Color of Deception

by Ruth J. Hartman

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Second thoughts had been plaguing Nathaniel ever since he’d asked Kitty to be his wife. She hadn’t answered. Instead, she’d fallen into a deep sleep. Not that he could blame her for that. The poor girl was understandably exhausted.

  Still, tired as she had been, he couldn’t be sure if she’d heard his proposal before she’d succumbed to sleep. What was he to do? Ask again? Hope she brought it up? If he restated his question and her answer was no, he’d be heartbroken. He wasn’t at all sure he had the confidence in her affirmation to ask a second time. Perhaps she had heard him and didn’t want to hurt his feelings by refusing. Had simply allowed herself to drift off instead.

  But he must know.

  He stopped the carriage in front of the Sullyard’s house. By now, his horses probably knew the way by heart.

  Nathaniel climbed down and walked briskly to the door. He knocked. And waited. Would Kitty be well enough to answer the—

  The door opened, and there she was. The bruise on her jaw was starting to fade from black to purple, but didn’t diminish her beauty in the least. “Nathaniel. I’m so pleased you’re here.”

  “You are?” Did that mean she had heard his declaration after all? Was going to accept his suit? His heart thudded almost painfully at the possibility.

  “Please, come in. Don’t want you standing out in the elements.”

  He chuckled, remembering the first time he’d come. After stepping inside, he waited while she closed the door and came around to face him.

  “Are you well?”

  She glanced down and back up. “With the exception of sore limbs and jaw, yes, I can say I am well. My sisters’ tender ministrations, as well as yours, have done me a world of good.”

  “I’m so glad.” He removed his hat and fidgeted with the brim.

  She reached for it with a smile. When he handed it to her and she turned and shuffled to a nearby table to place the hat there, Nathaniel scrutinized her movements. She was limping a bit.

  That makes two of us. Though thankfully, hers would heal and improve.

  Wish I was so fortunate.

  “Won’t you sit down?” Kitty indicated two chairs by the window, and he took one. He waited while she sat in the other and arranged her skirts before saying more.

  Now what? Should he propose again? Hope she’d heard him and came forth with a positive answer? He glanced at her and grinned, so thankful she was mostly unharmed and safely back at home.

  “What is it?” She touched her fingers to her cheek. “Have I something on my face besides the bruise?”

  He shook his head. “Just happy to have you back.”

  She blushed. “All thanks to you.”

  “No. If you hadn’t left that clever drawing for your sisters to find…” He let the sentence dangle, not wanting to speak of what might have become of her had he and her sisters not found her.

  The color in her cheeks deepened even more.

  He frowned. “What’s amiss? Have I said something?”

  She shrugged. “I…”

  “What is it?”

  “The drawing I left. Of your hand on my…”

  He chuckled. “Yes, clever as your clue was, I must admit to a slight bit of embarrassment when I had to explain it to your sisters.”

  “I’m shocked Lydia hasn’t scolded me for it yet.”

  “Give her time. Perhaps she’s allowing you ample opportunity to rest before she does.”

  An adorable giggle came from her lips. “You’re probably right.”

  Several seconds of silence brought him discomfort. What should he do now? Repeat his question of yesterday?

  Don’t be a coward. You won’t know unless you ask.

  With a nod for self-encouragement, Nathaniel leaned forward on his chair and placed his elbows on his knees. “Kitty…”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve… that is… When last we spoke, I had asked you a question. An important one.”

  She frowned. “You did? What was it?”

  He tugged on his cravat. Why couldn’t he catch his breath? “I… um.”

  “Go on. You may say anything to me. Haven’t you earned the right after rescuing me?”

  Do it now… just say it. “Yes, well…”

  She tilted her head and waited.

  He tugged at his cravat again, wishing it didn’t feel so tight. “I had asked you if you would… um…” He coughed once and cleared his throat. He took a deep breath and let it out. Ask her, you fool. This is your last chance. “I wasn’t certain if you’d heard what I’d said or not…”

  She bit her lip. “Hmm. I’m not sure I recall to what question you’re referring. Would it be too much trouble to ask again?”

  No trouble at all… I just feel as it my heart wants to leap from my throat. “Very well. I had asked… I…” He clutched his hands together and forced himself to meet her eye. “Kitty, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She blinked then slowly rose from her chair.

  And left the room.

  He closed his eyes and groaned. What have I done? She’s so averse to my request she couldn’t even stay in the room. Perhaps I should save us both more embarrassment and leave now before—

  Footsteps tapped from the next room, and Kitty reappeared. She didn’t give him an answer or even acknowledge his proposal.

  “I have something for you.” She held out her hand.

  “P-pardon?” Was she not even going to say anything about what he’d just asked her? It was the most important question a man could ever ask a woman.

  When he didn’t accept whatever it was she had for him, she reached out for his hand, pried open his fingers, and placed a small roll of paper in his palm. He glanced down at it and frowned. Why was she giving him a piece of paper? Perhaps the bump she’d gotten on the head from the kidnappers had addled her brain.

  “Aren’t you going to look at it?” She stared at him with eyebrows raised.

  Nathaniel shrugged, unable to think of anything to say. At that point since she hadn’t answered his question, he knew not what else he could add to the conversation that would have any bearing.

  He carefully grasped the edge of the paper and pulled. It was a drawing done in pencil of Kitty herself. Nathaniel gave a one-sided smile, remembering when he’d wished for her to do a self-portrait and give it to him. “It’s lovely.” You’re lovely.

  “Thank you.” She didn’t say more. Just waited.

  His mind snagged at another memory of when she’d had him study the picture of the horse and had done the same thing. Waited for him to notice something. He held it closer, assuming he would find an S or K. But there was not a letter.

  There were three.

