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‘Really?’ She lifted an eyebrow. ‘Rules should be broken only when it suits you. I don’t live that way.’
Kit visibly winced.
‘I was an ass. It was wrong of me. I know what is important.’ He held out his hand. ‘I didn’t want to feel like this, Hattie. I fought against it, but it happened. I have accepted that now and stopped fighting. I want to do the right thing with your help.’
He didn’t want it to happen. He accepted it. Hattie rolled her eyes. She was supposed to think this was an apology? Or, worse still, some sort of lily-livered offer? ‘Fight harder and you will get over it. I promise.’
‘What if I tell you that I am prepared to stay in
Northumberland? For as long as you like?’
‘And I am supposed to believe you? Just like that? The great Sir Christopher shows up at my house, gives a highly reluctant marriage proposal and I fall into his arms? Is that the way it works?’
A wicked glint appeared in his eyes. ‘It sounds like a good scenario to me.’
‘If that is all you wish to discuss, I shall bid you good day. You must leave, Sir Christopher. We have nothing further to say to each other. Ever.’
Chapter Fourteen
‘What is going on here?’ Kit asked when he arrived back at the Lodge and saw a stand off between Rupert and Johnson. Rupert physically blocked the door to his bedroom while Johnson glowered at him. Kit controlled his temper. The last thing he wanted to do was to have to deal with Rupert and Johnson. All he wanted was his bed and sleep. After he rested, he knew he’d come up with a viable plan to win Harriet.
‘A slight misunderstanding, sir,’ Johnson said. ‘Mr Hook wishes to prevent me packing your things.’
‘Returning to London would be a mistake, Kit. I beg you to reconsider.’
‘Sir Christopher never reconsiders, Mr Hook. I have explained this to you several times,’ Johnson said with a long-suffering sigh. ‘I know my gentleman, begging your pardon. You should allow me to do my duty.’
‘Unpack the bags, Johnson. I want the rose bedroom made ready as well.’ Kit looked hard at his manservant. ‘We are staying...for the foreseeable future.’
Both men’s jaws dropped open. Johnson recovered himself first.
‘Very good, sir. The rose bedroom will be made ready.’ Johnson bustled off, shaking his head.
Kit fought hard not to laugh. He had never seen his manservant as flummoxed before. Seeing Johnson shaken out of his usual reserve was the sole moment of merriment he’d been able to derive from the catastrophe.
‘We are not going to London?’ Rupert squeaked.
‘Are you deaf, Rupert? To repeat myself—we are staying.’
‘Truly?’ Rupert’s voice cracked. ‘We are staying. Here in Northumberland? I’m about to start believing in miracles.’
Kit raised an eyebrow. Miracles? Right now he needed one, but he would not allow himself to lose hope. He intended to prove to Harriet that he was worthy and worth taking a risk on.
‘I simply saw the error of my ways,’ Kit said in a tone that allowed for no further questions. ‘I regret that I haven’t been able to speak to you about the lecture before now. Perhaps going on about the mating habits of the newt while staring directly at Miss Parteger was not the best strategy. There was rather a shocked ripple which ran through the crowd. Next time, think about your audience’s sensibilities.’
Rupert had the grace to flush. ‘I adore her. The words came tumbling out.’ He pressed his hand to his heart. ‘Kit, do you think I have a chance? Her parents want a title and I have none.’
Kit pursed his lips. Once he would have told Rupert to forget Miss Parteger and move on, but now knowing Harriet, he knew that moving on was the wrong tack. There were times in a man’s life when he had to dig in and fight.
‘You are determined on this course?’
Rupert gave a slow nod.
‘Titles are not everything, Rupert. It is more important that you two get on. Sometimes you have to hope.’
‘Without a title I am nowhere.’
‘Your great-uncle might die without an heir. You’d have a title then.’
Rupert looked dubious. ‘He has just married a woman young enough to be my sister.’
‘It remains a distant possibility, I grant you, but it might get you a hearing.’
‘How will I convince her father and, more importantly, her mother of that? Mr Parteger only found the lecture of passing interest.’
