Simon’s chest puffed out a bit. He thought he’d have to wait much longer before Cormac called himDa. “He’ll have a fight, son, but not a physical one. Arguments and fisticuffs will not solve this. As Mr. Kennedy said, you, your sister, and mother are English citizens.” Why that legality had never occurred to Simon before the lawyer mentioned it, he didn’t know. “We are merely going to my father’s main estate.” He stepped to the desk, took out two sheets of pressed paper, and a pen that he was surprised to find sharp. He wrote a letter to his sister and Titus telling them to keep Finella at their house, and informing them he would be there with the rest of his family later that evening. The second missive was to the representative of his shipping company, telling the man that Simon was sending several trunks down to wait for the ship to arrive. He sealed the notes, then tugged the bell-pull. The butler entered the room. “Have this taken to Lord Titus’s house in Charlotte Square. Tell the footman to wait for an answer. The other goes to Cavendish and Partners Shipping at the port.”
The butler bowed. “Yes, my lord.”
“And do not, under any circumstances, allow Lord Freskin past the front door.”
“With pleasure, my lord.” His butler bowed, and turned sharply on his heel.
Simon kissed Morna lightly on her lips. “How close are you to being packed?”
“I think it’s almost done.”
“Good. Except for what we will require for the next few days, we shall send everything to wait on the ship.”
She shivered in his arms. “Where are we going?”
“For the time being, to my sister’s. She and Titus will not allow your father past the front door. As soon as the ship arrives, we’ll sail to my father’s.”
Cormac’s face split into a wide grin. “I’ve never been on a ship.”
Simon hoped his son loved sailing as he never did, but no matter; going by water would stymie Lord Freskin.
“Cormac, go out, if you would, and find a hackney. Have it pull around to the mews.”
“Yes, Da.”
Simon kissed Morna again. “Please make sure your maid has packed overnight bags for you and the children, then meet me behind the house.”
She reached up and touched her lips to his. “I’ll be as fast as a rabbit.”
He hoped his ship arrived soon. If not, he’d have to arrange passage on another one. If Freskin knew what Simon and Morna were about, he didn’t put it past the old man to abduct Finella.
Later that evening, Kit joined Huntley against one wall of the open room that had been given over to dancing. He snagged a glass of wine from a footman. “Where’s Caro?”
His friend motioned with his head to a grouping of sofas and chairs where several ladies were involved in a comfortable coze. “I thought you’d be dancing.”
“I managed to avoid this set.” Kit blew out a breath. “I’m getting damned tired of being Mr. Perfect.”
“I commend you for keeping it up for this long.” The set ended. Huntley tossed off the rest of his drink and straightened. “I’m off to reclaim my wife.”
Kit glanced around. Mary’s partner was escorting her to Caro as Lady Theo was absent this evening. “I’ll come with you.”
“When are you going to ask her to marry you?”
“When I’m sure she’ll accept.” Kit didn’t know what he would do if she rejected him. What he did know was that he didn’t like the looks of Mary’s latest dance partner. “Who is the man she was dancing with?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps Lady Theo introduced them at one of the entertainments,” Huntley said as they maneuvered their way through the crowd. “Munro, I think.”
“I didn’t see you during the last set.” Mary smiled as Kit joined her.
“No.” He slid in next to her, placing her hand on his arm. “The only lady I wished to dance with was already taken.” If they were engaged, he could stand up with her more than twice. In fact, he could monopolize her all evening. That thought brought on others, of her in his arms and in his bed, golden hair spread out on the pillow. Her eyes turning silver as he pleasured her.Blast and damn!Huntley was right. Kit needed to ask her soon.
“Really.” She raised one perfectly arched brow. “Who was that?”
He took a glass of lemonade from a passing footman, handing it to her. “You.”
Mary regarded him over the rim of her glass. “Thank you. I greatly enjoy when we dance together.”
Still, that didn’t tell him if she liked standing up with other gentlemen as well. One in particular seemed to be trying to make a push in her direction. He led her out for the last waltz of the evening. “Would you mind if we leave after supper?”
