“Look, I hadn’t planned to kiss her. But then it was—” He stared at Kaitlyn, hoping she’d understand. “Youknowhow she is. When she commits to something, she never does it halfway.”
“And you ran scared. Oh, Jem.” Kaitlyn stood, her expression a mixture of incredulity and disgust. “You knew her father had abandoned her and her mother. Just took off. And then you did the same thing to Reese.” She huffed. “Now I know why she sounded off when I told her you were coming on the trip.”
“When we first got here,” he said, “I thought things were good between us.”
Kaitlyn studied him, her lips pinched, eyes narrowed. “You two kissed again, didn’t you?”
“The day before the picnic.” He then told her what Nellie had said and his fears that the Earl would convince Reese to stay. “Ellen’s brother has lots of power. How can I compete with him?”
“You and I both know Reese would never be tempted by that,” Kaitlyn said.
“Then why is Nellie so convinced Reese has a choice to make? Ithasto be a temptation for her.”
“Or, she’s fallen for the Earl.” Kaitlyn’s comment and meditative expression turned Jem’s stomach. His sister shook her head. “She has trust issues anyway because of her father. There’s no way she’d get together with a guy she’s only know for a few days.”
“Yeah,” he said with a sigh of relief. “I’ve known her half her life.”
“And known her long enough to have messed up royal too, doofus.” Kaitlyn elbowed him. “If she has to make a choice, Jem, you have to give her achoice! If she could really be tempted to stay here, you have to make her want a future with you.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, his mind already going to work. “But what about you, Kate?”
“What about me?” She had sounded a little defensive, like she’d been when they were children and she was trying to keep a secret from him.
“You’re always hanging around with Sir Hughes. Is that getting serious? I don’t want to go home and leave you here.”
“It’s sweet of you to say that, but I’m all grown up now. I get to make my own decisions. I guess both Reese and I have choices to make.” Kaitlyn had patted his cheek. “Go win your lady.”
His focus returned to the tenant village where Reese and Kellworth were now talking. Jemhadto find a way to talk to Reese.
***
Reese cried in Gareth’s arms, full of joy. All her worries and nightmares about the baby were for nothing. Seeing the improved pinkness of the baby’s skin had sent relief flooding through her. If not for the Earl’s support, she would have dropped to her knees, drained.
Lulu’s familiar cough brought Reese back to where she was and the realization that people might be witnessing this completely inappropriate behavior with the Earl of Kellworth.
Reese dropped her arms from around his neck and tried to step back, but Gareth tightened his hold on her. She looked up, and the fierceness in his gaze caught her off guard, freezing her in place. His heart beat so hard, it made the veins in his neck pulse.
She was totally giving him the wrong impression. They could never be a couple. Even if she wasn’t already in love with Jem, Gareth was the guy who’d never gotten over his dead wife and kept mistresses to forget his grief. Besides, he was so much older than she was.
Lulu coughed again, this time much louder. The Earl released Reese, and she stepped back. To cover her confusion, she wiped her eyes.
“Excuse me, miss, my lord,” Lulu said, her tone differential, her gaze stern. She sent him a meaningful look.
“I am the one who should beg Miss Clarisse’s pardon,” Gareth said. “I forgot myself in our shared happiness over the child.” He scanned the village, almost like he was seeing it for the first time. “I did not know.” He glanced at Reese. “But I know now, because ofyou.”
Hope fought with discomfort at the depth of feeling she saw in his gaze. Hope won, and she said, “There are many more improvements needed here, my lord.” She could keep this businesslike.
“I wish you to call me Gareth,” he said softly, his expression almost loving. But that was ridiculous. He’d only known her a few days. She had taken the gentle caress on the stairs to mean an apology, to assure her.
She’d beensowrong. This wasnotgood.
“We’re not alone, your lordship.” And we’re never going to be now, ever again. She took a step toward the widow’s cottage.
“Miss Clarisse.” The Earl caught up and offered her his arm. When she hesitated to take it, he said, “I move too quickly for you. I apologize.” He nudged his elbow closer. “I will contain my impatience, but I give you fair warning that I intend to court you.”
Reese stopped so quickly that he strode past her and had to turn back. As he faced her, she lifted her hands, palms up, as a barrier.
“Please don’t.” She glanced at the workers, some of whom were watching them with interest.
