Page 9 of The Rogue's Christmas Gift

“Since Aberdeen is yours, I think Winnie should be mine,” he said, forcing himself to relax in his friends company. “How is my godson?”

He couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at his lips at the mention of their son, Reginald. Perhaps he’d received the title of godfather because Aberdeen had been traveling at the time Reginald was born, but it mattered not to Harrison. Whatever, the reason, he had a godson, one who would depend on him and need his guidance.

“He’s at the townhouse with the nanny. We’re leaving for Brown Manor in sennight. Perhaps you and Kitty could join us for Christmas. The four of us can travel back for the Christmas Ball.” Winnie gave him a broad smile.

Harrison avoided eye contact with his friend, too afraid that she would see how absolutely devastated he was.

“I would love to see my godson for Christmas. However, I do not believe I will attend Madame Delcour’s Christmas Ball,” he said rather stiffly, noticing how Richmore was suddenly peering at him in shock.

“Madame Delcour?” his friend asked. “Not Kat, not Kitty. What is the matter with you?” Richmore demanded to know.

“Did something happen between you two?” Winnie asked, placing her hand on Harrison’s arm.

He cleared his throat several times, searching for the words. “The Madame has made it perfectly clear that she is unable to offer me anything further than our current relationship.”

He tried to hide the bitterness and disappointment in his voice, but failed.

“Harrison, you must give her time.” She squeezed his arm, warm eyes peering up at him like she wanted to say more.

Time?

He’d given Kat years of his life, if he was being honest with himself. She was the reason he’d never married, never pursued another woman. It was simple really, no one could ever compare to her in his heart. “I’m afraid I do not have time to give her.”

“The estate?” Richmore asked. “There’s no need to do anything imprudent this evening. Give her time before you do anything like marry the first eligible lady your mother chooses.”

“He wouldn’t do that, would you?” Winnie asked him, looking from Harrison to her husband. “Promise me you’ll speak with Kitty. I know she still loves you, but she has been an independent woman for years, and now Jacques’s brother is threatening everything that she has built.”

He was well aware of Pierre Delcour’s claim—everyone in London knew that the case had been in the Court of Chancery for over a year. Yet, he could not find it in himself to allow Kat to treat him with such disregard.

“I wish Madame Delcour well, but it is time that I move on. Enjoy your evening, I know how much you two love being here.” He gave his friends a friendly wink before he walked away.

Harrison no longer wished to stand there speaking of the woman who had broken his heart for the second time in his life.

CHAPTER 4

Kitty stood staring at the door willing him to return, but minutes—maybe hours—had passed and still Harrison did not appear. Kitty’s harsh pants and the loud pounding of her heart in her own ears were the only sounds in the otherwise quiet room.

Gone.

She had always assumed that, like her; he was happy with their arrangement—no, not happy, complacent. He’d always wanted to marry her, but the thought of giving up everything after enduring Jacques for years scared her. But that wasn’t her only reason for refusing him. The truth was that Kitty feared his reaction to the truth about the child she was carrying when her family had disowned her.

Closing her eyes, she allowed the tears to fall. She’d lost him once and survived. Kitty would survive again without him. What choice did she have? Pleasure House needed her. Her employees needed her. She couldn’t run away and become a countess.

Not only was she a Madame, but she was also a woman of color. Was he really so ignorant to believe that society would ever accept her as his wife?

Glancing around the room, her gaze landed on the hideous painting of Lyon that Jacques’s mother had gifted him. Grimacing, Kitty wished she had the heart to throw it out, but it was one of the few things Jacques had ever asked of her. For some strange reason, he wanted Kitty to keep the painting always, and so she had.

“Kitty,” Winnie’s light voice called from the doorway.

Kitty spun around to face her friend, wiping hastily at her eyes. She hated that Harrison had the power to turn her into a simpering young girl. It had been years since she’d felt any emotion at all. After she lost the babe, it was difficult for her to feel anything ever again.

“Winnie, have you and Richmore come for more excitement?” she asked her friend as she continued to brush the tears from her cheeks.

Winnie closed the door behind her, giving Kitty a sad smile. “If you would just tell him?—”

“No. It was a long time ago.” She swallowed before sitting down in one of the black upholstered chairs in front of her desk. “It doesn’t matter. Besides, I can’t just marry an earl. I’m a businesswoman. People depend on me.”

“What about you, Kitty? Haven’t you sacrificed enough? Don’t you deserve to be happy with the man you love?” Winnie asked, taking a seat in the chair beside her.