A Deceptive Wager (Marriage by Design #3) - Ruth Ann Nordin Page 0,75

in her.”

Kitty blinked in surprise. “He has?”

“He didn’t say anything directly to me about it, but Benjamin said his uncle has been paying her and her family a visit every day since he first went to see how they were doing. Yesterday, Benjamin even told me that his uncle bought some flowers that were her favorite color.”

Lilly gasped. “Why didn’t you tell us this sooner?”

“We were busy talking about Jackson and what I could expect when it came time to have my little one,” Emilia told her. “I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

Kitty was still having trouble understanding what Emilia just said. “Are you saying that Michael is Gretchen’s suitor?”

“Benjamin hasn’t come out and said it in so many words, but his uncle talks about her quite a bit,” Emilia replied.

“I think that’s sweet,” Lilly said.

Now that Kitty’s shock was beginning to wear off, she was able to say, “Gretchen never expected to get married. Are you saying that Michael might marry her?”

“No one has discussed marriage yet,” Emilia replied, “but Michael isn’t spending a lot of time with her because he only wants a companion. He has plenty of friends.”

Perhaps Kitty should pay Gretchen a visit soon. She needed to find out what Gretchen thought for herself, if Gretchen would be inclined to share such personal information with her.

Jackson cooed in her arms, and Kitty directed her attention back to him. At once, she forgot all about Gretchen. She smiled at the child. Maybe, someday, she would hold her own baby, and if that happened, she would be assured that Aaron would raise the child with her, rather than taking the baby and running off with him. Lilly was right about Aaron. He was different now. That was nice. He was making a genuine effort to see her for who she truly was. And that meant that there just might be hope for a future with her own child in it.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Aaron was sorting through the books in his library when the footman told him he had a visitor. His first thought was that Kitty had decided to stop by to see him, and he was surprised by the spark of excitement that coursed through him. Yes, he had enjoyed spending time with her lately, but he hadn’t realized how much he looked forward to seeing her until this moment.

Unfortunately, the footman went on to say, “It’s Lord Halloway.”

Doing his best to hide his disappointment, Aaron reluctantly allowed the footman to bring Kitty’s brother into the room. He really didn’t want to talk to him, but since he was her brother, he felt an obligation to be civil, even if she didn’t like him any more than he did.

Aaron went to the desk and straightened the four books he thought Teddy might like Kitty to read to him. He was planning to give them to her within the hour when he was due to see her.

He lifted his gaze to the doorway as he heard footsteps approach.

“I’d offer you something to drink, but I see no reason to pretend we have a cordial relationship,” Aaron told Lord Halloway.

“Are you still upset that I arranged a marriage between you and my sister?” the gentleman asked.

“Actually, I’m not. I just don’t like being around deceptive people.”

Lord Halloway put his hand on his chest as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I didn’t deceive you. I followed through with our wager. I gave you the twenty thousand pounds I owed you.”

It was on the tip of Aaron’s tongue to point out that marriage had never factored into the wager, but why waste his time? Some people couldn’t be reasoned with, and Lord Halloway was one of them. “What do you want?”

“Who says I want anything?”

“You came over here to see me.”

“Did I come here to see you, or did I come to see the pretty decoration you acquired on your wedding day?”

Aaron decided to ignore the amused tone in his voice. “What do you want, Lord Halloway?”

“You don’t have to be rude. I, myself, was being polite. However, since you’re not interested in having a pleasant conversation, I will get to the point.” He paused for a moment then asked, “Where is your wife?”

“Not in this room.”

“Is she in this townhouse?”

“Why do you care?” Aaron asked. “You married her to someone you hardly knew, and until today, you haven’t bothered to apologize or see how she’s doing.”

“Well, I’m here now. Maybe I came by to apologize and see how she’s