An Englishman's property inheritance in Midwest America leads to romance between a womanizing son of a recently deceased Duke and a beautiful but feisty attorney. Both harbor an unfulfilled desire to find a mate who exceeded their expectations. In this chapter a misunderstanding about unachieved sexual connection between Hayden Carrington and Kitty is resolved.
Chapter 3
Kitty flopped on her bed, kicked off her shoes and swore in frustration.
Angry at Hayden's odd behavior and feeling dumped, Kitty wondered what she'd done wrong. After four or was it five double vodkas on ice she was virtually there for the plucking. Then the oaf yawned and said he was ready for bed.
At that Kitty was on her feet in a flash wondering whether it would be her place or his. The oaf drove her to her apartment doors, kissed her deliciously, pinched her ass and said he'd have her called. He then drove off with a couple of horn bleeps, leaving her waving in bewilderment.
"Ha, I'm too old for him," she hic-cupped. He's hooked into eighteen to twenty-year-olds."
Kitty patted kitty and said, "Sorry darling, some other time. I must have overwhelmed him." She couldn't think what else it could be. "Oh yes," she snarled. "He's an asshole Carrington and no way will he stuff his thingy into a Carlisle-Bowden. She sniffed and began to weep in frustration, not believing what she'd just said. The only asshole was on her bed. Thinking about what on earth he'd meant when he'd said he'd have her called she fell asleep.
Next morning Kitty was about to leave for social tennis with three girlfriends and then go on to lunch with then when her phone went.
"It's Mrs Wilson of Carrington Mansion calling Miss Carlisle."
Kitty wondered sourly in proper etiquette usage should not that have been expressed, 'Miss Carlisle, it's Mrs Wilson of Carrington Mansion calling'. "Good morning Mrs Wilson. I can see the flag is up and guess that means a Carrington of significance is in residence."
"You are quite correct. Lord Hayden Carrington asks would you kindly join him for buffet lunch at 1:00 tomorrow at the summer house overlooking the lake."
Kitty fought against being rebellious and saying she had a more pressing engagement. "Yes, I will be there thank you."
"Miss Carlisle. On such occasions it is customary..."
"It is customary that I choose what I wear Mrs Wilson."
"As you wish Miss Carlisle. The weather forecast remains very favorable. Goodbye."
What a cold and mechanical woman, stuffy to the core. Thank God the British were unable to hold on to America, Kitty thought and then wondered why she was being so bitchy. Oh yes, her dismay at not receiving a treat last night from his lordship. She urged, discipline, discipline Kitty. Let it go; it's not that important. Kitty wondered if Hayden was entitled to the courtesy title of lord now that his father had passed away and the older son who had two sons had inherited the dukedom. That would make Hayden removed further from the ultimate title.
Kitty walked across to the mansion at 1:15 dressed in a trendy pink open lace top with matching bra and a matching pink linen pleated skirt mid-thigh in length. She wore white sandals and a floppy white hat. A guy dressed in all white including a bow tie came forward to the side gate in the security fence to let her in. Confirming she was Miss Carlisle the employee led her towards the open-sided summerhouse where a number of people were socializing. Kitty had not been aware other people had been invited so began thinking tentatively perhaps she ought to have listened to decorum-driven Mrs Wilson. Button up girl, don't be subordinate.
Then Kitty saw the tennis racquets and realized it was a tennis party -- they were all 30-somethings and everyone but her was dressed in white.
Kitty turned to her escort and asked him his name.
Pointing to her apartment block Kitty said, "Giles, here's twenty bucks. Kindly take this card and these keys. The card gets you into the basement car lot and these keys unlock the trunk of a blue Chrysler Crossfire Coupe where you'll retrieve my tennis racquet and tennis shoes. Please bring them to me and leave the sweaty panties, bra, shorts and top in the heap untouched. Okay?"
"Understood Miss Carlisle."
"Brilliant Giles and thank you."
A thin-lipped woman directing kitchen staff saw her and approached. Kitty braced for a I-told-you-so but the woman said with a smile, "Welcome Miss Carlisle. I'm Mrs Wilson. We have access to several sizes of women's tennis shoes including mine and you may use my racquet."
"Giles is galloping over to retrieve mine Mrs Wilson. It's so lovely to meet you. Please call me Kitty if you consider that appropriate."
"Thank you Kitty. Most of these folk are regulars. I'll commence introductions."
But there was no need. Hayden yelled "Kitty!" He vaulted the summerhouse railing and bounded over. The chatter behind him lowered and as he swept Kitty into his arms and kissed her rather passionately the chatter died completely.
Catching her breath Kitty noticed Mrs Wilson's face was a picture of neutrality and then she almost had her arm pulled off as Hayden yanked her along calling out, "Everyone this is my dear friend Kitty Carlisle. Please begin lunch except for Carla and Ben who'll start the tournament playing Kitty and me.
Kitty heard a light cough behind her. She turned and Giles handed across her shoes and racquet.
"Ah, look at the stringing on this racquet guys," Hayden yelled, looking at Kitty's racquet. A pro-woman's set-up."
That piece of bullshit seemed to unnerve the other women and they and several of the guys double-faulted whenever facing Kitty. Hayden and Kitty made the final but then lost to a club pro playing with his protΓ©gΓ© who obviously as the day continued was the coach's romantic protΓ©gΓ© as well.
After tennis with champagne flowing, the group divided into pairs to race in the kayaks. Hayden won the men's division and Kitty won the women's division without really trying. Then some clown yelled that Hayden and Kitty should have a race-off to find the supreme champion. Hayden recklessly offered to give Kitty a 10-yard start over the 100-yard course. Some of the women yelled acceptance on Kitty's behalf. She won by eight yards.
"Fuck me," yelled the red-faced host as he stepped on to the bank, amazed that he'd been zapped. Four half-drunk women rushed forward and pushed him into the lake. "Gentlemen don't used that word in front of ladies," censured one of those women and began laughing her head off and screaming in delight allowed the dripping Hayden to seize her and toss her in.
After dinner when the last of the inebriated guests departed in cabs provided both ways as part of their generous host's invitation, Hayden cupped Kitty's left breast said he'd walk her home.
"I'd invite you to stay the night but...but..." he faltered.
"Oh come on Hayden. You're not afraid of Mrs Wilson are you?"
Hayden shook his head and squared his shoulders. "Kitty, the truth is when I've had quite a lot to drink I become a d-disappointment to women."
Kitty laughed and told Hayden that wasn't unique to him. "I personally know of several guys whose arousal is curbed by excessive consumption of alcohol, some of whom displayed huge embarrassment at being unable to get it up. "The answer is if you want to perform for a a consenting lady you must balance your liquor intake accordingly."
"You mean you're not upset?"
"No, of course not Hayden. However I must admit that I've rather over-imbibed myself. I think it best if I say goodnight now."
Hayden said he'd escort her home but Kitty declined the offer and asked what he had planned for next day.
"What day will that be?"
"Sunday. God Hayden you ought to drink less."
He said he had nothing planned and accepted Kitty's offer to be taken somewhere and to bring jeans and a jacket, sunhat and strong walking shoes.