view of the floor.
“Thank you so much for your visit today.” Katherine led Skeats to the door. “Perhaps the next time, you might send a note ahead?” From now on, she’d ensure that the door was locked and the windows covered.
“Of course.” He took one step outside and stopped. “Your Grace, one more thing…”
She held her breath, praying he wouldn’t come back.
“A pleasure to see you again,” Skeats called out.
Christian stood immobile, not answering back.
“Lady Meriwether, may the best man win.” He waved goodbye.
She returned the gesture half-heartedly. “Or the best woman.”
He didn’t acknowledge her response but kept on his way.
As soon as she returned inside and closed the door, she fisted her hands. “The nerve of that man. He was not here for a social call. He wanted to find something he could use to undermine my chance of winning the contract.”
“I’m afraid that’s the case.” Through the window directly across, Christian glanced at the retreating figure down the street. “Would you like some of my servants here to keep him out? They could watch the doors. Most are from the military.”
“That won’t be necessary. I make certain everything is in perfect order. When I’m meeting my appointments at the emporium, Beth is here.” She exhaled, hoping to relieve her frustration at Skeats’s impromptu visit. “Once the secretary arrives to evaluate the business, perhaps we can all get back to work. Thank you for the offer of help.”
He smiled in pleasure, one of those grins that could coax the sun to shine at midnight.
“You’re welcome anytime, but I didn’t really do anything.” He took her bare hand in his and squeezed gently as he bowed. Through the fine leather, his heat branded her. “You were the one to steer him away. It appears that Isabelle isn’t the only one who can tidy things around here.” He gave her the package he’d held in the other hand. “Here are a couple of books from the nursery at Rand House. I thought Isabelle might enjoy them. One is a picture book and the other a primer of the alphabet.”
“How thoughtful.”
He slid a glance her way. “I have my moments.”
At every turn, he surprised her. Her heart beat a little quicker at the sight of his cheeks reddening. “I’ll make certain Isabelle receives these. She’ll adore them.”
He slowly glanced around the room. “You employ all these people?”
She nodded in answer.
Christian clasped his hands behind his back as he regarded the floor. “This is remarkable how successful your business is. When I was here yesterday, I had no idea you employed so many. Now I’m starting to understand why my half brother married you.”
“Is that an insult or a compliment?” Katherine laughed and turned to face him. At the sight of his grim face, she quickly sobered. “What’s wrong?”
“Meriwether’s personal items, including his papers, arrived at Hanes’s offices a little over an hour ago. Hanes is sending them over later this afternoon.” He paused for a moment. “I’d like for you to come to Rand House and view them with me. If you’re amenable and your schedule allows.”
“Of course. I’ll inform Beth and meet you there.”
He nodded. “It’s not something I’m looking forward to.”
Perhaps it made his death all the more real for Christian. She suspected that he carried deep feelings for his late half brother, locked away and out of sight. Though others might be distracted by the duke’s distance and sometimes churlishness, she saw it for what it was—a veneer to keep his heart protected.
“Until then, Lady Meriwether.” Christian bowed his head. “I shall wait for you to call upon me at your earliest convenience.” With another nod for her, he swept through the door.
A squall that could blow one over would wither in his presence. Which left Katherine wondering if she could withstand such a force of nature. One thing was certain. She was truly thankful such a force was in her life.
Chapter Thirteen
“Your Grace, Lady Meriwether is here,” Wheatley announced.
Christian pulled off his gardening gloves and watched Katherine enter the conservatory. She stopped inside the door, and her unmasked enchantment with the room immediately brought a smile to his face. He felt the same pleasure every time he entered his private refuge.
“What a wondrous place,” she exclaimed as she pivoted on one foot, taking in the magnificence of the glass walls. Her gaze darted down the neat rows of rosebushes and orange trees.
“Thank you, Wheatley.” Christian nodded a dismissal to the butler, then walked to Katherine’s side. “I was