  Hidden within the locks of Kitty’s hair in the picture was a word.

  YES.

  Nathaniel’s breath went out of his chest like a deflated hot air balloon. He slowly lifted his head and stared at her. She was smiling.

  Was that yes to his proposal? Yes that she loved him? Yes that she was glad it was Tuesday?

  Why couldn’t she come out and tell him?

  Doubt reared its ugly head again, reminding him of how she’d seemed enamored of Stratford. Did she have feelings for him still?

  Deciding not to ask about marriage, but hoping against hope she had some feeling for him, he asked, “Does that mean you could possibly care for me too?” He glanced down at his foot and back up. “I’ve always been second best, I—”

  “Not to me. Never to me.”

  “Darling… Is that true? Are you sure you’d want me?”

  “More than anything.”

  “So you’re saying—”

  She caressed his face. “Yes. Yes I will marry you. Yes I’ll love you forever. Because you deserve nothing less.”

  “I feel the same about you.”

  He took her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The contact at first was tentative. Sweet. Like she was unsure how he might feel a
bout it. Was this how she kissed? Nathaniel let out a sigh. But he loved Kitty, so it wouldn’t matter. While it didn’t evoke immediate passion, he could surely grow used to—

  She pulled him closer, shyly running her tongue over her lips, an invitation. He answered her question by opening his lips, letting his tongue explore hers. He ran his hands down her arms, enjoying being so close to her, yet hungry to do more. So much more.

  Love. She’d said the word, and he could scarcely believe it. But the way she clung to him, kissed him, gloried in their kiss… Yes! his heart cried. Yes, this woman truly loves me.

  She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him even nearer. How he’d longed for this, desperate for Kitty to return his feelings. Was he dreaming?

  He pulled away and gazed into her eyes. “Kitty, my darling. I love you. With all my heart. I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

  She placed her hands on either side of his face. “And I love you. From my soul. The day we marry will be the best day of my life.”

  With Kitty, Nathaniel was home. Safe. And that would only be the beginning of their joy to come.

  Epilogue

  Three months later

  Nathaniel stood behind Kitty and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Sorry you married me?”

  “Never.” How could she be sorry when it was her dream come true?

  “But we’re stuck in this awful old cottage until our house is completed.”

  “That matters not. I’m with you. That’s all that’s important.”

  He kissed the back of her neck, causing a shiver to course over her skin. She’d always imagined what it would be like to fully give herself to a man. Making love with her husband was beyond her wildest imagination. Her body and soul came alive when she was in his arms. Nathaniel was hers, and she was the most fortunate woman on earth.

  He placed another light kiss behind her ear. “Have you spoken to your sisters today?”

  “No. Not since two days past.”

  “They are well?”

  She sighed. “Quite well. They’re very happy living with Great-aunt Anne as their guardian. Robert won’t be getting out of Newgate Prison anytime soon. I’m still in shock over the large amount of money he had stashed beneath our shed. If the kidnappers had only known how close they’d been to the treasure they sought.”

  “My body nearly turned to ice when I found out that you’d been taken, my love.”

  “But you deciphered the clue and saved me. That’s why I left a clue I knew you would understand.”

  “I must admit, your sisters were stumped when they saw it.”

  “They’d never been to the racecourse in Epsom, so I knew it wouldn’t do any good to leave them a clue from there. And if the kidnappers had seen the drawing I’d done on the wall when they came back to take me there, I was afraid they might…”

  “Shhh. Let’s not speak of what might have occurred. You’re here now. Safe with me, where you belong. I’m so very sorry it took a near-tragedy for things to improve for you and your family, but I’m pleased you and your sisters are happy and content now.”

  “And I’m pleased that you and Stratford have finally gotten past your differences.”

  He sighed. “As am I.”

  She turned and pressed close to his chest, running her fingers down his neck. “So… what would you like to do for the rest of the morning?”

  He raised one eyebrow. “I can think of a few things.” One side of his mouth rose in a grin. “Do you trust me, Kitty?” He took her hand as he steered her toward the bedroom.

  She laughed. “Always. Do you trust me?”

  “You know I do.”

  “Then I have a secret to share.”

  “Share away, my love.”

  “In a few months, there’s going to be a tiny new Bexley in our home.”

  His opened his mouth and then closed it. “Are… you certain?”

  She nodded.

  With a whoop of joy, he picked her up and carried her to their bedroom.

  The End

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  Lydia Sullyard is not insane. Truly she’s not. To her horror, she’s trapped inside Bedlam Hospital against her will. There’s only one way for her to gain her freedom, but the consequences are unthinkable.

  Stratford Bexley agrees to visit Lydia in Bedlam. But the thought of stepping into London’s cesspool makes him want to change his mind. And what it will take for her to be released would alter Stratford’s life forever.

  Is Lydia’s love strong enough to rescue Stratford from certain ruin, or will he save her life instead?

  When Patience Sullyard finds a mysterious note tied to a pigeon’s leg, her commissioned panorama at a falconry flies the coop. Instead of painting in hues of brown and beige, her focus shifts to saving a troubled stranger. Walter Bexley craves adventure from his boring life. Insinuating himself into Patience’s problem by accompanying her to the falconry might be just the answer. Will the risk they take be worth the exhilaration, or will Patience and Walter discover the threat is too dangerous?

  About the Author

  Bestselling author Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning sweet romantic tales that make you smile, giggle, or laugh out loud. She, her husband, and their three cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats, Maxwell, Roxy, and Remmie, sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's. You know how selfish those little furry creatures can be.

  Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, Jeep driving, farmhouse-dwelling romance writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women and the men who adore them. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her penchant for insisting all of her books have at least one cat in them. Or twelve. But hey, who's counting?

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