Page 55 of Return to Satterthwaite Court

His mouth quirked faintly. “When could I possibly have mentioned it? More to the point, why would I have?”

She glowered at him. “You might have indicated if you had marriage plans in mind. If there’s some young lady with whom you have an understanding—”

“There’s no young lady.”

The knot in her chest eased a little. “Oh. Well…that’s…”

“Though how it’s any of your business, I can’t begin to imagine.”

“Of course it’s my business! We both know what this is. Do me the courtesy of—”

“What this is,” he said gruffly, “is the height of absurdity. I’ve been a fool to indulge it this long.”

Her face fell. “Is that what you’ve been doing? Indulging me?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Lord knows what I’ve been doing. From the moment I set foot in Bond Street, my life has been in chaos. I wish to heaven I’d never encountered that wretched dog.”

“Now who’s being absurd.” She advanced on him, only coming to a halt when the front of her full skirts bowed against his legs. “You rescued that poor dog for one reason only. If not for that—”

“I went after him because he was on the verge of harming himself, or someone else. He bit you to start. Five minutes longer and—”

“You rescued him because you’re a hero. Not just the kind who fights in a war or who performs some grand act for public acclaim.” She took hold of the lapels of his greatcoat, giving them a forceful tug. “You didn’t care a whit what anyone thought. And you certainly made no effort to endear yourself to us. You acted purely for the good, regardless of the muck, and filth, and inconvenience of it. How could I not set my sights on you? I’d be a fool—”

He closed his hands over hers, silencing her. “You don’t know me, Kate.”

Her heart beat hard. She was almost afraid to say it. Almost afraid to ask. But, after all, faint heart never won fair gentleman.

“I’d like to know you,” she said. “Don’t you want to get to know me?”

He stared at her for a long moment. “Yes,” he said finally. “God help me.”

She brightened. “Then we’re of the same mind.”

Frowning, he let go of her hands. “I doubt that very much.”

She released his lapels, briefly smoothing her hands over the wrinkles she’d made in his greatcoat before stepping away from him. “You know what I mean. We both of us wish to know each other better. And we’ve three days in which to do it.”

Charles straightened from the wall of the loose box. “I have a suspicion that three days won’t be near enough.”

“Oh? How long do you suppose it will take?” she asked.

“Three years,” he answered solemnly. “Perhaps three decades.”

She laughed at his seriousness. “Nonsense. I’m not that complicated.” She gave her skirts a shake. “Shall we return to the house? Doubtless your sister will be wondering where we are. I shouldn’t like her to feel I’ve abandoned her.”

He wordlessly offered her his arm.

Kate took it, still smiling, as they walked from the stables. He was grumpy, to be sure. Grumpy, gruff, and occasionally disobliging.

But he was going to be hers.

She was determined.

Chapter Seventeen

That evening, Kate sent her lady’s maid, Yvette, to assist Hannah with readying for dinner. Kate followed a half hour later. She knocked softly on Hannah’s bedroom door before entering.

“May I come in?”