“True, but if you believe my intentions are motivated by convenience, you are dead wrong, Miss Leigh.”
*
For all that Mr. Archer moved slowly, attempting to do so without her noticing, Katherine was all too aware of how close they stood and his arms drawing around her. And she accepted it solely because for the first time in her life, she felt faint. Despite Katherine being a fine walker and a sturdy lady, her muscles struggled to keep her upright.
Mr. Archer spoke with such conviction, as though he didn’t doubt a single syllable, and she fought to hold onto her reasons for rejecting him when everything in his tone and expression spoke of truth. Holding her flush to him, Mr. Archer recited those statements again, echoing what he’d said before, and she couldn’t help but lean closer into his embrace.
How she wished them to be true.
Stiffening, Katherine swallowed as her throat clamped shut.
That was the problem, wasn’t it? She wanted this declaration to be exactly what it appeared to be. Just as she prayed that the shift among her siblings wasn’t fleeting. But how many times must she risk her heart before she learned her lesson?
“It is growing late,” she said, stepping away.
Mr. Archer released her, his arms dropping to his sides as he stood there, watching her.
“I hadn’t planned on staying the whole evening, as I have much to do tomorrow. My coach leaves early the day after next, and there is still much to be done.” Katherine forced herself to swallow and gave him a feeble smile. “As I intend to tell my parents about my plans, tomorrow is bound to be fatiguing, and I ought to get some rest.”
Turning away, Katherine began moving back down the path, toward the house.
“That is probably for the best,” he said. “Tomorrow shall be quite busy for me as well, and a good night’s sleep is required before long days of travel.”
Chapter 42
Katherine stopped in place, her spine straightening at those final words. “And where are you going on such short notice?”
“The coast.”
Whipping around to face him, she stared at him. “No, you are not.”
Mr. Archer had his hands tucked behind him as he replied with a smile, “A little village in Cheshire called Thorngate. I’ve heard it’s quite picturesque.”
Tingles ran down her skin, settling in her stomach as she stared at him. Despite the darkness, there was light enough to see the smugness in his smile.
“You are not visiting Thorngate.”
Mr. Archer nodded. “You are correct. I am not visiting. I am relocating and plan on being there for some time—”
“No, you are not.”
“My things are all in crates and trunks, ready for the 8:43 a.m. coach to Preston. I’ve got a room at the inn—just until I can locate a house to let. I’ve heard there is some very beautiful property on the cliffs, overlooking the ocean.” With a tilt of his head, he added, “There’s a particularly darling cottage that would be perfect, but I fear it is already let. I do hope I might make friends with its mistress, and she might allow me to visit from time to time and enjoy her view.”
Katherine gaped, her sluggish thoughts attempting to sort out this revelation, but none of it made any sense. “You are not going to my Thorngate.”
“I heard Benjamin was traveling there,” he said with a shrug. “You know how much trouble he can get into if left unattended.”
“And your solution was to force your way into our traveling party?” she demanded, grasping onto the first thought she could—and leaving her to wonder what it said about her that her first instinct was combative.
Relaxing his shoulders, Mr. Archer let his arms fall to his sides, but he didn’t move any closer. “I have told you, Miss Leigh. I am in love with you. I know it. And I am not willing to surrender simply because I have bungled things so terribly. If you require time to trust me once more, then so be it. You are leaving for Thorngate, so I must follow. I won’t be parted from you. I cannot bear it.”
Katherine’s breaths stilled, though her pulse raced.
Jutting her chin, she met his statement with narrowed eyes. “And give up on your Mystery Lady? That gorgeous and perfect specimen? That paragon of women?”
Mr. Archer’s head lowered, his brows drawing together as he stared at his toes. “I cannot do anything about the past, Miss Leigh, other than apologize for it, but if you think hiding behind your righteous indignation will deter me, you do not know me at all.”
Yes, it was quite impossible to breathe—due to both the accuracy with which he described her present feelings and the sentiment rife in his words.
