Page 53 of One Bed for the Bluestocking
Kate wasn’t about to complain.But she silently vowed that one of these days, she would bring him to completion with her mouth.
As they approached the scheduled date of their departure, they discussed how they would comport themselves for the remainder of their trip.They were in Scotland, which meant that they could wed without the need to call the banns or secure a license.But as much as they both wished to marry immediately, they agreed that it would be best to wait until they returned to Edinburgh.“Kit” turning out to be “Kate” would be enough of a scandal in the cosmopolitan capital.The people of the Hebrides were renowned for being both pious and conservative, and they agreed that the news that an unmarried couple had been sharing a bed would not be well-received, even if they attempted to make things right with a wedding.They therefore agreed that Kate would continue wearing her disguise for now, but they would marry as soon as they returned to Edinburgh.
As they stepped out of the shieling for the last time, Kate cast a wistful glance toward the mountain where they had spent so many happy days.
Nat understood her feelings intuitively.“I’m sad to leave, too.But don’t worry.We’ll come back someday.”
She smiled at him.“Yes.Yes, we will.”
It only took one trip to ferry their possessions back to the coast as they had eaten almost all their provisions.Kate was worried that Mr.MacIvor might not be waiting for them, considering how many days past the agreed-on date he had arrived in Stornoway.But they only had to pass two nights in the shieling by the white-sand beach before his boat appeared on the horizon.By this time, Kate’s breasts were bound, her cravat was knotted up to her chin, and what few curves she possessed were carefully concealed beneath her padded coat.“Kit” was ready for one final appearance.
Back at the Star Inn, Mr.MacRitchie had saved them their old room.The ship that would carry them back to Edinburgh was already in port, so they would depart on the morrow.Kate thought with a pang that there wasn’t even any point in getting out her watercolors to start testing color combinations; there wouldn’t be time for the paint to dry before their departure.
And so, the time came to spend one final night in the bed they had shared so fitfully together, back whenKatehad beenKit.At least this time, Kate was able to unbind her breasts for the night and remove her trousers.
Nat sat on the edge of the mattress.“We’ll have to get used to sleeping in a real bed again.”
“Indeed.”Kate dropped her voice to a whisper.“Do you remember our first night in this room?You went straight to the washstand, took off your shirt and started splashing yourself with water.I was in agony from wanting you, and the whole while, you were blissfully oblivious, thinking I was a boy.”
Nathaniel laughed.“I remained oblivious for longer than I remained blissful.The next morning, I was at a loss to explain why I woke with a painful erection and couldn’t seem to keep my hands off my male illustrator.Each morning, I had to pretend things were somehow normal.”He waved a hand.“Carry on!Nothing to see here!”
Kate smiled.“And here I thought I was the one inflicting myself upon you.”
“No.It was very much mutual.”
She nodded toward the narrow bed.“At least tonight, we’ll be able to make good use of that bed.”
A pained expression stole into his eyes.“I’m not sure that would be wise.The inn is full, and the walls are thin.And the islanders are a pious people.This isn’t some fancy London hotel where no one thinks a thing about an unmarried couple meeting for a rendezvous.”
Kate shrugged.“So, we’ll need to be quiet.We can do that.”
He arched an eyebrow.“Can you?”
Kate bristled.“What are you saying?That I’m loud?”
He held both hands up, palms out.“Do not mistake me.I enjoy your… enthusiasm.But?—”
“You have the nerve to imply thatIam the problem here?”She crossed the room in two strides to jab him in the shoulder.“You, Nathaniel Sterling, are not any better!”
A smug, masculine look swept across his handsome features.“I most certainly am.”
She was going to wipe that smug expression off his handsome face.Without warning, she grasped the hem of her shirt and yanked it over her head.
She wore nothing beneath.She noted with some satisfaction the way Nat’s eyes immediately strayed to her breasts.“Kate,” he breathed, reaching out to stroke a pebbled nipple with his thumb.
She stepped out of his grasp.“Hang on.We can’t risk discovery by pleasuring me in any way.We all know how unrestrained I am.”She cast a significant look toward his groin, where his cock was tenting his white linen sleeping shirt.“You, on the other hand, are in complete control of yourself.”
His voice was tight.“That might be overstating things.But I can be quiet,” he added eagerly.
She stepped between his legs, then reached down, gently stroking him through the linen of his shirt.“You’d like me to take care of this for you.Wouldn’t you?”
His breathing had gone ragged.“Yes.”
She gave him a final, long stroke that earned her a gasp, then released his length.She reached for the hem of his shirt, noting how he immediately lifted his hips to help her.
Once she had him naked before her, she ran her hands across the broad planes of his chest.He made a low, thrumming sound of pleasure.“Nathaniel!”she admonished in a whisper.“You have to be quiet.Remember?”
“Right,” he panted.“Sorry… Mmm.”
