6

When she woke up the next morning, Kate had come to a decision. She wasn't ready. She had her work, she had her life... He couldn't be part of it, or even know about it. And she could never start something with him while she was lying to him. So she would be his friend, and that would be all. It would be enough. There was no other option. It had to be enough, because there was no possibility of anything more.

She chose a dress to wear which reflected her decision; though fashion demanded it be close fitting, she selected a plain grey dress with no embellishments, that covered everything but a tiny v of her neck, and had a plain white collar. She chose a hat to match it and made sure she was ready in time to walk. The fresh air would do her good. Though walking in London was not recommended for young ladies, especially alone, she did not feel even a little at risk.

She knew that his house would be impressive. She expected all the modern amenities – but it was still breathtaking. He owned practically the whole street; there was a high fence separating his 'palace' from the rest of the world, and inside the fence were gardens worthy of the countryside where he spent most of his time. The butler had seen her coming and walked out to open the large iron gates for her. She would have managed them easily by herself, but she had to keep up appearances. She followed the butler inside, where Richard and Alexis were waiting for her.

"It's lovely to see you again," Alexis said with a smile. Kate smiled.

"I'm very happy to be here – it's wonderful to see you too, Alexis.

"And not to see me?" Richard asked, pretending to be offended. Kate raised an eyebrow, knowing this might be classed as flirting but not being able to help herself.

"Though there are some merits in your appearance, Sir Richard, I have to tell you that your daughter is far more beautiful. I am sorry."

Richard chuckled. "Well, I will enjoy looking at you, anyway. Will you come through and sit in the parlor?"

Kate followed him into a stunning living room, filled with lavish furniture and expensive ornaments. There was also a grand piano. Richard saw Kate admiring it.

"Do you play?" he asked.

"When I have the chance. I used to, but I do not have a pianoforte now."

"You must come and play ours," Alexis insisted. Kate looked at Richard, who nodded enthusiastically.

"We would be honoured," he said with a smile.

"What about you?" Kate asked. "Do you play?"

Richard winked at Alexis. "Only when drunk. Alexis wants to learn, though."

"It is enjoyable. But I only learned because I had to. What skills have you been forced into, Alexis?"

Alexis grinned. "None. My father lets me learn what I like."

"Only because you're so sensible. She rides, draws, sews, and we fence."

"Fence? Now that is an interesting hobby. There are not many young ladies who can handle a sword," Kate commented.

"I love it. I've learned all kinds of things to do with fighting – I like archery, and I can shoot and throw daggers and-"

"Now, now, little boy," Richard said with a laugh. "I thought you were coming to London to be a lady."

The words could have been cruel, but the way he said them just made Alexis smile. She liked his teasing – as did Kate.

"I know of a lady who can fight," Alexis said with a glint in her blue eyes.

"Oh yes?" Kate asked curiously.

Richard grinned. "I know of her too. Barely a minute goes by these days when I'm not hearing stories about her!"

Alexis laughed. "It's not my fault. She's fascinating. More than anything I want to meet her. There are all these stories. Sara, you've probably heard all about them since you live in the city all the time. I just heard of her recently from my friend – Lady Katherine Beckett."

Kate managed not to gasp, keeping her expression calm as she listened to the rumours about herself.

"She's the most skilled fighter there ever was. She catches murderers every night, fighting them with her sword but never killing them, just finding them and taking them to the gaol. And she watches the streets, keeping people safe. She's saved countless lives. And people say she is at court so now we're here the most wonderful thing in the world would be to meet her! She's so impressive, she's overcome so much to do something so good. Do you think there might be a chance of me meeting her?"

Kate took a deep breath. "I don't know. I've heard of her, but she seems to stay very well hidden. However, I think you can still... learn from her, even if you don't meet. You say you are impressed by the good she does, the lives she saves – you can do good too. And while I wouldn't recommend her way of helping people, I'm sure you could find a different way, if that was what you wanted. And although it might not seem like much, I'm sure, if she is at court, and she learns about you, she would be both proud and pleased to see that she was having this sort of influence on someone."

Alexis smiled. "You say things so well, Sara. Now I feel so childish just wanting to meet her – but I'm sure I could do some good."

"You are already a charming young lady, Alexis. I don't think you need much guidance to be far more impressive than this Lady Beckett. There is something... strange about keeping oneself so secret, I think. Almost dishonest."

"I don't know," Richard commented. "I've always liked a mysterious woman. But you're right about Alexis – you will do great things, my dear, even if you don't meet her."

Alexis nodded. "I hope that I can. Dad, is it really so unusual for ladies to fight?"

"I'm not so up to date with behaviour in London-" he began, but Sara interrupted.

"I know at least one other lady who fences."

Richard stared at her.

"You?"

She laughed. "Is that really so surprising? Your daughter does. Why shouldn't I?"

Richard shook his head. "No reason. Well then, Alexis. It appears we have another challenger!"

Alexis grinned. "Maybe it doesn't matter if I don't meet Lady Beckett. At least I'll have met you."

Kate didn't really see the funny side. She just felt guilty about hiding her true identity – and even more guilty that this lovely girl idolised her when she was so fake. She lived a life of secrets and shadows and lies, yet teenagers were impressed by it? She had to push these thoughts out of her mind to continue the conversation, which moved on to literature, then music, then theatre, then riding, then back to fencing and historically important duels.

