Willa stared at the window for a moment before turning her gaze back to Kat’s. “I discovered I wasn’t the marrying type, but I wanted children. The good Lord didn’t agree, but he gave me another gift.”
“I’ve never heard this story.” Kat’s heart clinched to think her loving Willa had suffered. “What gift did you receive?”
“He gave me you.” In a rare show of emotion, Willa wiped her eye, then started brushing Kat’s hair again. “Let me ask you another question.”
Kat sat still and waited.
“Perhaps being true to yourself is what attracted the duke in the first place?” She slid the brush through Kat’s hair again. “Mark my words. Trust your instincts. Be yourself and see what happens.”
Her instincts told her to hide. How could she be herself while maintaining the balancing act she’d performed for the last year? She had the title of a lady and acted like one. Because of her status in society, the ton had accepted her and her business with open arms.
Now, all of a sudden, she felt like an imposter. She bit the side of her bottom lip. She’d never been one to shirk hard work and the impossible. The success of her linen enterprise was proof. But if the ton ever found out the truth of why she rushed into marriage, along with her humble beginnings, they’d banish her.
* * *
The day of Grayson’s visit, Katherine had sent a note to Christian for him to meet her at the warehouse near the Thames. He was a few minutes early, so he strolled through the busy area toward the designated building at the end of the block. The well-maintained street was bustling with activity. The scent of the river lingered in the air, along with the shouts and the grunts of workers unloading a cart of kegs into one of the buildings.
Christian released a happy sigh. It was a day to enjoy life and the city. The day had never been sunnier or cleaner, meaning the coal-infused air was noticeably absent.
He adjusted his hat to keep the sun from creeping into his eyes, or so he let the passersby think. In reality, it hid the smile that tugged at his lips. Since he’d spoken to Grayson, it was simply remarkable that everything seemed to be flavored with Katherine—her smell, her expressions, the small sounds she made when she was aggravated with him. They permeated the facets of his life.
Even her simple smile caused a chain reaction within him. How lucky his half brother had been to listen to her laugh. The fool should have never left her. If Christian had married her, he was certain he’d never tire of her laugh.
Or her.
Christian rounded the corner at a brisk pace and stopped forthwith before plowing into a woman who had her head bent and was heading in the same direction.
“Hello, Katherine,” Christian said as he tipped his hat.
“Your Grace.” A vision in a gray velvet pelisse, Katherine greeted him with a warm smile. A matching hat sat at a jaunty angle on her head. “You’re right on time. It’s right down here.” She pointed to the end of the street.
“Shall we?” He presented his best charming smile and raised his arm for her to take.
Her pulse fluttered at the base of her neck, making it hard to control the wild urge to press his lips there.
She adjusted a leather satchel that she carried under her arm, then wrapped her other arm around his before they started down the street.
“I’m thinking about my day. After this, I’m going to my workshop to drop off a few orders.” Her eyes widened. “You should come with me. See my workshop and how it’s set up. It might give you some ideas for the work areas. The men who’ll refinish the furniture will need them.”
“Your workshop?” For a moment he forget to breathe. Her eyes practically sparkled as she talked about her work. “I’d like to see it. But I didn’t know you owned a workshop.”
“I rent the space.”
“May I ask a question?” Christian asked.
She nodded.
“What did Meri think about you working?”
She stopped midstep, then turned to face him. Her unique scent rose to greet him. Her lips pursed in a moue of displeasure as she said, “Your Grace, this isn’t a hobby. It’s a livelihood.”
“I meant no offense.” He tucked himself closer to her side to give a little more room to a workman who passed by with a keg on his back. Christian purposely kept close after