Page 26 of The Lady’s Great Escape

“Yes, well. Things have a tendency to change when you least expect it. But just to be safe, would you mind going to get a draught in case I’m coming down with the same head cold Gray experienced last week?”

“Oh, of course. You should get some rest.”

“Yes. I’ll rest. Alone.” Why had she added that? Of course, she would be alone. “Thank you.”

As soon as her maid left, Celia flopped on her bed and squeezed her eyes closed. She wasn’t sure what to do.

But she did wonder what good would come of speaking about it. Kit had made his feelings clear many years ago when she’d begged him to marry her and he’d refused. Besides, she had her own plans for a happy future. One that involved many nights like the one she’d had with Kit, but with other adventurous men.

Yes. She would move forward with her original plan, and she and Kit would simply go back to being friends.

She’d make sure of it.

*

“You don’t thinkshe could be with child, do you?” Graham said, taking his seat again. Kit’s response was to spit his coffee, catching the table and part of his sleeve.

“W-What?” he sputtered.

“Celia. She’s been acting strange the past few days. I even caught her humming a jaunty tune yesterday. Why is she so happy all of a sudden? Unless she has been carrying on with a man.” He frowned. “This sudden illness in the morning… You know what kind of illness women experience in the mornings.”

In truth, he hadn’t been up on such matters. Not being around any other women regularly other than Celia who was most definitely not enceinte.

She’d been a virgin just a few days ago and he’d worn a sheath. Even if his protection had failed, they wouldn’t know of any complications as of yet.

Kit glanced over his shoulder at the door where Celia had fled, but Gray thumped his fist on the table.

“If some blighter has compromised my sister, I’ll have him in Hyde Park at dawn. You’ll be my second,” Gray continued.

Kit coughed. It would be difficult to be Gray’s second while at the same time being his opponent. Not that it would ever come to that. At least he didn’t think so.

He had no plans to tell Gray what had happened between Celia and himself. Surely Celia wouldn’t speak of the matter with her brother. Still…

“I would remind you of our vow never to dual,” Kit pointed out.

“We vowed never to dual with each other.”

“Right. But, why would you automatically jump to the conclusion that a pregnancy would be a bad thing?”

“I guess you’re right. So long as the man stands up and offers for her quickly.”

Now Kit’s stomach was unsettled as well. The thought of having to marry her because he’d…

Warmth washed over him as he realized the position he was in. All his youth was spent hoping he’d not get caught in a compromising position and forced into marriage. But now getting married was his goal. And if he could have Celia…

If she was carrying his child? His heart pounded at the thought and he knew well it wasn’t from fear but rather excitement. Except, he wouldn’t want her to accept him because she was trapped. She hadn’t wanted him years ago. What had changed just because they’d spent the night together? The most incredible night of his life. He’d thought as much before he knew Selene was Celia. Now he understood why he’d felt such a strong connection to her that night.

If she married him…

“She could get married and have a happy life with the right man.” Was he the right man? “I’m sure everything will be fine,” he added though he didn’t know how she felt about this. He needed to speak to her.

“Oh, God.” Gray dropped his fork. “What if it’s something else? Something serious? She’s all the family I have left. While I wasn’t sorry to see my father go, I’d miss Celia immensely.”

“As would I. I remember what it was like when she was married. Breakfasts weren’t the same without her.” Nothing had been the same without her. He’d wanted her and she’d rejected him. She’d chosen money over him. Gray had nearly killed him when he’d returned to explain that Celia had refused his offer of marriage in order to go forward with her marriage to Hamlin. There was only one reason a woman would choose a man of that age as her husband. Money.

Hamlin’s wealth had won out over Kit’s heart.

In the past four years, he’d come to realize she’d made the only choice that offered security at the time. But it still stung when he remembered how hurt he’d been.