AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Has Clay offered for her yet?”
“No, but I believe he is expected to. And, Kit, I think her parents are well satisfied with the match.”
“But what of Ree? How does Ree feel about Bickwerth?”
“I am not sure. I am depending on you to ferret that piece of information out. Kitty, even if she doesn’t choose me … I can’t allow her to marry a man who will turn around after the honeymoon and spend her money on wine, women and gambling, and that is what he’ll do.”
“I rather thought Ree was not indifferent to your suit.” Kitty frowned over this and watched his face.
“Indeed, so thought I. But lately she has denied me her company.”
“Are you saying, for I cannot believe it, that Henrietta spurned you?” Kitty’s hand flew up.
“Not exactly spurned me … but after the Ritters’ ball, I came to call, and she wouldn’t see me.”
“Perhaps she was unwell.”
“She saw Clay …” Harry said, his voice falling with his dejection.
“How do you know that?”
“Because Henrietta told me.”
“What?” Kitty stood up, “Harry, this is not making any sense.” She sat back down.
“Not to me either. You see, if she chooses Clay over me, well, I could live with that, if he weren’t such a cad. He will break her heart.”
“I can’t believe any of this. Harry, you are missing something here. I am sure of it.”
He stood and paced away. Kitty got up and followed, putting a hand on his arm, and he turned to her and declared, “I shall go mad with hurting.”
“Harry, don’t worry. No one is going to break Ree’s heart, even if I have to shake the good sense back into her. You have naught to concern yourself about. I dashed well mean to take the reins of this wild team and slow them down!”
“Oh Kit … Kit!” Harry wailed and took her into his arms for a bear hug.
* * *
The earl had, in fact, gone off to seek out his grandmother, if only to pass a few moments before he could rejoin Harry and Kitty. He told himself theirs was only a friendship, but what if friendship in this case had led to love? After all, absence may just have made the heart grow fonder. Perhaps Harry had come to town because he found he damn well couldn’t live without Kitty?
This disturbed him on levels he had never before explored.
He found his grandmother busy in the kitchen planning a menu and left her to her own devices with a wink and a smile.
Had he left them alone long enough? Damn, but he bloody well had.
Thus, he headed back towards his study. There, in the open doorway, he pulled up short.
Love and jealousy slammed into him. He had no idea when or how this had happened to him.
He thought he was hardened against the dangerous emotion called love.
He thought he was well able to step aside and never be caught.
He had been wrong, and all it took was a bubbling, refreshing beauty with glittering green eyes and a laugh that made him want to scoop her into his arms and make her his for all time.
Now what was to be done? Was Harry declaring his love?
Did she return Harry’s love? She couldn’t … he wouldn’t believe that was so. He had seen feeling in her when they were together.
