leave the book here if it belonged to her, but since it belonged to Aaron, she needed to take it back home.
The afternoon had been a pleasant one. It was a shame they had to ruin it by returning to a townhouse with a very miserable earl.
Once she was in the carriage with her chaperone, Gretchen said, “It was nice of you to read that story. You have a pleasant voice for reading, too.”
Surprised by the compliment, Kitty replied, “Thank you. I love to read. I used to read aloud when it was too quiet in my room. It helped me not feel so alone.”
“Did you feel alone often?”
“I did. I had an older brother, but we were never close, and I had no sisters. Most of the time, I only had books for company.”
“What about your parents?”
“They had social engagements to go to.” Noting the sympathetic expression on her chaperone’s face, Kitty hurried to say, “My friends are like the sisters I never had. I don’t feel lonely anymore.”
“It’s good you have those friends. Everyone should have someone that lessens that feeling of loneliness we all deal with from time to time. I don’t know what I would do if it weren’t for Hattie and Teddy. I used to think I’d like to marry, but I never found a suitable gentleman. It turned out that was for the best. Poor Hattie couldn’t manage Teddy all by herself. Someone needs to make the money to support us, and we agreed early on that I was the best one to do that. Hattie’s always been more motherly than I am. She enjoys cooking and taking care of Teddy like one would a child. He seeks her out first when he needs someone to comfort him.”
“You were the one who calmed him the other day when he cut himself.”
“Yes, but that’s because there was medicine involved. When it comes to medicine, he thinks it’s really poison. I think it’s my serious nature that compels him to believe me when I tell him it’s not.”
“Well, you have a way about you that makes everyone take you at your word.”
Gretchen laughed. “Hattie tells me that all the time. It’s why she comes to me when she’s at her wit’s end.”
“Does it ever bother you?” Kitty asked.
“No. Hattie is the way she is, and I am the way I am. I’ve long since come to peace with the fact that I’ll never be like her.”
“You used to want to be like her?”
“I did. I even tried for a while, but I just don’t have that softness in me like she does. She makes people comfortable. They enjoy being around her.”
Picking up on the wistful tone in her voice, Kitty said, “You’re actually pleasant to be with now that I’ve gotten to know you.”
Gretchen’s eyes widened. “I am?”
Kitty nodded. “If I had to be chaperoned by anyone, I would be happy for you to take the position.”
Gretchen smiled. “Thank you, my lady. I appreciate that.”
Kitty returned her smile, and the two rode the rest of the way back to the townhouse in silence.
***
“What do you mean that you have to take a leave of absence?” Aaron asked Miss Britcher the next morning when she came up to him in the drawing room. “And where is my wife? She should be with you.”
Miss Britcher gave a slight shake of her head that reminded him of a mother who had caught her child talking out of turn. “Lord Northton, your wife is currently taking a bath. I made sure she was alone before I left her in her bedchamber.”
He frowned. “But someone could go into the bedchamber while you’re down here talking to me.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Do you hire servants who are likely to take advantage of the mistress of the house?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I don’t see why you worry about her virtue while she’s bathing.”
“Someone could sneak in through a window.”
She let out a sigh so loud that he was sure she intended for him to notice so he’d know she was growing frustrated with him, but he chose to ignore it.
She turned toward Mr. Stonewall. “Would you go outside and stop anyone who tries to climb the walls to get to Lady Northton’s window?”
Aaron felt a scowl cross his face. “Do you find that humorous?”
“I find nothing about this situation with your wife humorous,” she replied.
As Mr. Stonewall made his way to the door, Aaron called out, “There’s no need to go out there. This conversation