“It was to be a moment. Katherine, you shouted out at me that you didn’t love me. You took back our Cossack vows. How is that my fault?”
“I yelled it, and I’m not free. You’re still in my life.”
“Then leave me Scarlett and Lydia. And go live your life alone. Take Wilcox Coal and make it a success or run it into the ground. Do all the things you wanted to do if you hadn’t the responsibility of younger siblings or a foolish lover. I remember your complaints, how you feared the responsibilities thrust on you too soon.”
“That’s not fair.” She balled her fists, looking gloriously mad. “I’ll not shirk my responsibilities.”
“No one, least of all me, will ever hold you back from what you want.” He waved his hand at her, pointing her toward the way out the maze.
“You’re dismissing me like I’m a servant?” She came very close to him, breathing hard, smelling of roses, letting him count the gold flecks in her dark eyes. “Why are we fighting for custody of people you have no claim upon?”
“Open your eyes, Katherine. I’ve staked a claim. I made a promise to Tavis to take care of all of you. Now I’ve made promises to each of the girls. I’ll never abandon them, which means I can never abandon you.”
He’d blame the roses or the way she stood up to him for drawing him closer, like a fly to a spider’s web.
How could she still drive him wild and not know the torment he endured not kissing her, not hearing her say she still loved him as he loved her?
Knowing Tavis lied about Jahleel, that he confused her, kept Jahleel going and hoping for the day she wouldn’t keep slicing his heart with her frowns.
Yet, here he was clinging to her thorns hoping for nectar.
Stiffness set in, his limbs ached. He flexed his hands for relief. He’d need to sit, to rest before she saw how weak he was.
“I guess it’s my fault, as always. Or maybe it’s no one’s that we’re here and you hate me. Does the past consume you so much that you aren’t willing to let me help your sisters?”
“Jahleel—”
“You forced a man who gave up betting into this gamble. Finish the wager, Katherine.”
Her breath came in spurts as fury lit her face.
He held up his hands. “You have a whole year to try to repay me. See, I’m generous. But you and Scarlett and Lydia will continue to visit. I’ll get Scarlett prepared for society. Perhaps she’ll be presented at court. Our wager is still on. Or forfeit and just marry me.”
She balled her fists and hissed, “You’re impossible.”
“Marry me now. I’ll have two licenses in the morning. And we can walk back into the ball and declare in public that we are man and wife again.”
He touched her warm apple cheek. “You can decide when you wish to visit my suite. The one I had prepared for you is presently occupied.”
“You’re still plotting. You think I will surrender.”
“Yes, sweet dorogaya. My lovely sweetheart.”
Katherine didn’t pull away, but she did take his cold hand and shake it. “Good. I have a year to repay you. Then, one way or another, I’ll be free. I will leave you this time, and it will be forever.”
She picked up her skirts and withdrew, walking back toward the house.
“Good night, Lady Hampton. When you check on Lydia, kiss her brow for me. I love her so.”
The fiery woman stumbled. Then she straightened. “Good night, Your Grace.”
Jahleel let her go. Katherine Wilcox Palmers had her own secrets, and he was more determined than ever to discover them. A year was enough time to find them all.
* * *
With his hand feeling more numb, Jahleel went to his study. He passed Mr. Steele, who’d begun to have his team of servants pick up the glasses and litter his party, with the guests numbering three hundred, give or take a prostitute, had created.
“Will Anya House live, Mr. Steele?”
