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Harry said as though she were the only woman in the world, “You know, don’t you, my dear, Henrietta, I spoke only the truth.”
Clay made a face at the two, strode over towards Kitty and the earl, and took up a position beside Kitty to ask if he could fetch her a sherry.
She smiled and declined. He stared at her as though he couldn’t take his gaze away and said, “I am your obedient servant in all things, Kitty … you have but to wiggle your finger, and whatever you want, I shall make it my purpose to achieve it for you.”
She laughed. “You boys have been drinking deep.”
He grinned sheepishly. “That we have … but, even so, do believe me. I am your—”
“Yes, my obedient servant. I quite understand,” Kitty returned on a laugh. She felt the earl’s eyes on hers, met his gaze, and thought, If only he were my obedient—stop! What are you thinking, you wretched woman, you?
“You will take London by storm,” Clay continued.
“Will I?” Kitty teased sweetly. She looked at the earl, “My lord does not think so.”
“Quite out there. Perhaps I did not think so when we first met, but I have changed my mind,” the earl said, evidently throwing in the towel and allowing her yet another compliment.
Kitty laughed, but Clay said gallantly, “I cannot believe anyone could ever not think you would—”
Kitty interrupted him. “Ah … what say you, my lord?”
“I think I shall refrain from commenting further,” he said.
Ah, thought Kitty. He was backtracking. He did not wish to appear too forward in her regard. Intriguing. He had a way about him. He wasn’t rude at all, as she’d first thought him. He sidestepped any issue that he did not mean to utter an opinion on, and he did it most skillfully. She found she liked that about him.
“Ah,” Kit said with a twinkle, “we are all saved from ourselves. Here is dear Nanny.”
The earl’s eyes glittered appreciatively as he turned and was the first to welcome Nanny to join them.
Kitty also went forward and took Nanny’s arm. “I haven’t seen much of you today, dear. Whatever have you been at?”
“Packing … so hard to decide which of my favorite things I should bring … which I should put into storage.”
The earl frowned. “Storage? You needn’t put a thing into storage. Your rooms for the time being remain your rooms. You are only to pack what you need immediately. Upon your arrival in London, my grandmother will take you both shopping for wardrobes.”
Nanny started to object, but the earl put up his hand. “I don’t want to hear anything more about it. Both of you ladies must be clothed in a manner befitting them.” He grinned broadly, evidently well pleased with himself.
Nanny blushed and fidgeted, but Kitty could see she was both flattered and excited about the prospect of some new clothes. She had adored her Uncle Edwin, but he was ever frugal.
Kitty watched the earl. She couldn’t help but watch him. He was a mystery to her. Who was this man she was beginning to know? Where had that bad-tempered, disagreeable man she had first met gone?
Nanny smiled and said, “Oh, I almost forgot … dinner is served. Withers is busy helping your Max, my lord, so I said I would announce dinner.”
The earl’s brow went up. “What? Max? What is wrong with Max?”
“He got kicked proper when he was inspecting the wheel to make certain it wouldn’t come off again. One of the horses got out, and when he went after him, the animal put up an argument, and Max wouldn’t back down. Took a hoof to his thigh.” Nanny sniffed. “I have Max in the kitchen, and both Withers and Cook are putting on one of my cooling poultices. He’ll do.”
“Thank you, Nanny, that was very kind of you. As it happens, Max is a favorite of mine.”
“I should think so, my lord,” Nanny replied making both the earl and Kitty exchange glances and chuckle.
“Dear Nanny, I don’t know what any of us would do without you,” Kitty said.
Nanny blushed deeply and made some unintelligible sound as she led them all towards the dining room.
Kit was pleased to see Harry oust Clayton for Henrietta’s arm. She smiled to herself and then discovered the earl offering her his bent arm.
She was aware of a rush of sensation as she placed her fingers on his forearm. He took her hand and linked it through, saying, “In the face of our new relationship.”
