Chapter forty-six: December, will be magic again

Kate groaned and spit into the sink one last time. She checked her makeup, thankfully, nothing was too damaged and she hadn't applied her lipstick yet. After dabbing her face with a cloth, she rinsed her mouth and added her favorite shade of red lipstick, making sure to emphasize the little dip that Thomas loved.

As the final preparations got underway, everyone, including him had jumped in to help before running upstairs to get dressed. The house looked spectacular and it was certain to get quite a mention in the society pages. Checking her reflection in the mirror one last time, Kate reached for her arm length, lacy white gloves and pulled them on. Satisfied with her appearance, she leaves the room. Her heart pounds in her chest

She inhaled as she stands at the top of the stairs; her simple white velvet dress shimmered under the chandelier. She spotted Thomas, talking to the guests right away. She inhaled and just looked at his head, silently asking him to look towards her. As if feeling her eyes on him, Thomas's gaze went upwards and he froze in place as he watched her descend the stairs. She smiled at him, holding his gaze as he approached her.

He stood at the foot of the stairs, his blue eyes betraying his affection for her as he holds out his hand. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." she took his offered hand, pausing to straighten his tie. "You look very handsome."

He chuckles and reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. "I got you something." He hands it to her and she hesitates. "I know, you don't wear much jewelry, but, I thought you'd like this."

She smiles as she opens the box, but her mouth drops open in shock. She gasps in amazement at the white opal pendant on a delicate silver chain. "Oh my gosh." She stares at him in amazement. "I-I wasn't expecting…this is exquisite." She removes it from the box. "Help me put it on?"

"Of course. Turn around." Kate brushes her hair out of the way, as he places the necklace around her throat. "You left your hair down."

"Yes." He places his hand on her neck, causing her to turn towards him. "You see, my husband thinks I look very comely with my hair down like this."

"Well, he's got good taste."

He leans forward to kiss her, but she places a hand on his chest. "Thomas, not in public."

"Have to Kate." She frowns as he brings his hand to reveal he has a branch of mistletoe in his hands. "It's tradition."

"Ah," she murmurs as he leans forward to claim his kiss. "fair point."

With that, his lips covered hers and her face heated with desire. There were a few catcalls as she surrendered to Thomas. She moved her hands up to his neck as he kissed her deeply. She held on tightly to his shoulders as he broke the kiss and held her gaze. However, she couldn't hold it for long, the stare was so intense. She pulled away from him, tugging at the cabin as her heart pounded in her throat.

She turned and her eyes fell on Noni, who was wearing a vibrant, turquoise silk dress. "Noni!" she hurried to hug her. "You look lovely."

"And you look like a schoolgirl who's been kissed for the first time." Noni teased her.

"Shh, Noni, please!"

"Not that I blame you." Noni glances towards Arthur and smiles. "These Shelby men… they're just something else."

Kate nods as she glances at Thomas. "I know what you mean."

"You always preferred the poetic types. Now me." she lets out a quiet growl. "I tell you, I've never had a man match me perfectly in bed before." Kate's mouth drops open in shock. "I am perfectly serious, that Arthur Shelby is all man. So aggressive."

"Noni-

"What's yours like?" Kate turns and walks away. "Let me guess, he's one of those who cries while making love to you." Kate stops in her step and turns to Noni. "Nope, not that kind. Don't tell me he's a biter."

"Noni," she hisses. "please, stop it."

Noni blinks and stares at her. "No. no way, Arthur said you two weren't sleeping together. I thought he was kidding me!"

Kate exhales. "Thomas and I aren't sex fiends, unlike you and Arthur apparently."

"I need a whiskey." Noni heads towards the bar. "But mark my words; once that man decides to put his hands on you, he is not going to let you out of that bed."

Kate was tempted to go after her, but another conversation about sex wasn't going to help her focus on her guests. Tonight was a very important night. Kate mingled with the members of parliament that Thomas had invited and she flattered them, hanging onto their every word even though, she couldn't care less what they were saying.

Dinner was a festive affair and there weren't any mishaps during the meal. Against tradition, Kate had seated herself at Thomas's right hand for the meal. They kept things light between them as society demanded, but every time they looked at each other, the tension between them caused the temperature in the room to skyrocket.

After dinner, Kate escorted everyone into the ballroom, which had been closed off for a while. Now, the room shown with a splendor that could have rivaled Buckingham palace. As she watched the couples dancing together, Kate realized someone was missing.

Her husband.

A quick glance around showed Noni was looking for Arthur causing her to smile. They were probably conducting business in the library. She exhaled and walked quietly along the hall towards the library. The clink of whiskey glasses confirm that Thomas and Arthur are in the library.

"So, Michael tells me you and Noni had an interesting night last night." Thomas states. "Sounds like you're ready to let Linda go."

"Gave her the papers. But you know her," Arthur states. "her religion won't allow it."

"Noni know about that?"

"She knows, but, she doesn't care. Wants me anyway." Arthur exhales. "Fascinating woman."

"Seems nice."

"She's different. Claims she doesn't care for gentlemen." Thomas chuckles as Arthur laughs. "And she don't like it gentle either. She likes whiskey and she doesn't like for me control myself as I had to with Linda. She says…just smooth off the rough edges a bit."

Thomas nods. "I know what you mean."

"So, you and Kate?" Arthur asks. "Please tell me that tonight you're going to put her out of her misery and take her to bed."

Kate covers her mouth in embracement. She held her breath, waiting to see what Thomas said. He was silent for a long time before responding. "As a matter of fact…Kate and I did have an intimate interaction this morning."

"God. Finally. The tension between you two is putting the whole family on edge" Arthur snorted. "So, how was she?"

She inhaled as Thomas spoke; knowing he'd had many women before her. "She was good, could bury myself in her for hours." unable to stop herself, she blushed in pleasure. "But…it was probably a mistake. She doesn't want to talk about it." she shook her head. That wasn't what she intended. "Seems like every time we get closer together in our relationship, she falls back."

"I saw the way she looked at you. She loves you."

"No, she doesn't."

"I heard her say she loved you a dozen times. She declared it at thanksgiving to you, in front of the whole family. Maybe the problem isn't with her, it's you. Do you love her?" Arthur demanded. "You didn't say that you did at thanksgiving."

She knocked on the door. She didn't want to hear what he said. If he didn't, it would crush her. If he didn't love her, she'd rather he just use her while being surrounded in ignorance. However, she knew he had feelings for her and they were strong. Thomas just wasn't the sort of man to declare his feelings for a person.

"Come in." Thomas said his voice still and calm again. She opened the door and stepped in; she noted a reaction on his face, as if he were scared that she heard what he said.

"Gentlemen," she smiled her expression slightly wobbly. "Noni and I are missing our dancing partners."

"Apologies Kate." Thomas put out his cigarette and stood up. "Children in bed?"

Kate nods. "Yes. They could barely make it through dinner. Jodie put them to bed."

"Just a minute Kate," she pauses, her head rising in her chest. "ask Polly and Noni to come here. I've got a present for you."

Kate blinks. "But Thomas," she touched her necklace. "this was gorgeous. It must have cost you-

"Kate." He gripped her shoulders. "That was your birthday present. Your Christmas present, well, that's another matter. Go get them ready. You're going to love this."

Angel029: Well, both their presents shall be revealed in the next chapter.