Page 27 of The Rogue's Christmas Gift

Harrison stood, and Kitty followed, sensing that Lady Wyndam was bringing an end to their meeting.

“Thank you, Lady Wyndam. You are most knowledgeable,” Kitty praised, thankful that the woman was still in Town, and that she had agreed to meet with her.

“When you live as long as I, you learn how to think like a man thinks. No offence Hendershot, but your sex isn’t the brightest after all.” She patted Harrison on his shoulder like he was a small boy and not a grown man.

Kitty couldn’t control her laughter.

“None taken, my lady,” Harrison replied, ever the gentleman.

“Now, Mrs. Delcour, if you find yourself in need of lodgings, Matron Manor, the widows’ headquarters, can be prepared for you.” She leaned on her cane, peering at Kitty with a keen eye. “But I believe you are in excellent hands.”

Momentarily speechless, Kitty did not know what to say about her kindness. When one did not receive such treatment from family, it was hard to accept it from others, but Kitty saw she was no longer alone.

“Thank you, Lady Wyndam. That is most kind of you. If things change, I will consider it,” she said, honestly.

“Good.” She walked toward the door, the soft thump of her cane hitting the carpet. “One more thing, my dear.” She stopped, turning to look from Kitty to Harrison.

“Yes?” Kitty asked, expectantly.

“One way to protect yourself from ever losing your business again is to find yourself a titled husband. An earl perhaps?” She tilted her head toward Harrison, taking the breath away from Kitty.

Dear God, not her too.

Harrison, coughed beside her. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Coward.

He left her alone with the head of the Widows’ League. Kitty appreciated her opinion, but really marriage? She could admit to herself that as of four days ago, she never wanted to leave Harrison’s side, but marry him and give up everything, she couldn’t. That wasn’t her only reason—marrying him meant she would have to eventually tell him about Christopher.

“You want to be with him, don’t you?” Lady Wyndam’s sharp voice interrupted her musings.

“It is not that easy. Society would never accept me as his countess?—”

She sucked her teeth, a very un-lady like gesture. “Society can go to the devil. You two have feelings for each other, and you are staying at his home, are you not?” Lady Wyndam tilted her head, waiting patiently for Kitty to answer.

“Yes, but there are other reasons that I can’t marry him,” the words caught in her throat, wetness clouding her eyes.

Lady Wyndam placed a wrinkled hand over Kitty’s. “My dear, take advice from an old woman. If a man looked at me the way Hendershot looks at you, I’d marry him in a heartbeat, and to hell with everything else.” She lifted her cane slightly in the air.

Kitty couldn’t help but to admire the older woman. It seemed like she wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone, something that Kitty tried, but deep down she was afraid of everything.

Shaking her head, “I wish it was that easy.”

“It is that easy if it’s love. All you have to do is be brave enough to take it.” She pointed her free hand at Kitty. “You don’t get many chances at happiness, Mrs. Delcour.” She leaned on her cane, her eyes blazing with fire. “What will you do with yours?”

She tapped the floor two times with her cane before she turned and walked out of the room.

Kitty stood for a moment, unable to breathe, to think, to do anything at all.

CHAPTER 10

As the carriage pulled away from Lady Wyndam’s, Harrison relaxed against the crisp leather seat, his hand secured around Kat’s waist. The thick wool of her cape rubbed against his fingertips as the they bounced through the snow-covered streets of Mayfair.

There was a small part of Harrison that was saddened by Lady Wyndam’s advice because he knew once the will was retrieved, he would lose Kat again. Maybe this time it would be forever.

Harrison wanted to fall to his knees and beg her to stay by his side. He didn’t give a damn about anything but her. The past four days had only confirmed what he’d known in his heart since he was a boy—that they were meant to be together for as long as she would have him.

He wanted to inquire about Lady Wyndam’s comment, but Harrison could only torture himself so much. He didn’t want Kat to marry him because she needed a titled husband, he wanted her to marry him because she loved him. As he loved her—unconditionally.