Katherine was known for her beauty and charm, but her mind and heart intrigued you far more. She was a sweet girl, barely a woman and it hurt you to see how men and even other women treated her, as nothing more than a pretty face and someone who could offer company for a night. You had met her a couple of times at parties, but this was the first time that you had caught her eye across the room, and she wasn't clung to someone's arm.

She offered you a welcome smile and gestured for you to follow her from the busy room where she hastily led you to chambers that you could only assume were her own.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance again Lady Katherine," you smiled taking her hand as you curtseyed.

"I wouldn't say we are fully acquainted now, are we?" She said with a coy smile, leading you back towards the large bed.

"I do not understand."

You were rather confused as she pushed her cloak from her shoulders, revealing her bare arms.

"Would you mind assisting me with my skirts? They aren't the easiest thing to remove alone," she asked.

"Pardon?"

She cocked an eyebrow at you. "Oh... I can just remove my stockings if you'd rather something a little quicker."

You paused for a moment before it clicked. It broke your heart that she had been made to believe that any kindness towards her was only to get between her legs. You would have considered yourself honoured to lie with a woman like herself, but your intentions were nothing but pure.

"My lady," you said apologetically. "I believe we aren't thinking the same. I do not wish to lie with you. I only followed you as I thought you knew of a place we could actually talk. You are gorgeous and do not get my wrong by this, but I only wish to talk."

Her expression fell for a second before a relief look washed over her as she fell to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Thank the Lord," she whispered.

"Are you okay?" You asked.

"I've never had someone just wish to talk with me without an ulterior motive, it is a relief, truly," she smiled softly.

It was a shame that the world had used her for her appearance and that she hadn't had the opportunity to be a girl growing and now break into womanhood, rather have been forced into a world she wasn't built for.

"I would be honoured to by your friend Lady Katherine. I do not want anything from you that you are not willing to give. And I think you could certainly use a friend," you offered.

"That sounds marvellous," she said warmly. "I would be beyond glad to have a friend."

"Then you have found one."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.

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