Elijah froze when he saw Katherine in the dining room. He could tell by her expression that she was upset. She thought that something was going on between him and Lady Elizabeth. That's the only thing it could be.

Elijah took a step toward her and she took off in the other direction. If he ran after her, it could draw attention. But then again, they only had a short time together before Christmas Day. If his plan didn't work out, this was all they had. He refused to accept that she would hide out in her chambers. She belonged in his bed, snuggled beside him.

He quickly started walking in the direction of the maid's chambers. Deciding to take a shortcut, he went down the main hallway, hoping to cut her off.

He stopped when he got to the staircase. He leaned back against the far was as he heard her footsteps. When she got closer he reached his arm out, catching her and pulling her against him.

She gasped in surprise and tried to catch her breath.

"Let me go, Elijah."

Her voice told him just how hurt she way. "Kitten, listen to me and listen good. There is nothing going on with Lady Elizabeth. She-"

"Elijah?" His mother called.

Elijah met Katherine's gaze and stroked her cheek. Trying to not be overheard, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Please, Kitten, trust me. Meet me tonight in my chambers. I will explain everything to you."

"Elijah!" His mother called again.

Elijah pulled back from Katherine and traced her bottom lip with his thump. "I love you," he said before he came out of hiding.

"There you are," The Duchess said with a frown. "What were you doing?"

"Sorry, mother. I didn't hear you."

She walked over to him, clearly suspicious by his actions. "What were you doing, Elijah?"

"Nothing, I just thought I...saw something." Nice work, Elijah.

She raised an eyebrow at him. She knew he was lying. This is going to be an issue later when she brought it up to him again.

"Let's go, Elijah. Dinner is about to start."

Elijah glanced back to where Katherine had been standing before he followed his mother.

He just prayed she would trust him and come to his quarters tonight.

"I want to thank you all for a lovely evening and a wonderful dinner," Lady Elizabeth stated as she rose from her chair. "I've had a trying day and would like to get some rest."

William usually hated coming to these dinners. He never liked the fancy formalities. Perhaps if the dinners had been more like tonight, he would have felt differently. Lady Elizabeth sat across from him and has been sending him lustful glances the entire evening. The longing looks and sultry smiles were going to drive him mad.

After Lady Elizabeth provided her thanks to the rest of the dinner party, he stood when she approached him. She held her hand out to him and he took it instantly. As he kissed the top of her hand, he found the piece of paper she had hidden.

"Goodnight, William," she said with a smile.

"Goodnight, Lady Elizabeth."

After she was out of sight, he opened the note.

Meet me at the stables.

William bit back his smile as he read the note multiple times. His hands were shaking as he slipped the note in his pocket and walked over to Elijah.

"Are you okay, Elijah? You've been acting weird through dinner."

Elijah ran his hand over his face. "I hurt her, William. She's upset with me."

He knew why Elijah didn't saw her name. There were ears everywhere. "Did you apologize?"

"I tried but my mother almost caught us. I asked her, well begged really, for her to come to me tonight. I need to explain some things to her." Elijah let out a deep breath. "How fare you and your lady?"

William cleared his throat. "I'm not sure actually. I think I may be in over my head."

Elijah laughed at that before he started towards his chambers. "You and me both, brother."

William watched Elijah leave and put his hand in his pocket, feeling the note there. Against his better judgement, he started to the stables.

Katherine continued pacing back and forth inside Elijah's quarters. She still wasn't sure if she made the right choice by coming. She was hurt and angry with him. But, when he risked exposure to beg her to come to him tonight, she couldn't say no. She didn't feel like she could ever say no to him.

"You came."

She turned when she heard Elijah's voice. "Yes."

He walked towards her. "I wasn't sure if you would."

She broke eye contact with him and walked towards his desk. "You said you were going to explain things."

"William is in love with Lady Elizabeth," he said instantly.

Katherine felt her eyes go wide as her mouth dropped open. "William? And...Lady Elizabeth?"

"Yes. When he was pretending to be me, they made a connection." Elijah smiled before he added, "If I'm not mistaken, he is meeting her somewhere in secret right now."

Katherine didn't know what to think. This was all getting out of control. Elijah was in love with her and William was in love with Lady Elizabeth.

"Does she know about us?" Katherine asked.

"Yes. I told her we are in love. We made an agreement that we will try to help each other if excuses are needed to see the ones we love. That's why you saw what you saw. I was telling her thank you."

Katherine met his stare and tried to think of something to say. Anything. But she couldn't.

Elijah walked towards her, stopping when he got in front of her. He reached out and cupped the side of her face. "I love only you, Katherine. I want no one else." He looked away before taking a deep breath. "If it was possible, if there was nothing standing in our way, would you marry me?"

Katherine gasped at his question. She never even thought about marriage since it didn't seem within reach. But, if it were possible...

"Yes, I would." Without a doubt.

He closed his eyes when he heard her answer. Was he worried she would say no?

"I will try everything I can to make that happen. There's something else. If it doesn't work, if we can't wed..."

"Yes?" She asked, her anxiety starting to rise.

"Would you...runaway with me?"

"I'm happy you came," Lady Elizabeth said when William walked into the stables. She had been petting her horse, Myst, while she was waiting.

William gave her an amused snort as he approached her. "As if I could deny you anything."

She blushed as he stopped in front of her. She noticed when his eyes dropped to her lips and her pulse quickened. This is why she wanted him here. "William, please kiss me."

William's lips were on hers in an instant. He kissed her with a passion that rivaled her own. He clutched her body to his as he laid them down in the soft hay.

She pulled her mouth away to whisper, "My coat. Open it."

William knew his gaze turned hungry as he did as she asked. He unbuttoned her coat to reveal her nearly transparent shift. He cursed under his breath as he ran his hand over his mouth. He could see her supple breasts and her hard nipples clearly.

"I take it you like what you see?" She asked in a teasing tone.

He gave her a devilish smile. "That's an understatement."

She took her bottom lip between her teeth. "That pleases me. You make me feel--"

He bent down to nuzzle her neck. "Feel what, my love?"

Her breathing grew labored and she clutched his head as he continued to kiss her neck. "I-- I can't say--"

He knew what she was talking about, and her shyness only made him want her more. "Let me see if I can guess it, then." He cupped her breast through her thin shift with his hand, flicking his finger over her nipple.

She gasped as her back arched. "William..."

"Is that the feeling?" He asked.

Unable to speak, she shook her head no.

"I see. How about this?" He reached down and slid his hand along her leg to her thigh. "Am I getting closer?"

"Yessss...." She moaned.

He held her stare as he slipped his hand between her legs and ran a finger along her entrance. Her eyes widened as she let out a gasp.

"Is this it?"

She nodded and he dropped his mouth to her ear to whisper, "So, you're feeling wet...for me."

"Oh, God." How could anything feel this good? She thought.

"Tell me what you want, Elizabeth."

"Keep touching me, William. Please."

He was more than happy to oblige. He slipped a finger in slowly and she moaned against his mouth. "William..."

He deepened the kiss as he started a rhythm she seemed to like. She clutched his shoulders as she got closer and closer to a release. When he closed his mouth over her nipple through her shift, he felt her climax. When her body settled, she looked up at him dreamily.

He smiled at her as he couldn't believe she just allowed him to touch her. To his surprise, she reached out and placed her hand against his hard length.

"Oh, Christ..."