wanted nothing more than to do the same for him. He was kind, generous, and had a heart that kept on giving. If the world was perfect, she’d dress and return to his side immediately.
But the world wasn’t perfect. Whatever it took, she had to keep her secrets safe.
How could she have been so foolish as to think and hope they could build a life together? Dukes didn’t marry bastards. They certainly didn’t marry convicted thieves.
Soon, she finished her bath, then made a pot of tea before retiring to her sanctuary, her office. She took a sip of tepid tea and munched on a piece of toast covered with elderberry jelly. Katherine worked on several new orders, then her travel plans to Brighton as best she could.
A gentle knock sounded on her study door.
Expecting Willa, Katherine called out, “Come in.”
Helen peeked around the door. “Good morning, darling,” she called out. “May I come in?”
Katherine swallowed at her friend’s appearance. She took a quick inventory of where the others were. Constance was in bed. Beth would be with her. Katherine prayed that Aunt Vee, the unpredictable one, was still enjoying her morning tea with Willa. Hopefully, for the next half hour, they could chat without Helen being aware that Katherine had house guests.
“Of course, Helen. I’m delighted to see you.” Of all the days, why couldn’t her friend have sent a card over first? Helen’s visit this morning would be the first real test of whether Katherine was any worse for wear from last night’s visit to Christian’s bedroom. Helen was almost as ruthless as Willa when it came to Katherine’s well-being. If Helen could tell something was amiss in their conversation, then Willa would sniff it out within two minutes. Bother. The cost of letting people close to you. “I thought I was coming to your house for tea.”
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” Helen settled into the chair across from Katherine. “Are you feeling well?” Helen asked as she leaned in Katherine’s direction. “Why are your cheeks flushed?”
“I ran up the stairs.”
“Hmm,” Helen murmured. “When Willa answered the door, she said you’d been in your study all morning.” She smoothed her dress, then leaned forward. “I understand congratulations are in order for your latest triumph.”
“Pardon?” How in the world could Helen have known she was with Christian last night?
Her friend shook her head. “Darling, I’m talking about the appointment as the supplier to the Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion.”
“Thank you,” she said woodenly.
Helen peered at her again. “What is the matter with you this morning?”
“Nothing.” Katherine released a long sigh. “As you can imagine, I have much on my mind.” Including a certain war hero duke with wicked lips and a glorious body designed so a woman would lose all her rational sense. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Are you?” she asked with a purr, then continued in a singsong voice. “Guess who’s set to call on you within the week?” Helen was absolutely beside herself today with joy. “I won’t allow you to guess. I want to say it myself.” She laughed. “Miles.”
Katherine pasted a smile on her lips. “How wonderful. Does he want to purchase more bedding?”
“No, goose,” Helen said affectionately. “Stop teasing me. He’s going to start courting you.” She leaned back in the slipper chair. “I expect a wedding announcement within the month.”
Katherine tried to mask her horror, then blinked slowly. “Did he tell you that?”
“Well, not in so many words. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. He told me he was going to call on Randford to discuss your situation with him. That only means one thing. He’s going to ask permission to call on you.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her voice sounded weak to her own ears.
Helen’s lips dipped into a moue of displeasure. “I thought you’d be excited.”
“I’m surprised, that’s all.” Katherine looked at the papers on her desk and made a show of straightening them. “Well, that gives me all the more incentive to finish my work.” She didn’t add the word “here,” so she could scramble to the workroom. Best to hide out the next week at her places of work so the earl couldn’t find her.
Helen stood. “I must leave. Benjamin wanted my opinion on a few bills he’s proposing next week.”
“I’ll see you out,” Katherine murmured.
Thankfully, they chatted about mundane things as they made their way downstairs. By then, Katherine had decided their tea would best be postponed until next week. She used the