Alexis had to leave to go up and talk to Martha; Martha wanted her opinion on some new dresses she was ordering, and for some reason the order had to be made before dinner.

"Thank you so much for coming and being so nice to Alexis," Richard said to Kate once they were left alone.

"It's my pleasure," Kate replied. "Really, she's a wonderful young woman and excellent company."

"You're very kind. I worry that she doesn't meet enough people. I'm not a very good role model."

"From what I've seen and heard, you're a great father. Don't worry about it. She seems to be an educated, intelligent, sensible, and very sweet girl."

Richard laughed. "I don't know where she got the sensible from!"

Kate had to laugh as well. "No... It is a little odd."

"I hope I don't lose her to a man too quickly."

"I don't think you'll ever lose her – she loves you too much, she will always be close to you. I think you should worry more about the fact that girls who adore their fathers usually end up marrying men just like them."

Richard made a face at her. "You like me really."

"No comment."

"You came to dinner."

"I came to see Alexis."

"And not even a little to see me?"

Kate frowned in mock-thought. "No. Not even a little."

"You're too cruel, Sara. Will you really fence with us?"

"I can hardly refuse. I'm interested to see how good you are."

"You know, you could refuse if you wanted. We wouldn't be offended... but we are rather good."

Kate smiled. "I'm sure I'll cope. And I'll go easy on you the first few times, so I don't embarrass you in front of your daughter."

"You are confident. Who taught you?"

"My mother," Kate said. It was true, to an extent. In fact she had had several teachers since her mother's death, especially while in India, but her mother had taught her the basics, more for amusement than anything else. "Who taught you?"

Richard winked. "I couldn't say. I learned while researching for a book – I'll leave it at that."

Kate knew the book he meant, but didn't name it. She didn't want him to know how much of a fan she really was.

"I have a new book that will be available soon," he continued. "Storm Fall. The last of the Derrick Storm books."

"The last? Now that does sound ominous."

"Will you read it?"

"I'm sure it will appear in Montgomery's," she said evasively.

"I can tell by the look in your eyes that you will!" he said, but he wasn't completely certain.

"Then you have your answer," she said, the corner of her mouth twitching in a smile. Alexis reappeared.

"She's chosen the turquoise, and she'll be down for dinner momentarily," she announced. "Sorry, am I interrupting?" she asked, as the room stayed strangely silent.

"No," Kate said.

"Yes," Richard said at the same time. Kate laughed.

"No, you're not. Your father was just telling me about his new book."

"Oh, yes, Storm Fall. It's good, you should read it."

"Maybe I will. In the end. Are you planning to write something else?"

Richard made a face. "I'm supposed to be. But aside from the magazine story, which no, Alexis, you are still not old enough to read, I haven't had any really inspiring ideas for a next book."

Kate was just about to say she hoped he thought of something when Martha strode into the room. They all stood up and Richard made a quick introduction.

"Mother, this is Lady Sara Katayev. She met Alexis in Montgomery's. Sara, this is my mother, Lady Martha Castle. Formerly Martha Rodgers, if you're interested."

Martha smiled. "I doubt that she is. It's lovely to meet you my dear – I've already heard all about you from Alexis."

Both Kate and Alexis blushed at this. "It's lovely to meet you too," Kate said.

"I hope Richard hasn't been boring you too much, talking about books the way he does."

"No, not at all."

"Sara's going to fence with us," Alexis said happily.

"Ooh, now this should be exciting. Are you good, my dear?"

"I... I believe I can hold my ground."

"Spoken with the air of someone trying very hard to be modest while secretly quite sure she will win. I hope you do, darling. Richard needs some healthy competition. He's too good for his own good, if you see what I mean."

Kate smiled. "I'll do my best." She liked Martha already – and as with every new friend she made, she felt the bitter taste in her mouth as she told yet more lies to people she wanted to care about.

"Dinner is served, Sir," a maid said from the doorway.

"Oh, that reminds me," Kate said. "I wanted to ask, Richard, aren't you a Lord? So shouldn't you be Lord, rather than Sir?"

Richard grinned. "Yes. And I should be. But I prefer Sir, because it is earned. I was born a Lord, I did nothing for the title. I earned my knighthood."

Kate laughed. "Well, Sir Richard, I think that's very sweet. Although, not only knights are called Sir, and not all knights earn their knighthoods. Are you not friends with the king?"

"I was knighted for contributions to literature, thank you. But if you like, you may call me Lord Castle, Lady Katayev."

Kate laughed more. "Very well. I believe you deserved it."

"I appreciate that. And if you don't like Sir or Lord, you can call me Rick."

"What about Castle?"

"Now that would be very military-like. It would be almost as though you were giving me orders."

"Then she should definitely call you Castle," Alexis said, walking past them to go to the dining room.

"Well then, Castle," Kate said with a grin. "It looks as though the decision has been made."

"Sara, I believe it has."

He offered her his arm and she took it, letting him walk her to the dining room. She felt a lot more comfortable than she had done this morning. Though they had an undeniable connection, it was nothing she couldn't handle. And although she disliked lying, she would not be getting any more involved. They would just be friends, and she could deal with that.


A/N: You would have had this hours ago except the uni internet decided to have a little hiatus of its own! Thank you so much for reading and please review, your reviews mean so much to me. Keep reading (everything), love you! x