Casting another glance at Mrs. Kitts’ shawl, he frowned. With narrowed eyes, David examined it again and frowned to himself with a shake of the head. Apparently, habits were hard to break, for after two months of searching for the Mystery Lady, he saw signs of her everywhere.
It wasn’t the same shawl. Similar, yes, but this was more beige than cream, and the stitching was far darker and less intricate. David was a fool of the highest order.
His attention drifted from that silly shawl back to Katherine.HisKatherine.
Whoever that Mystery Lady was, her identity meant nothing, and whatever had awakened his heart that night was of no consequence. True love was not some stolen moment or flash-in-the-pan sentiment. For all that he’d had his head turned by the idea of love at first sight, it wasn’t real. And soul mates (if such a thing could ever exist) weren’t forged in a few hours. Such a connection was built over months, years, and decades. It required forgiveness and sacrifice.
Love was not a shallow flirtation and a few stolen kisses.
But then again, David wouldn’t mind stealing a few more moments in the garden with Katherine. Heart ablaze, he allowed his gaze to drift along the line of her shoulders, following up the sweep of her neck and the curve of her cheek. Perhaps he could sneak her out there later.
A chuckle from his side jerked David’s attention to Mr. Kitts, who gave him a knowing smile before turning his attention to his wife.
“I hate to interrupt, but I fear we must be on our way,” said Mr. Kitts, stepping forward to offer his arm to his wife.
Mrs. Kitts sighed and moved to his side. “I do apologize, Katherine, but I fear we just got word that little Freddy is feeling poorly—”
“Nothing serious, I hope,” said Katherine, taking David’s arm in a tight grip.
Shaking her head, she sighed. “He won’t rest easy while we are gone, and he’s bound to get worse if he sleeps poorly tonight. But…”
The mother glanced between her friend and husband, but before Mrs. Kitts could talk herself into feeling more guilty about her choice, Katherine shook her head.
“Don’t be silly. I will come by for a visit tomorrow, and we can catch up then. This will keep.”
Mrs. Kitts’ brow furrowed. “If you are certain—”
“Of course,” she said, ushering them towards the door.
“Only if you promise to bringyourMr. Archer with you.” Mrs. Kitts gave him a wicked grin as her husband led her down the corridor. “Then we can celebrate properly, and you can tell me everything.”
“Everything?” asked David, straightening as he glanced between the ladies.
Mr. Kitts laughed and called over his shoulder at them, “You should know there are no secrets between them. Pamela will know every sordid detail.”
David raised his brows and glanced at Katherine. “Everything?”
Katherine met his gaze with what was likely meant to be a placating look, but Mr. Kitts laughed once more and said, “Everything.”
Then the pair disappeared from sight, leaving David and Katherine alone once more. Drawing closer, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him, and he pressed a kiss to her head. Though he desired far more than that, it was all he allowed himself at present. The ball raged just behind the doors to their right, and being caught in such a cozy position would be scandalous enough.
David sighed to himself and gathered the last of his gentlemanly resolve, freeing himself from her hold. Sweeping into a bow, he motioned towards the doors.
Katherine grimaced. “Need we? I do not want to face those people again.”
A spark of anger made its way through the contented fog that surrounded him as David recalled just how poorly their first dance had gone this evening. Of course, he was certain Benjamin would be quite pleased to join him on a “visit” to that weasel, Stavely. A little lesson in manners might be just the thing.
Making note of that plan, David turned his attention back to the beauty before him. “But I am very much hoping you will dance with me again.”
Straightening, she met his gaze. “You’ve never danced two sets with me before.”
David’s stomach clenched, his heart sinking at just how true that statement was. With each passing minute, it was clearer and clearer just how much of a fool he’d been. But that was the past, and he couldn’t change it. Thankfully, he could ensure he never repeated the mistake.
“I plan to remedy that immediately,” he said, tucking her arm through his as they turned towards the ballroom. “In fact, I plan on dragging you about the dance floor for the rest of the evening.”
“And scandalize the entire party?” she asked with a wry laugh.
“What does it matter? A husband and wife aren’t allowed to dance together without raising eyebrows, which is absolute rubbish.”
