Peter loved Kate with all his being, but that didn't mean he'd tolerate an ultimatum from her.
Welcome to another offering for Frisky Friday, where we hope you're getting as excited about the weekend as we are.My submission for this week is from my 5th book, and newest release, Acting Lessons.
He was a strict and demanding college professor turned professional director who excelled at giving acting lessons. She was his shy and uncertain former student who became a professional actress under his tutelage. They fell in love, married, and won two Tony Awards before tragedy struck and a simple kiss ripped them apart.
After a six month separation, Peter Thorton decides to take matters into his own hands by making his famous wife, Kate, an offer she wouldn't refuse. Plainly put, he wants her back and he intends to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goal, even if it means giving his stubborn, willful leading lady a daily reminder over his knee that she promised to obey him.
In this scene, which occurs at the beginning of Chapter Four, Peter Thorton is attempting to get his wife ready for a trip to a college camp ground in upper New York, where they will appear together in a summer stock production of "Kiss Me Kate." Kate has agreed to help Peter teach the drama students who have auditioned and been selected personally by him for the course he is teaching. Kate isn't sure she can trust Peter with her heart again, since she believes he's been unfaithful to her, but she's never stopped loving him. And though Domestic Discipline originally played a part in their marriage, their last two years together had them living like polite strangers sharing the same house. Though things are far from perfect between them now, they are temporarily reconciled with one small problem. After suffering two miscarriages, Kate is afraid to try again. Afraid she'll fail. Peter understands, but because they both want children, he doesn't want her using birth control, either. Unfortunately, Kate doesn't agree. However, hiding contraceptive sponges in her luggage isn't going to be as easy as she thought, especially when their motherly housekeeper Consuelo enters the room to check on her.
"I
thought we got everything packed yesterday, chica. What did we forget?"
"Nothing. I decided I should spread my belongings out a
bit more, in case I decide to bring something back with me."
Consuelo
frowned. "All right. You tell me where you want things, and I'll
move them for you."
"No,"
Kate blurted, wishing she had bitten her tongue.
Consuelo
put her hands on her hips. "What
are you trying to hide, chica?"
Kate
sat on the bed. "I can't tell
you."
"Why
not?"
"Because
if Peter ever found out, he might get angry enough to fire you."
"If
you are keeping something that serious from your husband, we need to
talk."
Kate
groaned. "Consuelo, I realize you
only want to help, but--"
"No. You listen to me this time. William has a list of things he needs to go
through with Mr. Peter, so I don't expect him up here for another hour, and you
need to hear what I've got to say before you spend five to six weeks alone with
the man you married."
Giving
a nod, Kate suggested they sit at the table to talk. Anxious about getting her boxes hidden, she
didn't want to waste time chatting, but she refused to make the same mistake
with Consuelo that she made with William.
Though Kate harbors some guilt about using a contraceptive against Peter's wishes, especially one that he could possibly ingest, she feels he has no right to dictate whether or not she can prevent pregnancyl. However, attempting to keep a secret like that, from a husband who's determined to ensure you take good care of yourself, carries its own risks. And risks incur casualties.
If you're 18 or older, you can read the first three chapters at Acting Lessons
Buy the book directly from Blushing Books
Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and wish you and yours a very Frisky Friday.
Great scene Kathryn. Poor Kate, such a dilemma. She really needs to share her fears with Peter.
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Roz