by Beth Elliott
It reminded her of something she had to say to him. ‘I wanted to thank you,’ she mumbled into his coat front, ‘for saving my life. Martha told me how you—’
He dropped his arms. ‘Please do not thank me,’ he interrupted, in a deep growl. ‘Can you imagine how it felt to see you in the hands of that villain, to see you act so bravely and so foolishly. Oh Kitty!’
She took a step back. The potted palm was right behind her. She put an unsteady hand out to lean on it. Theo made as if to come close, but Kitty held up her other hand. He stilled, his eyes searching her face.
‘Kitty—’
‘Please,’ she breathed, ‘do not make this any harder than it already is.’ Resolutely, she drew in a deep breath and raised her head to look directly at him. ‘Just hear me out. You warned me about going into the Rookery. I was headstrong and I paid the price. And I bitterly regret bringing Mr Thatcham’s mission so close to ruin. As for my injury’ – she put up her good hand to rub the poor shoulder and blushed a little as she went on – ‘it was your prompt actions that saved me from bleeding to death. I shall always be grateful to you. And you nursed me when you did not really have the time to stay.’
He was watching her with a twisted smile on his lips.
She cleared her throat and went on, ‘So – so now I want to wish you every happiness in your future – life.’ The last word came out in a whisper. She just could not say the word marriage. A tear slipped down her cheek and she turned her head away hastily.
Theo bent his head to study her face. His eyebrows met in a puzzled frown. Kitty stole a sideways glance at him from under her lashes. She wanted to imprint his features on her mind before she left him. She was finding it a torment to be in the same room, knowing that soon he was going to marry Letitia Payne, of all people.
She put up a hand to stifle the sob that would come out. The next instant, Theo’s arms slipped round her. Struggle as she would, she could not break free. He turned her gently towards him. ‘What is going on here?’ he asked, coaxing her face against his shoulder. ‘Hey, there is no reason to be so upset.’
Kitty felt him press his handkerchief into her hand. She choked back her tears angrily. How could she make such a fool of herself? The trouble was, his voice and his actions told her he cared about her. That must be why he wanted to see her one last time as well. She gulped, sniffed back the tears and raised her head.
‘I am sorry,’ she said in a decidedly husky voice. ‘It must be because I am still not quite well.’ She edged back. Please just forget it. And now, sir, I will bid you farewell—’
‘Oh no! Not after all the work I have had to get to see you. I must speak to you. Kitty, wait!’ he exclaimed, as she continued to back away from him, shaking her head.
‘You stubborn little—’ He strode past her and held out both arms to block the way.
‘Please, sir, let me pass.’ She did not look up at his face. Those blue eyes would overcome her resolution.
Theo gave a strangled exclamation. ‘If this is your idea of being independent.’
At that, she did glance up. He was looking furious now. How could he be so domineering? It seemed that they were going to finish on another quarrel! Her heart was thumping uncomfortably. She swallowed hard and gave him a stern look. ‘You know there is no other way. Not when you are going to be married to Miss Payne.’
Theo froze. His dark brows snapped down. ‘Who told you that?’
‘Well, you told Martha you would soon be married and – and I knew how much Lady Payne was trying to.…’ She faltered to a stop.
Theo was grinning, his shoulders shaking. ‘So that is why you are evading me. Miss Towers, I fear you have been listening to gossip again.’
Kitty stood rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed painfully on his. There was a lump in her chest that made it almost impossible to breathe.
Theo’s gaze changed, became more intense. ‘I thought’ – he took a step towards her – ‘that if we met in the conservatory’ – his arms went round her and she was unable to resist – ‘it would remind you of what you and I do in conservatories.’ His hand feathered along her neck and gently tilted her chin up. He bent his head down towards her face. ‘And I am afraid,’ he murmured, ‘that I cannot wait any longer to do it again.’
The next moment his lips met hers. Kitty surrendered to the growing passion in his kiss. Her good arm slid up around Theo’s neck. The other hand clutched at his jacket. Theo gave a little groan of pleasure. He dug a hand into her hair, urging her closer still. When he finally broke the kiss, Kitty blinked at him, dazed and panting. Her legs were trembling and she clung to him for support. He kept one arm firmly round her waist, with the other hand he traced her lips. Asatisfied smile came over his face.
Slowly, realization dawned. Kitty gave a horrified exclamation. ‘But your bride…!’ She scrambled back, out of his embrace.
Theo raised his dark brows. The dimple showed in his cheek. His blue eyes glinted at her. ‘Just listen to me, Kitty, please. When I first met you – in that stable in the snow, I was running away from my father and his plan to marry me to Miss Payne. Yes, I know I was rude and surly. I was still furious at his plotting and I was feeling wary of all females.’ He moved closer and this time, she stayed put. He reached out and grasped her hands. ‘but I still noticed that you were pretty – and spirited.’ He slipped an arm round her shoulders again. ‘I even told Nimrod – and he agreed with me.’
At this Kitty gave a gurgle of laughter. Theo cut it short with a swift kiss. He gave her one of his considering looks. ‘So can you feel easy at receiving my advances now?’
Kitty shook her head.
His expression became more serious but his eyes still sparkled at her. ‘Why not?’ His voice was a low rumble and sent a tremor down her spine.
She retreated a couple of steps. ‘Because society has decided I am compromised. There is no way I will give in to such pressure.’
Theo slanted her a look. ‘You really must stop listening to gossip. How am I to be saved from Miss Payne’s ambitions if you abandon me now?’
Kitty could not help laughing. Her heart seemed to swell with happiness. All the pain and loneliness of the last weeks melted away. She took a step towards Theo and caught her breath at the tenderness in his expression. He opened his arms to her and this time, she stepped into them.
He breathed in deeply. ‘Mmm, roses.’ He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘I love your curls,’ he murmured, ‘In fact, I love everything about you. You are a darling. I can think of nothing else but you. Marry me, Kitty, please.’
‘You are not going to object to my work for the poor?’
His arms tightened around her. ‘No indeed, how should I? But no more going into the Rookery. There are plenty of other ways to help. You have not yet seen my hospice.’
‘Well, with that inducement.…’ She laughed at him and reached up her hand to stroke his lean cheek. ‘Theo, I love you so much it hurts. I have been so unhappy. And now – I feel wonderful.’
There was a tinge of colour along Theo’s cheekbones. ‘I shall endeavour to make you feel even more wonderful very soon. But now, I think we had better go and put our friends out of their suspense.’
Kitty clutched his lapels. ‘Yes, in a minute, but while we are here – in a conservatory – do you think we could have one more kiss?’
Copyright
© Beth Elliott 2008
First published in Great Britain2008
This edition 2012
ISBN 978 0 7090 9951 2 (epub)
ISBN 978 0 7090 9952 9 (mobi)
ISBN 978 0 7090 9953 6 (pdf)
ISBN 978 0 7090 8524 9 (print)
Robert Hale Limited
Clerkenwell House
Clerkenwell Green
London EC1R 0HT
www.halebooks.com
The right of Beth Elliott to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988
