Katie was a bundle of nerves by the time she returned to her room.  Leaning against the door she pressed her hand to her breast, willing her heart to slow before it flutter out of her chest.  How could she have allowed herself to get so caught up in him?  She barely remembered dinner or the conversations.  Just the way he smiled and the way it felt to have his hand brush against hers.  If only Lucy were here!  She had to tell someone!<br/><br/>Needing something, anything to keep her mind from straying, she decided to undress.  Removing the turban on her own was quite the chore, that Lucy managed to not only wrap it but unwrap it with ease made Katie rather jealous of her dear friend.  Katie managed to finally slip free of the lovely blue fabric, leaving it piled on the floor for a moment as she reveled in the feeling of lightheadedness.  She'd not noticed the weight of the piece until it was gone.<br/><br/>Gathering up the material she placed it upon the bed, later once Lucy returned they'd fold it properly to put it away.  The gloves came off, Katie admiring herself in the mirror.  Wondering why she couldn't keep the smile from her lips and the blush from her cheeks.  He was simply a man.  Not the most clever of ones she'd ever spoken with.  And yet she thoroughly enjoyed his company.  Far more than she ever thought possible.  Perhaps he was merely putting on a good show before the marriage, though she hoped not.  After seeing the way her parents behaved, she found the idea of being married to someone she could barely tolerate to be rather distressing.<br/><br/>Her mother's shrill voice cut through the evening, the open windows allowing the sound to carry.  Katie truly pitied her mother's maid, how the much harried woman managed all these years was a great mystery.  Lucy's suggestion that there was quite a bit of drink involved was rather scandalous but entirely possible.  It seemed as though hours had passed yet she new they hadn't, she was simply being foolish.<br/><br/>Turning away from the mirror she focused on completing the ritual of undressing.  Though it was more difficult without her trusted companion to aid her.  A linen dressing gown replaced the heavier evening dress.  The warm night called for as few articles of clothing as modesty would allow.  Taking up a book she settled by the window, the dancing light of the oil lamp making the words shift.  Though it mattered little as her mind continued to wander.<br/><br/>When Lucy did not return within an hour of Katie returning to the room, she began to worry.  What if Lucy had been caught?  Would the servants call for the law?  Or was it true that the law in these country estates was entirely different?  Meaning her dear, sweet Lucy would be tossed out alone and penniless.  Or worse?  Unable to sit still any longer she began to pace the room.  Her imagination drawing scenarios more and more terrifying for her Lucy.  Though nothing even remotely close to the truth.  She was in the process of donning her dressing robe when the door opened, Katie rushing to it in the hope of seeing her near sister.<br/>