“Unless what, Kate?”
You wish to marry me.
The unconscious thought startled her. She wasn’t the kind of woman a gentleman married. Men like her father were rare. Even her mother had said as much. And yet, there it was, her deepest desire. An impossible one.
“Unless the time is right,” she answered. She was tired, she realized. Overwhelmed actually... and felt deflated. “Thank you for the drawings.” She began moving toward the tents.
“I’ll see you this evening?” he asked.
She nodded without turning around.
Inside her tent, Mary and Jess were sleeping. Kate quickly undressed and climbed into her cot. She glanced over at the other women. Mary appeared relaxed while Jess was sleeping on her side, something she didn’t do very often—or were Kate’s nerves stretched so thin she truly was looking for beasties everywhere?
She turned onto her side and ignored the tear that ran down her cheek. No good was going to come from her liaison with Brandon. At least, she was honest enough with herself to admit it. For a bit, she’d let herself believe all would be right. She knew now she wanted more than he could give. He was too proud a man to take on a wife he couldn’t support... or one who, well, who would bring very little to a marriage.
And if he made an offer to keep her as his mistress? If he’d put such an offer into words?
She was no longer certain of her answer.
Something was bothering Kate. Bran blamed himself. Why had he even started that conversation?
It was because of the drawings. The set pieces were his gift to her. He’d been pleased that she’d liked them. However, it was only when she was looking at them that he realized she was going to leave Maidenshop. She was going to leave him.
Bran raked a hand through his hair. Something was not right between them, and he didn’t know what it was save that he was desperate to resolve it.
Should he not have done the drawings?
She had walked off to the tents without looking back. Always before she’d at least give him a glance and would often return for one more kiss. Not this morning.
Or was she tired? They didn’t sleep much. And he wouldn’t apologize for his gift. She had been pleased. Kate could not have faked her reaction.
In fact, after seeing how happy she was, his mind began working on new sets. The blank stage she was working with for herAesop’s Fableswas serviceable... but what if he designed some pieces that would convey a sense of Ancient Greece? Village crowds would like that, especially if it was something no other acting troupe had.
He also could do something about the costumes. In India, he’d been fascinated by some of the dances he’d seen, where the performers often wore masks to convey the characters they portrayed.
In fact, as he walked back to the Dower House, his imagination was alive with ideas. This was more fun than designing bridges and roads. He’d sketch a few of his thoughts and show them to her tonight. Masks would take up very little room in the theater wagon and could add so much more to their performances.
Then Kate would understand he was committed to her. He supported what she was doing. He wanted her to be happy—
A weight plowed into him, almost knocking him to the ground and crashing him into a tree.
Stunned, Bran was shocked to see that Winderton had attacked him. His nephew stood in front of him, his face outlined in fury. His hands went for Bran’s throat.
“You bloody bastard. I saw you on the table with Kate Addison. How dare you put your hands on her.”
Chapter Fifteen
Christopher was young and strong. However, Bran was heavier and more experienced. He brought his arms up, breaking his nephew’s attempt to choke him. Bran then shoved the duke away from him. Winderton’s heel caught on a tree root and he went sprawling onto the ground.
Doubling his fist, Bran stood over him. “Don’t dare get up, not until you tell me what this is about.” His head and back hurt from being slammed against the tree. He was willing to give his nephew a schooling he’d not soon forget.
“I saw you with her,” Winderton shot out, half rising as if in defiance.
“Saw what?”
“You and Kate Addison, in the Dower House, on the table. I saw you. Or don’t you remember?”
So, Kate’s sense that they were being watched was not wrong.
