LITMIR.BIZ

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am your older sister.’

      ‘Mrs Reynaud is his mother. They are no longer estranged.’ Hattie clasped her hands together to stop them from trembling. Stephanie had to understand why she had refused the proposal. She was not some desperate young miss grateful for the smallest crumb to fall from his table. ‘You should have heard the proposal—all about how he didn’t want this and how he was breaking all his rules. It was ungracious. He expected me to refuse. It certainly deserved a refusal.’

      Stephanie sat in silence. ‘And where is Sir Christopher now?’ she asked finally. ‘I would like to speak to him.’

      ‘Do not interfere, Stephanie. Allow me to run my life for once. I am a grown up and fully capable of doing so.’

      Stephanie opened and closed her mouth several times. ‘If that is what you desire, Hattie. I wash my hands of you. I will not interfere again, even if you go on bended knee to me.’

      ‘I suppose Mr Hook will go to London,’ Hattie said, trying to change the subject. ‘Now that he has given his lecture, do you think he is suitable?’

      ‘Livvy needs a successful Season before she thinks about marriage.’ Stephanie shook her head. ‘I fear Mr Hook is not for her. Did you hear what he said in his lecture? Poor Mr Parteger was beside himself with rage.’

      ‘I thought it was laughter,’ Hattie said, remembering the snort. ‘Livvy will have to choose her husband carefully.’

      ‘No, Livvy will marry who I tell her to. Honestly, I don’t know what possesses that child these days. She keeps going outside to think. Portia says that she goes to the cedar of Lebanon and sits.’

      ‘Do you want me to have a word with her … now that you are satisfied that I remain respectable in society’s eyes?’ Hattie asked. ‘Put it in terms she might understand? Remember how you chafed when our parents forbade you meeting Mr Parteger?’

      ‘I suppose a refused marriage offer is better than nothing.’ Stephanie gave a loud sniff. ‘As long as I have your word that nothing untoward like this will ever happen again, you may speak to Livvy and see if you can reason some sense into her.’

      ‘I am through with romance and all other affairs.’

      ‘Good to hear.’ Stephanie fluffed out her skirts. ‘Then we can discuss more interesting matters such as what will Livvy wear for her Season which now won’t be ruined.’

      Hattie’s head throbbed so much by the time she left Stephanie’s that she decided to walk straight home, rather than seeking out Livvy.

      Later after the baby was born, Hattie decided that she would go abroad. Livvy could go with her. Between the excitement of a Season and going abroad, Mr Hook’s charms didn’t stand a chance. Hattie tucked her head down and started to increase her pace. She had a trip to plan.

      ‘You need to watch where you are going, Harriet. You nearly walked straight past me without saying hello. Hopefully we are not that far out of civility.’

      Hattie stumbled. Strong hands caught her. Instantly a pulse of heat coursed through her. Kit here and dressed in his day clothes with tan breeches and high-topped boots.

      Her body wanted to melt against him. She kept herself perfectly rigid.

      She stepped away from temptation. Kit might not have left, but things were finished between them. It bothered her that her headache melted away under the heat of his gaze.

      ‘I thought you’d be well on your way to London,’ she said around the sudden tightness in her throat.

      ‘I told you that I was staying here, so why is it that you are so insistent on sending me to London?’ Kit’s mouth quirked upwards. ‘One would almost consider that you wanted to be rid of me.’

      Hattie clasped her hands together as the warmth of his voice flowed over her. This time, she’d be strong. She’d resist the lure of his voice.

      ‘We have nothing more to say to each other.’

      He inclined his head. ‘And here I thought you were more neighbourly than that. We are close neighbours after all.’

      Hattie regarded him suspiciously. Neighbourly? Was he really staying? ‘You were serious before and intend on living in Northumberland? What about your urgent business in London?’

      He snapped his fingers, dismissing the notion. ‘My mother is unable to travel. She enjoys the neighbourhood. Then there is the Lodge, which needs fixing. Pressing matters. The business can wait.’

      ‘Then I shall have to get used to seeing you at various functions.’ She tilted her head upwards so that her bonnet shielded her eyes.

      ‘I’ve no plans to be a hermit.’

      ‘The entertainment around here is a bit more tame than you are used to.’

      ‘I have found it adequate thus far.’ He touched his hand to his hat. ‘I trust it will continue.’

      ‘Why are you out this way? And on foot?’

      His body stilled. ‘Rupert is about to meet Livvy in the woods. I came across a note from her this morning.’

      Hattie’s mouth dropped opened. She should have expected it. Livvy was headstrong, but she also was young. ‘How long has this been going on?’

      Kit carefully shrugged. His fingers itched to straighten Hattie’s bonnet. He hadn’t anticipated coming on her like this. Alone. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her soundly, but he’d made a mess of things yesterday. Today was about proving that he was worthy. Discovering the note had been an answer to his prayers. It was his one chance to show to her that he cared about her and her family.

      ‘I was occupied with other things and failed to pay attention. They have been communicating by leaving notes for each other in the circulating library,’ he said and watched her cheeks colour. ‘These clandestine liaisons need to stop.’

      ‘As I have discovered, clandestine does little good to anyone.’

      ‘Has something happened?’ Kit asked, every nerve on alert. She had to want him, rather than being forced into the marriage. He knew that now.

      ‘Mrs Hampstead complained to Stephanie, but I explained your proposal and my reasons for refusal.’ Her lips turned up in a mocking smile. ‘All is well.’

      Kit frowned. All was not well. Hattie was being utterly stubborn. She refused to hear what he had tried to say. He simply had to figure out another way. And the first piece was discovering what Rupert and Livvy were up to.

      ‘In the note I saw, Livvy asked Rupert to meet her in the usual place. Do you have any idea where the usual place will be?’

      Hattie frowned. ‘What are you going to do?’

      ‘Find out what is going on. The last thing I want to do is to panic them into taking drastic action.’

      Harriet paled and he saw that she understood precisely what might be at stake. ‘My sister and brother-in-law wish Livvy to marry a title. Mr Hook seems like a perfectly acceptable man, but Stephanie is immovable on this.’

      ‘So Rupert informed me.’ Kit stroked his chin. ‘He might inherit a title if his great-uncle dies without an heir, but he has just married a young woman. He feels it wrong to make mention of something that might not happen.’

      Harriet nodded. ‘I understand the difficulty, but it might do for my brother-in-law. What is your solution?’

      ‘A long engagement and Livvy doing a Season before the marriage,’ Kit said, watching her like a hawk. He had to hope that she understood why he wanted to do this.

      Harriet clapped her hands. ‘Pure genius. It might work. I’m impressed.’

      ‘I can be impressive, given the opportunity,’ Kit said, making his voice become silk. ‘The alternative is a quick elopement. Rupert appears very determined.

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