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‘You look well kissed,’ he said, lightly touching her cheek.
She dipped her head. ‘I shall take that as a compliment. But Mrs Hampstead will refrain from enquiring. I will tell her that I was gathering late roses and dropped off in the summer house.’
‘Second thoughts? I thought you were determined to carve a new life for yourself.’
She worried her bottom lip. ‘Because it is far too new and I have no wish for speculation. I’ve no wish to force you to do something you might regret.’
‘Allow me to look after myself.’
‘I knew I could count on you.’ She gave a few final twists to her hair and patted the side of her gown, signalling to Moth to follow. ‘Until the next time, Kit.’
‘I look forward to it.’ Kit knew that any further meeting had to come from her. If he pursued, it would look like he cared. And he wasn’t ready for that. ‘And, Harriet...?’
‘Yes, Kit?’
He smiled at her, enjoying the way her gown accentuated her curves. ‘Make it soon.’
‘I will try my level best.’
She clicked her fingers and Moth trotted along behind her. Kit watched until she had gone into the house and lit a lamp in the drawing room. He saw her speaking to Mrs Hampstead and laughing. She was safely back in her world without a stain on her character. He’d kept his word.
Kit leant against the doorway and closed his eyes.
* * *
‘I wish you had come to dinner at the Dents. Doctor Hornby was there and everyone wanted to hear about your exploits. You are quite the heroine,’ Stephanie said when Hattie stopped by Highfield the next morning.
In the depth of the night, Hattie had resolved to continue about her routine as if nothing had happened. She had determined that today would be making jam and doing things about the still room. She found making the preserves, flavoured vinegars and chutneys ultimately satisfying. She had discovered a real talent for the enterprise when she came up to Northumberland. Her elderflower cordial might be prone to exploding, but she knew her damson gin was some of the best in the county.
Above all, she wanted to avoid visiting, in particular seeing Mrs Reynaud. If anyone was going to guess about the affair, Mrs Reynaud was the most likely candidate. Her eyes were so sharp. She’d even guessed about the kiss at the Roman ruins. And everything was far too new and precious. Hattie needed to decide if she wanted anyone else to know, but for now she wanted to hug the news to her chest like some glorious secret.
‘I take it that Sir Christopher and Mr Hook were absent?’
‘Obviously.’ Stephanie rolled her eyes heavenwards. ‘A fight like that is not something you simply get up and walk away from. Mrs Dent agrees that you were reckless, but did what you did out of pure Christian spirit. If your reputation wasn’t so spotless, questions might be asked, but you have been on the shelf for so long, there is little danger of anything untoward happening.’
‘I don’t very much care what Mrs Dent thinks.’ Hattie
crossed her arms. On the shelf, indeed! ‘She has a mouth like the Tyne and speaks before she thinks.’
‘Hattie, what has got into you today?’ Stephanie frowned. ‘You are not usually rude. Of course you care about what Mrs Dent thinks. She is our close neighbour and a powerful force in Tyne Valley society.’
‘She is looking to marry off her eldest daughter.’
‘Livvy is more than a match for her.’ Stephanie tapped a forefinger against her mouth. ‘Come to think of it, Mrs Dent was awfully curious about Mr Hook and his habits. She has heard about the proposed lecture.’
‘I thought you were not interested in Mr Hook for Livvy. Livvy must have a title and all that.’
‘Mr Hook has asked Mr Parteger if he will help with the final preparation. Mr Parteger is reluctant. There is no good encouraging him, Mr Parteger says, as there is no title.’
Hattie leant forwards. She had been racking her brain all morning as she picked strawberries about how she could go about contacting Kit and the answer lay before her—the lecture preparations. ‘But it was your scheme.’
Stephanie heaved a long drawn-out sigh. ‘I swear my husband does not appreciate any of my schemes. I have had to ask the Colonel.’
Hattie glanced over to the firmly closed library door. ‘I believe he likes a bit of peace, Stephanie. He doesn’t see the same urgency as you and he has never been terribly social.’
‘You know I was pregnant with Livvy when I was just a bit older than her. It scarcely seems possible.’ Stephanie put her hand on her stomach. Her face crumpled. A single tear ran down her cheek.
