Page 27 of Tempting Her Viscount

Now, however, things were different.

“You know I would marry her,” Kit said.

Gray frowned at his plate and Kit didn’t think his friend was upset with his rasher of bacon. They way his shoulders hunched, Kit would almost think him guilty of something.

“You would make her a fine husband. I’m sorry things didn’t…work out before.” He cleared his throat before changing the subject. “Celia doesn’t think I know, but she’s been out in society. She’s attended a ball,” he said solemnly. As if she were headed to the gallows instead.

“She mentioned she was going to do so. She seemed very excited about it actually.” She certainly didn’t seem very excited after realizing what had happened between them. Rather unsettled, actually.

Could it be she was repulsed to find out her Lord Desire was actually him? She was always pleasant. They even flirted. While she’d rejected his offer years ago and chosen Lord Hamlin over him, Kit had always gotten the impression she’d liked him. At least as a friend.

He definitely needed to speak to her.

Now was preferable. He excused himself when breakfast was over saying he had things he needed to see to at home. He knew Gray would leave shortly for his daily ride in the park.

Once Kit was out of the house, he turned toward the mews and sneaked back into the house through the servant’s entrance as he and Gray had done many times while the old marquess was still alive.

Being a friend of the family had its benefits. Specifically, in knowing which bedchamber belonged to Celia. He couldn’t linger in the hall for very long. He didn’t want to have to explain himself to Graham before he’d managed to understand the situation himself.

At her door, he paused, debating whether to knock. To do so would grant her the opportunity to send him away, and he had too many questions to let them go unanswered.

Instead of knocking, he listened for a moment and then entered.