“Perfectly possible! I don’t want...”
“To remind anyone of the Kit Kat Club? Did you mind your husband’s hospitality? Being adored by a horde of young men?”
Kitty wanted to protest that word again, but he needed an answer. She took time to complete the pouring of her tea and topped up his cup. “I didn’t mind the hospitality. Marcus would have hated lack of company. He didn’t like reading or any handicraft, and so had no occupation when alone.”
“He had you.”
“And we enjoyed some pleasant times, but he needed the company of men.”
“You might have enjoyed the company of women.”
“Heavens, are you imagining me in confinement? I went around the area to the shops and such, and took Sillikin for walks, often meeting other women and enjoying some gossip. Janet Saunders, my seamstress, is a friend. I enjoyed my visit there today.”
He stirred sugar into his tea. “And at the Abbey you have only Ruth Lulworth.”
“Ruth is enough,” Kitty said, though inside she knew it wasn’t quite true. She was like Marcus in enjoying a merry group. How hard to please she was. “Let’s return to your business. Have you considered that the dukes of Clarence, Kent, and Sussex might have gathered to concoct a deep, dark plot to usurp the throne?”
“I must confiscate your novels.”
“I haven’t had time to read one for ages. I know history, however, and brothers have united to remove an unjust or inadequate ruler.”
“True, but you imply a plot against the Regent. Wallowing in grief is not so heinous a sin.”
“I’m sure the queen would like to slap the Regent’s fat bottom for it. I’ve heard she has a stern way with her children.”
“Which is proof only that a stern way with children doesn’t achieve desirable results.”
Kitty sipped her tea, eyeing him. “Were your parents stern?”
“Not particularly. School was another matter. Yours?”
“Not at all, and not at school, either.”
“Which probably explains everything.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. He smiled, but a topic lurked, unacknowledged. “So, if we have children,” she said, “we will be indulgent?”
“No. But not unkind, I hope.”
“Never unkind. I’d insist on that. But it is unlikely,” she reminded him.
“And as promised, you’ll hear no recriminations from me.”
But will youmind?
She was beginning to think she might. Being childless with Marcus hadn’t bothered her. She’d never thought deeply about it, but must have known it would create animpossible situation. Now, with three homes and ample money... There was no benefit to dwelling on that, and truly it was a hazardous business for women.
“What will we see at the theater tonight?” she asked.
“Guy Mannering. It’s the first time it’s been staged, so an unknown quantity. And a farce. I forget what.”
“Forget?” she teased.
“You’ve scrambled my wits.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll enjoy my first trip to the theater no matter what’s on stage.” She considered a plate of damson tarts, but decided she’d eaten enough. Braydon was staring into space. “Penny for your thoughts?” she asked.
He blinked. “My apologies. Thoughts of theatricals. We’ve let our imaginations run wild because the affair of the three princes does feel like a farce, where no plot device is too wild.”
