LITMIR.BIZ

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‘You were attacked. He saved you. Of course, it was right and proper in those circumstances to behave in the manner you did. I will make the appropriate people know how proud we are of you. It should stop the worst of the gossip.’

      ‘You have indeed.’ Hattie crossed her arms. She clearly recalled the enlightening conversation she’d had with Portia and Livvy on the way to the fair. Stephanie’s meddling and interference stopped now. ‘You rushed in without waiting for an explanation, Stephanie. However, if I had decided to utterly ruin myself, that would have been my business.’

      ‘You won’t be ruined. I will force him to marry you if needs be,’ Stephanie declared. ‘You can count on me.’

      ‘How?’

      ‘I will think of something.’ Stephanie’s ribbons swayed as her face took on a defiant air. ‘I’m not a woman without influence. Mr Parteger will ensure the right and proper thing is done.’

      ‘You mean a duel.’

      ‘If called upon, my husband will be happy to defend your honour.’ Stephanie put her hand to her mouth. ‘But I doubt it will come to that. Sir Christopher will see the sense in my argument.’

      Hattie shuddered at even the merest suggestion of a duel between Kit and her brother-in-law. In her mind’s eyes she could see her brother-in-law’s rather rotund figure lining up to face Kit’s rather more athletic form. She was torn between laughing and crying at the prospect. She leant down and stroked Moth’s ears, regaining some semblance of control.

      ‘I would hardly want Mr Parteger fighting a duel over my reputation. Besides, it is utterly pointless and unnecessary. Nothing happened. How could it? Sir Christopher was insensible most of the time. You worry needlessly. Mrs Hampstead is here and you know what an ogress she can be. I remember when you were courting. You used to complain bitterly about Mrs Hampstead poking her nose into the drawing room.’

      Stephanie readjusted the ribbons of her bonnet and gave a pained expression. ‘Are you willing to give me an assurance that nothing untoward happened last night?’

      ‘When have I ever done anything that was in the remotest way indiscreet?’ Hattie sat back in her chair and waited, swallowing her other caustic retorts. Patience was required with Stephanie, not barbs.

      ‘You have changed your hair. It is softer. Suits your face.’

      ‘I thought I’d worn a crown of braids long enough. I like the ringlets.’ Hattie tilted her head and regarded her sister through narrowed eyes. Stephanie had to be redirected before she started asking awkward questions. ‘You are changing the subject, Stephanie. It generally means you are losing the argument.’

      ‘You always look for the ulterior motive. I noticed it and I like it. I can also guess the reason.’ Stephanie reached over and squeezed Hattie’s hand. ‘I’m your sister. I care about you, but you need to be careful. Sir Christopher has a much different stamp than your dear, but now long-departed, Captain Wilkinson. You were always too reckless, Hattie, even as a girl. I can’t help fearing for your reputation. I want to make it right for you.’

      Stephanie was worried about her. She was tempted to tell her that Sir Christopher was a man of entirely different sensibility than Charles, but it would leave her open to questioning and, having faced one storm last night, she knew she couldn’t face another. And she had to wonder how much Stephanie knew or guessed. Her husband had been a friend of sorts to Charles.

      ‘Mrs Wilkinson was merely doing her Christian duty,’ Kit’s lazy voice said from the doorway before Hattie could think up a coherent answer. ‘Surely no one would stoop so low as to accuse a woman who is doing her Christian duty of untoward behaviour?’

      Stephanie gave a little panicked cry and ducked her head. Hattie saw him, standing in the doorway, dressed in his clothes with an intricately tied neckcloth. He carried his body stiffly as if badly bruised. Her heart gave a little skip and she was pleased that she’d changed into her dimity with the tiny blue flowers embroidered on it. Portia always declared that it was her favourite dress as it made Hattie look sparkly.

      From Kit’s grim expression as he bent down to greet Moth, she had to wonder how long he’d been standing there and how much he’d heard.

      Stephanie cleared her throat several times, obviously having the same concerns as Hattie. Hattie fought the temptation to laugh.

      ‘Sir Christopher, you are up … That is to say—this is a most unexpected development. But welcome. A welcome development. Dear Hattie is such a good nurse. Quite devoted to it.’

      ‘Then you will agree I was in good hands.’

      ‘Very good hands.’ Stephanie turned several deeper shades of plum. ‘You are dressed, Sir Christopher.’

      ‘He could hardly come down in a borrowed nightshirt,’ Hattie said crossly. Stephanie had no right to be quizzing Kit in this manner. And Kit had no right to be up. Her carefully arranged plans of going up to see him after breakfast when she looked fresh and lovely were in smithereens. ‘Really, Stephanie, you do spout some nonsense.’

      ‘My valet arrived very early this morning with my clothes. I believe the ride over from Southview did him good. Cleared his thick head. He spent rather too much time in the ale tent yesterday.’ His smile failed to reach his eyes. ‘He wished to make amends and brought fresh clothes.’

      ‘You are able to move about?’ Stephanie gasped.

      ‘The doctor advised strict bed rest.’ Hattie put her hand on her stomach and wished she hadn’t eaten that square of toast. Kit was dressed as if he was preparing to depart. Did he regret their late-night conversation? Had she dreamt it?

      ‘I don’t care a fig for the doctor’s advice.’ His deep-grey gaze met hers. ‘I do, however, care about your reputation. I came to the same conclusion as Mrs Parteger. It is commendable but unwise to have me as a guest when Johnson is more than capable of looking after me.’

      ‘And your plans?’ Hattie tapped a finger on the table top. Everyone had neglected to consult her. Surely, at twenty-seven, she was more than capable of making the correct choices?

      ‘I shall journey slowly and sedately back to the Lodge in my carriage.’ He gave a crooked smile. ‘You may direct all well-wishers there, but you must under pain of death retain any strengthening concoctions such as calves’-foot jelly. The very thought turns my stomach.’

      ‘Allow me to be concerned about my reputation,’ Hattie said between gritted teeth.

      ‘Nevertheless, my mind is made up. Johnson should be returning with the carriage within the hour.’ He inclined his head. ‘I do hope there is some chocolate. I would hate to leave without partaking of breakfast. I trust that meets with your approval, Mrs Parteger?’

      Without waiting for an invitation, he came in and took a seat opposite Hattie. She carefully poured him a cup of chocolate. He took it, but made sure their fingers briefly touched.

      ‘Did you pass a comfortable night?’ Stephanie asked.

      ‘Mrs Parteger, the doctor gave me laudanum to make me sleep. I remember little, except I woke completely refreshed and a new man. One might say that the fight did a powerful amount of good.’ He saluted Hattie with his cup of chocolate. ‘Improved my mood no end.’

      Hattie took a hasty sip of her coffee and burnt the roof of her mouth. He couldn’t have forgotten their kiss? She had made a positive declaration and now he’d forgotten it. How like her luck. She tried to think about how to best approach the matter, but her brain seemed to move at the speed of congealed porridge.

      Voices were heard in the hall and Moth gave a series of sharp barks before racing to the dining-room door and then back to Hattie.

      Kit put down his cup. ‘Ah, here is Johnson, and Rupert as well. Their timing is impeccable. My stay was short, but most enjoyable, Mrs Wilkinson. Mrs Parteger, you will understand that I wish to get home as soon as possible. I do hope you will be at pains to point

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