“There was one kiss,” Amanda admitted. “One very long kiss.” More than one, but she would never forget the almost endless first one. Or the sweet, touching last one. Or the one when he all but inhaled her scream when she shattered from pleasure. Or—
“You like him, don’t you? The way you saidone very long kisssounded like you do. If so, it is sad if you won’t see him again. He would want nothing respectable, but there’s worse things than having a gentleman take care of you.” She looked around the cellar.
“There would be no point in finding out. I will be leaving soon, you see. Leaving London.”
Katherine’s expression fell. “Why? You’ve a good situation where you are. That lady is generous. If it is this chamber, you could do better, I am sure, or even live with her perhaps.”
“I’ve a better situation waiting elsewhere.”
“Better than the lady? I can’t imagine anything better than that.” She tucked the shawl closer and looked at the fire. “You are my best friend here. The only one really, since I don’t trust the others who might call themselves that. I don’t think any of them would burn their own fuel if I had the chills or needed some for a bath.”
Amanda knelt beside the chair and placed her arm around Katherine. “I will miss you too. I was all alone until that day when I heard you cursing in the bath next door. I will leave whatever fuel I have left so you might enjoy a few baths in my name. Perhaps you can live here after I go. It is far quieter during the days here. You might sleep better.”
“I fear I’d never see the light if I slept down here. It is kind of you to leave any fuel, though.”
“I will have to leave some other things too. I can’t take all of the dresses. You can have them if you want, to remake or sell.”
Katherine brightened. “I will use one at least. It has been over a year since I had a new dress.” Her expression dimmed again just as fast. “When will you go?”
“Before the month is out.” She got to her feet. “Soup is warmed. Stay there and I will bring you some.”
Chapter Nine
Gabriel sat at his desk in his study, a chamber he had only recently begun using on a regular basis. Just taking his seat here symbolized changes in his life that he was not sure he liked much. All the same, he read the correspondence regarding the penal reform bill, jotting notes for his responses. He would have to devote a whole day to writing them, from the look of things. He would arrange to do it all in one long session with his secretary, Thadius. Or was it Tacitus? Damned if he could remember Mr. Crawley’s first name.
He had thrown himself into these duties the last few days. It helped keep his mind off his mystery woman. It also distracted him from his wounded pride. Both would invade his thoughts unexpectedly, merging into a combination of vivid memories, latent arousal, and petulant resentment.
They did so now, interfering with his concentration. Who would think that he, of all men, would be subjected to such treatment from a woman? That she had managed to remain anonymous all this time made him feel more of an idiot.
After summoning every ounce of honor on her behalf, to be thrown over like that—no, not thrown over, he reminded himself. You cannot be thrown over if there was no real liaison. Except, in a manner of speaking, he had been anyway, or at least felt like he had been. Before they fell asleep, there had been an understanding, as he saw it. An agreement that dawn would find her still beside him at least.
He swallowed the annoyance that the thoughts revived. He forced himself to read the damned letters.
Halfway through the chore, while he cursed himself that he had involved himself at all in any bill since it required so much boring work, his study door opened and his brother entered. Glad for the excuse to stop, he set his pen in its holder and sat back.
“Your return is welcome but surprising, Harry. The Season is not yet over, but a few families are already peeling off, going down to the country that you have inexplicably abandoned.”
“I had to return. As to why, I am here to see you because of the reason.”
“Are you being deliberately intriguing? That is not like you.”
Harry turned the chair the secretary normally used and sat in it. “I received word that I should come back and check my house. There was a theft nearby. Word has spread, and all the households in the area are taking inventory.”
“Have you completed yours? I should say that I visited there myself a few times so if a few items are out of place, it could have been my doing. However, I saw nothing amiss.”
“Nothing is gone from my house, although I appreciate your telling me you were there since a few things were moved. The theft took place next door, at Sir Malcolm’s home.”
“I can only imagine the interior of that house, stuffed as it must be from generations of accumulation. How would anyone even know something was taken?”
“I am not sure. The evidence was clear enough, though. In any event, for the next month or so, I need to be more vigilant.”
“Harry, I do not want to criticize your home, but there are not many thieves interested in old historical tomes or artifacts from barbaric cultures. I think you are quite safe.”
“I trust I am. Still—I have come to ask to borrow some of your footmen. Only during the night. I suspect old Gerard falls asleep, and would not hear thieves even if they walked right past him.”
“You are welcome to however many footmen you think you need.”
Harry seemed contented with that. He did not leave, however. He uncrossed his legs, then crossed them again. He endeavored to appear like a brother having a friendly chat and nothing more. “Have you seen Emilia while I was gone?”
