“Somewhere in the boxes of curiosity?”
“We’ve gone through most of the papers.”
“Does it matter?”
“If he wasn’t living at the house or at a club, where was he?”
Kitty considered it, then exclaimed, “A mistress! Why didn’t I think of that? One he’d set up in a house. He wouldn’t want his servants to know, so he’d claim to be at a club.”
“Then there should be expenses relating to that.”
“Oh, I suppose so. You think he was up to something shady? From his portrait, it seems unlikely.”
“It does. When we unravel this, we’ll discover something completely banal.”
“Should we pity him for that assessment?”
He gave a wry smile. “Probably envy him, but I don’t think either of us is suited to a dull and tranquil life.”
“No.” She liked the way he linked them. She remembered thinking that Braydon’s longing for London was because of a mistress, but now she doubted it. He was simply enjoying being in Town and whatever work he was involved in. They were both suited to London and its challenges, but the Abbey and estates hung around their necks like... like slave collars.
She remembered another scrap of Shakespeare. Something about things gone wrong, and someone cursed to have been born to set it right. Flies to wanton gods indeed.
“Is something the matter?” he asked.
She put on a cheerful face. “Only the thought of a dull and tranquil life.” She raised her teacup. “Lord save us from that!”
***
Braydon left to return to Peel Street. He could have remained at home, for there was nothing pressing to do, but he didn’t trust himself. He couldn’t rid himself of the image of Kitty in a circle of admiring military men, glowing with enjoyment.
Had she ever glowed like that for him?
Reason shouted that they’d known each other for only a couple of days, but that underlined that she’d known some of those men for far longer.Known...
Their wedding night had wiped away any notion of her having many lovers. She’d seemed to come to bed with an assumption of one, clear way of going about it. That didn’t mean she hadn’t loved. Had she wished one of her established admirers had made her an offer so she’d not had to accept one from a stranger out of desperation?
One of the military cluster had been Edison. He was the one who’d given her Sillikin, but also the one Braydon had lied to about her whereabouts. No wonder Edison had sent him a coldly furious look, but that proved a depth of attachment.
He’d returned the look with interest.She’s mine now. Abandon hope.
The last thing he should do was to show his jealousy, which was why he’d left, but perhaps if he returned, he could do better....
“Lord Dauntry!”
He snapped to attention to see a florid Mrs. Motely approaching, her eldest daughter in tow. She was his sister Justina’s sister-in-law and keen to increase the family connection.
Despite the nip in the air, the two Motelys were willingto linger. At the earliest opportunity he mentioned his wife. That led to exclamations of surprise and smiling good wishes, but also to their abrupt lack of interest. His marriage was serving that purpose, at least.
It wouldn’t have been hard to find a wife, but as he’d always known, a conventional wooing would have required more time and promises he hadn’t felt able to make.
And it would have been a shame, because then he’d not be married to Kit Kat.
Damn her.
Chapter 31
Kitty lingered at the lunch table, fretting over Braydon’s attitude and depressed by thoughts of the Abbey; but dwelling on either could only make matters worse. The Abbey was her destiny, and Braydon wasn’t like Marcus. His jealousy wouldn’t turn violent.
