She curtseyed as he bowed and placed his hand on her waist. “No, not at all. Truth be told, I’m a little tired.”
Soon Mary was in his arms again, but it wasn’t enough. He forced himself not to close the distance between them during the turn. It was taking all the self-control he had to keep from grabbing her hand, pulling her outside, and kissing her senseless.
Thus creating exactly the type of scandal his long-dead half-brother had caused. Kit couldn’t do it. Somehow he had to find a way to keep his vow and convince her to become his wife.
An hour later, Mary and Kit arrived home to find Huntley’s aunt and uncle still up and in conversation with Lord Simon and thewoman she had met during morning visits the other day. A young man she’d been introduced to the previous evening was there as well.
“Do you know who the young lady and gentleman are?” Kit whispered.
“I do.” She turned so that her back was to the rest of the company. “They are the ones I told you about. See how the younger man resembles Lord Simon?”
“Please join us.” Lord Titus hailed them. “Help yourself to wine, brandy, or whisky. The others are in the nursery with the babes. Apparently the poor things are fussy.”
Kit handed her a glass of sherry and remained by her side as they approached the group.
“Lady Mary,” Lady Theo said, “you have met Morna. It turns out she and Simon are married after all.” When the tale was finished it seemed to resemble something out of a romance novel rather than real life. Including them sneaking out of their town house and arriving here after Morna’s father tried to gain entrance to the house. “They will be staying here,” Lady Theo continued, “until passage can be arranged to England. I must ask you not to mention that fact to anyone.”
“No indeed,” Mary promised.
Next to her Kit squeezed her hand. “I’m sure none of us will say a word.”
She couldn’t imagine being married to someone old enough to be her grandfather or anyone she didn’t love. A shiver slithered down her spine. Yet that was exactly what would have happened if she hadn’t had the support of her family and been able to escape her cousin. Her heart went out to Lord Simon’s family for all they’d suffered due to the selfishness of others.
She tightened her fingers around Kit’s much larger hand. He was always either with her or waiting for her. They’d had so much fun sightseeing to-day, and no one waltzed better than he did. He wasn’t as romantic as the heroes in the novels, but he was strong and steady. Although she would like a bit more romance, Mary could not imagine spending her life with another man. Kit was the gentleman she wanted to marry.
If only he’d ask her.
The next morning, Caro sat with Phoebe, Anna, and Theo around the breakfast table. Phoebe’s and Anna’s eyes were heavy as they sipped their tea.
“Where is Mary?” Phoebe asked. “I thought she’d be down by now.”
“Down, eaten, and gone.” Caro grinned. Mary’s bedchamber was up the corridor from hers, and Caro had heard Mary leave. “She and Kit are taking in more of the sights.”
Anna raised her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. “Why is it taking so long for them to come to a decision?”
Phoebe pulled a face. “Sometimes it’s not easy.”
Dropping her head in her hands, Anna said, “I’m sorry, but you had a reason to be concerned. Kit, on the other hand, has never done anything even questionable.”
Caro swallowed her bannock. “You must remember, Mary has not known Kit for as long as the two of you have.”
“They are also both afraid of being rejected,” Phoebe added. “If only we could think of something to show them they want to marry each other.”
“You’re both right,” Anna said. “Ignore me. I’m just tired.”
Theo poured another cup of tea, a knowing expression on her countenance. “You might be interested to know, I have put a scheme in play. Give it another day or so, and I believe we’ll have a betrothal.”
And then, Caro prayed, a quick wedding. According to the letter she’d received from her mother, there was a great deal of talk and speculation about Kit leaving Town during the Season.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The old traveling coach lurched to one side and stopped.Damn it to hell. Gawain pounded on the roof. “What happened?”
His groom’s boots hit the ground. “I’m lookin’.” A few moments later, Whitely appeared at the window. “Broke the wheel.”
Bloody hell!They were so close. “Where are we?”
“We passed Alnwick a ways back. If you want to stay here, I’ll go and find help.”
