LITMIR.BIZ

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of yours?’

      He tilted his head. ‘You’re not?’

      ‘I am busily wondering what sort of game you are playing. You’ve suffered some minor inconveniences and now expect the world to bow down in gratitude.’

      ‘I’m not playing any game. Your words reached me deep inside.’ He thumped his fist against his chest. ‘You made me realise the sort of man I wanted to be. Last night, I wandered the fells, unable to rest. I thought a lot about how my life was going and what I wanted from it. I most definitely didn’t want my mother to die without me having taken the opportunity to meet her properly. I intend to do that. I am staying.’

      ‘Good.’ Hattie crossed her arms. What did he want—a medal for doing the right thing? ‘I am sure your mother will be pleased to have you here.’

      ‘Harriet, I’m staying. I want things to continue between us.’ He put his hands on her shoulders.

      Her heart thudded. He called her Harriet again.

      ‘Are you seriously suggesting that everything is forgotten? That we go back to what we had before?’ Hattie crossed her arms. ‘Summer is over, Sir Christopher.’

      Kit watched her much as a cat watched a mouse. ‘And your objection is?’

      ‘What we had was destroyed. I have no wish to go back to that.’

      ‘What do you want from me, Harriet?’ His voice was soft and insistent. ‘Tell me and it shall be yours. I’ll even marry you if it will make you happy.’

      Hattie knew if he touched her again, she’d melt. And nothing would be solved. Kit might only want a physical relationship, but she wanted more. She deserved more.

      ‘I don’t want anything from you, Sir Christopher.’

      She hugged her arms about her waist. ‘I explained why we must part. My reasoning has not changed. We agreed the rules when our affair began.’

      ‘Rules are made to be broken.’

      ‘Really?’ She lifted an eyebrow. ‘Rules should be broken only when it suits you. I don’t live that way.’

      Kit visibly winced.

      ‘I was an ass. It was wrong of me. I know what is important.’ He held out his hand. ‘I didn’t want to feel like this, Hattie. I fought against it, but it happened. I have accepted that now and stopped fighting. I want to do the right thing with your help.’

      He didn’t want it to happen. He accepted it. Hattie rolled her eyes. She was supposed to think this was an apology? Or, worse still, some sort of lily-livered offer? ‘Fight harder and you will get over it. I promise.’

      ‘What if I tell you that I am prepared to stay in Northumberland? For as long as you like?’

      ‘And I am supposed to believe you? Just like that? The great Sir Christopher shows up at my house, gives a highly reluctant marriage proposal and I fall into his arms? Is that the way it works?’

      A wicked glint appeared in his eyes. ‘It sounds like a good scenario to me.’

      ‘If that is all you wish to discuss, I shall bid you good day. You must leave, Sir Christopher. We have nothing further to say to each other. Ever.’

Chapter Fourteen

      ‘What is going on here?’ Kit asked when he arrived back at the Lodge and saw a stand off between Rupert and Johnson. Rupert physically blocked the door to his bedroom while Johnson glowered at him. Kit controlled his temper. The last thing he wanted to do was to have to deal with Rupert and Johnson. All he wanted was his bed and sleep. After he rested, he knew he’d come up with a viable plan to win Harriet.

      ‘A slight misunderstanding, sir,’ Johnson said. ‘Mr Hook wishes to prevent me packing your things.’

      ‘Returning to London would be a mistake, Kit. I beg you to reconsider.’

      ‘Sir Christopher never reconsiders, Mr Hook. I have explained this to you several times,’ Johnson said with a long-suffering sigh. ‘I know my gentleman, begging your pardon. You should allow me to do my duty.’

      ‘Unpack the bags, Johnson. I want the rose bedroom made ready as well.’ Kit looked hard at his manservant. ‘We are staying … for the foreseeable future.’

      Both men’s jaws dropped open. Johnson recovered himself first.

      ‘Very good, sir. The rose bedroom will be made ready.’ Johnson bustled off, shaking his head.

      Kit fought hard not to laugh. He had never seen his manservant as flummoxed before. Seeing Johnson shaken out of his usual reserve was the sole moment of merriment he’d been able to derive from the catastrophe.

      ‘We are not going to London?’ Rupert squeaked.

      ‘Are you deaf, Rupert? To repeat myself—we are staying.’

      ‘Truly?’ Rupert’s voice cracked. ‘We are staying. Here in Northumberland? I’m about to start believing in miracles.’

      Kit raised an eyebrow. Miracles? Right now he needed one, but he would not allow himself to lose hope. He intended to prove to Harriet that he was worthy and worth taking a risk on.

      ‘I simply saw the error of my ways,’ Kit said in a tone that allowed for no further questions. ‘I regret that I haven’t been able to speak to you about the lecture before now. Perhaps going on about the mating habits of the newt while staring directly at Miss Parteger was not the best strategy. There was rather a shocked ripple which ran through the crowd. Next time, think about your audience’s sensibilities.’

      Rupert had the grace to flush. ‘I adore her. The words came tumbling out.’ He pressed his hand to his heart. ‘Kit, do you think I have a chance? Her parents want a title and I have none.’

      Kit pursed his lips. Once he would have told Rupert to forget Miss Parteger and move on, but now knowing Harriet, he knew that moving on was the wrong tack. There were times in a man’s life when he had to dig in and fight.

      ‘You are determined on this course?’

      Rupert gave a slow nod.

      ‘Titles are not everything, Rupert. It is more important that you two get on. Sometimes you have to hope.’

      ‘Without a title I am nowhere.’

      ‘Your great-uncle might die without an heir. You’d have a title then.’

      Rupert looked dubious. ‘He has just married a woman young enough to be my sister.’

      ‘It remains a distant possibility, I grant you, but it might get you a hearing.’

      ‘How will I convince her father and, more importantly, her mother of that? Mr Parteger only found the lecture of passing interest.’

      ‘To a truly determined man, you should see this as an opportunity rather than a door closing in your face.’ Kit repeated the words he’d told himself over and over on the way back to the Lodge.

      ‘She is an angel, Kit. I swear. Every man jack will be after her when she has her Season.’

      ‘Then you shall go to London when she goes, but for now, you can remain here.’ Kit gritted his teeth. London right now held no attraction. He had to hope that Harriet would see sense before he had to take Rupert to London. ‘I promise, Rupert.’

      Rupert nodded, digesting the news. ‘Who is going to use the rose bedroom?’

      Kit noticed the distinct change in subject. A small prickle of concern went through him. What precisely was Rupert planning? ‘My mother.’

      ‘Your mother?’

      ‘Even I have a mother,

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