay in. Their stamina had certainly returned once their steaks and red wine had settled. They had fallen asleep wrapped in each other’s arms following a rather heated evening.
Her own plans for the weekend had gradually fallen apart. With Harry unwell, she knew Anna would be distracted and unhappy. What’s more, she wondered if the engagement ring going missing might be a sign not to bother, yet she was desperate to ask Anna to marry her. She’d hyped herself up to do it, and she didn’t want to back out now.
A lucky spot in the Jane Austen Centre gift shop had at least resolved one of those problems. Not wishing to hurry Anna, Katherine had wandered into the gift shop to see if there were any gifts she could buy her for Christmas. She had spotted a quaint turquoise ring. The chatty sales assistant informed her it was a replica of one of only three pieces of jewellery that Jane Austen was known to have worn.
It was perfect for a proposal. She could replace it later with a diamond ring or the original, if she could ever find it. The only snag was that the rings were made to order. She had pleaded her case with the assistant, who finally gave in and let her buy the display model. If it didn’t fit, they could have it adjusted when they returned home.
Anna was lying naked with the sheets only partially covering her body. Her soft skin called out to be touched. Katherine wasn’t ready to wake her yet, so she let her eyes do the touching for her. It took her back to the first night they had shared a bed, the night Harry had fallen. Katherine had woken first, and although Anna was fully clothed then, she had spent about fifteen minutes simply staring at her whilst she slept.
Her heart fluttered at the thought that this beautiful woman might be her fiancée in a few hours. She couldn’t hold herself back anymore and leaned forward to kiss Anna’s exposed breast, teasing her nipple with her tongue. Her hand quickly found the other one and gave it a light squeeze. Anna’s groan told her it had had the desired effect, and she looked up as Anna opened her eyes.
“Happy birthday, my love.”
A wide smile crossed Anna’s face as she stretched.
Katherine leaned into her and kissed her dry lips. Anna was always at her most beautiful first thing in the morning. Katherine leaned away, but Anna pulled her back down towards her, allowing her hands to wander.
A knock resounded throughout the room.
“That will be breakfast. Why don’t you jump in the shower whilst I sort this?”
Katherine wolf-whistled at Anna’s naked body as she leapt from the bed and ran to the bathroom. Katherine grabbed her robe from the chair beside the bed and opened the door to room service. A young man wheeled a trolley in and then retreated with a smile. Her stomach rumbled at the aroma of bacon and eggs.
She laid the table by the window, pouring them both a glass of orange juice. Breakfast was almost perfect; it was just missing two things. Katherine rummaged at the bottom of her suitcase and pulled out two presents, placing them behind the table so Anna wouldn’t see them immediately.
She could still hear the shower, so she took the opportunity to call Lucy to check in on Harry. His cough had been playing on her mind. It became more of a concern when Lucy informed her that he’d suffered a choking episode during dinner a few days before. Katherine knew exactly what that meant and had insisted that Lucy call the doctor and ask him to visit that morning.
If it was something like aspiration pneumonia from a piece of food sticking in his lungs, then they should be heading straight home. She decided that would be premature without an update from the doctor first, it would be unforgivable to worry Anna without a diagnosis. Harry wouldn’t wish for Anna’s birthday, or the prospect of a proposal ruined by him being unwell. They were due back tomorrow; they could go directly to visit him on the way home if need be. It could just be a cold.
Anna emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a white, fluffy robe, with her hair bound up in a towel. She approached Katherine at the breakfast table. “This looks amazing.”
Katherine slipped her hand inside Anna’s robe. “This feels amazing.”
Anna squealed and tapped her arm. “Stop messing about. Let’s eat, and then we can get on with the day.”
Katherine reluctantly extracted her hand from within the warm gown, and they tucked into a cooked breakfast, croissants, fruit, and cereal.
Anna rubbed at her belly. “I don’t think I’ll need lunch after all this.”
“I thought we’d skip lunch and have afternoon tea at the park instead.”
Anna’s eyes widened. “Yes, let’s do that. It’s been an age since I had afternoon tea.”
“I called Lucy whilst you were in the shower just to check in on Harry. She mentioned he had a choking episode at dinner the other night.”
Anna looked at her with concern. Katherine thought it was best not to elaborate further, she just wanted to make Anna aware in case the worst happened, and it had caused Harry to be ill.
