“I’m quite all right,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm.
Mulberry was speaking again, some inane comment about how Grewin had always had a flair for theater. There were murmurs of agreement, though a few of the ladies looked vaguely uncomfortable.
Kitty noticed which ones. Made note of their lowered eyes.
She kept her hands perfectly still. Her spine upright. Her expression neutral.
Inside, she burned.
She did not understand why Norman had not come.
Was he ill? Had something happened? Or did he know?
Had he known that Mulberry intended to invite Grewin? Was this some cruel joke?
No. No, Norman would not do that.
Would he?
The uncertainty was worse than any answer. It gnawed at her.
She thought of how he had looked at her just days before. The warmth in his voice when he’d spoken of her. Of his lips, so gentle and warm against hers.
Of the way he had shielded her that night, despite everything that happened afterwards. Despite not knowing her.
“Miss McGowan,” Grewin said.
Her name, spoken by that mouth, felt like filth in the air.
Kitty stood.
She did not know she was going to. Her legs moved before her brain gave permission.
She turned to face him.
He stood as tall as she remembered, perhaps taller. Dressed immaculately, hair slightly tousled in a way that suggested he’d spent time perfecting the appearance of carelessness. His mouth curled up at the corner, and his eyes held that same glint of hunger.
He bowed.
Kitty inclined her head, very slightly. It was all the acknowledgment she would give him.
Lady Mulberry beamed. “Lord Grewin has so graciously agreed to take over the role of our dashing rogue. A natural fit, wouldn’t you agree, Kitty?”
There was laughter. One or two shocked gasps masked as coughs.
Kitty did not laugh.
She said, very quietly, “It is not for me to say.”
She sat back down. Her heart was racing so fast it made her fingertips tremble.
Across the room, Eleanor looked stricken.
Cynthia seemed delighted.
Kitty could feel Grewin’s eyes on her. Like grease. Like fingers.
She kept her gaze on the window. It was bright outside. Birds flitted across the lawn.
