Chapter Text
There is a faint light coming from the balcony. Gerald knows he should not be leading Katarina down this particular path, unless he wishes to set tongues wagging. It is an isolated, surrounded by hedges and quite out of sight strip of cobbled pathway most amenable to a rendezvous. The half-hoped for realisation does not dawn on Katarina, but that Gerald has long since suspected, even before he set his plan in motion.
Lambent eyes stare up into his face, a world of trust nestled in her gaze. This is either the greatest mistake he will ever make or his most notable success in the realm that is courting his fiancée. Surely, even she cannot fail to grasp the meaning of his gesture, he tells himself as he directs her attention to one of the flowering trees, its bough weighed down by great clusters of blooms. Katarina gasps, hands coming together in a silent clap. “I could plant one of those. Hardly practical,” she says, turning to look at him with a delighted expression, “but I can make room.”
“When the flowers have fallen there will be fruits,” he points out, aware that she holds his gaze as though in a trance. It takes quite a bit not to smile; she startles easily. They are close now; close enough that the sweet soft undertones of her perfume advance teasingly upon his senses. Close enough that the air between them sizzles with as of yet unacknowledged awareness. Close enough that he can almost taste the sugary richness of the toffee she ate but a short while ago. So close that it will be as nothing to reach for her.
He is as startled as her by the time his hand settles on her shoulder. But she is leaning into him. Thus he reciprocates. A warm puff of air plays against his lips and his other hand cradles her cheek.
“Katarina, there you are!”
They jump apart at the shriek. Gerald turns a fierce glare upon a red-faced Mary Hunt. What he wouldn’t give to have her sent far, far, very far away. Perhaps with the diplomatic corps. Indefinitely.
Katarina, bless her heart, remains clueless. “Goodness, Mary; you’re all flustered. Were you looking for me?”