A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,80

head slightly, upsetting two curls.

“What is that? A keepsake?” he asked softly as he pushed the wayward locks back into place.

She handed the pillow to him. “A little something my mother gave to me when I was a little girl. She said it holds all her love for me.” Her gaze settled on the pillow. “It’s silly, but I find great comfort in it when I’m troubled.”

“It’s not silly at all.” He traced the small red heart on the pillow. “Your mother sounds as if she was wonderful.” He returned it to her, and she put it on the desk.

She swallowed and blinked rapidly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

He couldn’t help but cup her cheek in his palm. The recalcitrant pounding in his chest urged him to take her in his arms and never let her go. But he forced himself to stay in place. “Kat,” he whispered her name like a solemn vow. “Don’t keep everything to yourself.”

“It’s hard to let go when you’ve been on your own for so long.” She stepped away, then started to pace again. After one pass, she stopped. “Have you heard from Lord Sykeston?”

He came to her side and took her hands, encouraging her to look at him. When she tilted her head, he was blinded by the resolve in their depths. “I just received a letter from him. He’s coming to town, but he didn’t mention anything about Constance. I think our posts crossed on the road. I’ve sent a reply to his London house, asking him to meet both me and Lord Grayson at the Marquess and Marchioness of Halverton’s soiree tomorrow evening. It’ll be safer there. Halverton has a private room for us. No one will suspect anything if the three of us disappear for a while.”

“Who is Lord Grayson?”

“He’s my closest friend and a friend to Sykeston. He knows what Meri’s done and wants to be there to help.”

She drew away, then sat on the small sofa before the fireplace, where the flame’s shadows kissed her cheeks.

Which was exactly what he wanted to do to her.

“Lord Sykeston has to agree,” Katherine said. “Constance needs a husband before her baby is born.”

He put the thought of kisses aside—for now. “I’ll do my best.”

Christian eased himself onto the sofa beside her. He took her hand and threaded their fingers together. Whether it was a sign that he considered her his or that he’d be her champion, it didn’t make any difference. It felt right to be touching here in the study. He was fast coming to the conclusion that he would always enjoy touching her, no matter where they were.

“The earl mustn’t mind caring for another man’s child, and I don’t think he will,” he mused quietly. He picked up his discarded whisky and swallowed it in one gulp.

“I want to make one thing clear.” Ramrod straight, she sat on the edge of her seat. “I don’t need a husband.”

* * *

Christian put his glass down with deliberate care. Katherine could see the wheels turning in his mind. He eased himself against the back of the sofa.

“I didn’t plan on offering you to anyone.” A half smile formed across his full mouth, and his eyes twinkled in jest. “But I appreciate your candor.” He stretched out his legs. The movement so effortlessly smooth, he looked completely at home.

Immediately, her tension evaporated. His familiarity and playfulness brought a succor she sorely needed. “I sound like a…” She let out a sigh.

“A woman who’s worried about her friend,” he added softly.

“I was going to say shrew.” She couldn’t help but laugh.

He didn’t join in but regarded her with a seriousness that made her squirm slightly. He saw too much with that brown-eyed gaze of his.

“Let me give you money for the care of Miss Howell, Miss Lysander, and her aunt. I don’t feel right otherwise. The least you can do is give me the benefit of thinking I’m helping. It has to be costing you a pretty penny to keep three additional people under your care.”

“Thank you, but no.” She clasped her hands. “I don’t need help.” She hadn’t needed help from anyone after she left York, and she wouldn’t start now.

Christian examined her as he always did when he didn’t like her answer. With a flick of an eyebrow, he thought to press her into accepting his offer. Defiantly, she refused to look away.

“Always the independent woman, aren’t you, Katherine? Does this trait come from your years in York, or