know how.”
“But I daresay that isn’t enough.”
“Why do you say that?”
He stopped on the footpath and turned to face her, his black Hessian boots grinding on the loose gravel. “Kitty turned down an offer from Mr. Caney.”
“That is disappointing,” she responded, “but there will be other suitors. We have a whole list of gentlemen we can introduce her to and—”
He spoke over her. “Aren’t you the least bit angry?” he questioned.
“No,” she replied. “As I have told you before, I am only interested in my clients marrying for love.”
“But all the effort you have put forth was wasted.”
“I disagree. Kitty has worked hard to overcome her shyness, and she can now converse freely with gentlemen,” Katherine responded. “Furthermore, I just want my clients to experience true happiness with their choice.”
“I must admit that your lack of business sense baffles me.”
“I didn’t become a matchmaker for the money,” she replied. “I did it to find a way to help people find what I already had.”
He was silent for a long moment, then said, “You are a good person, Miss Blackmore.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
Lord Berkshire tilted his head back and looked up at the sky. As he brought his gaze back down to meet hers, he revealed, “After Kitty rejected Mr. Caney’s suit, she confessed to me that she has feelings for Mr. Kendall.”
“Oh, dear,” she muttered. “That is most unfortunate news.”
“I must admit that I acted poorly when she confided in me.”
“What did you do?”
He gave her a sheepish grin as he revealed, “I sent her to her bedchamber.”
“I see.”
“I didn’t know what else to do,” he admitted, tossing his hands up in the air. “I was just so taken back by her confession.”
“As would I have been.”
He shook his head. “No, you would have known exactly what to say to her, and you would have done so splendidly.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I make mistakes, too.”
“No, I don’t believe that to be true.”
She laughed. “My sisters are my dear friends, but at times we can be quite cross with one another. When I first became responsible for them, I sent them to their bedchambers on more than one occasion.”
“Truly?”
She took a step closer to him. “Yes, because I needed time to think and decide what was best for them.”
“What do I do?” he asked, looking defeated. “I refuse to let my sister marry someone so far beneath her. Her life would be ruined.”
“Did you try to explain that to her?”
He winced. “I may have shouted that before I sent her to her bedchamber.”
Reaching out, she placed a hand on his sleeve. “If you would like, I would be happy to join you when you speak to her again.”
“You would do that for me?” he asked, sounding surprised.
She smiled reassuringly at him. “I would.”
“I don’t deserve a friend like you,” he stated.
“That is the great thing about friendship, it is not about deserving. It’s about what you believe in,” she said, “and I believe in you.”
He went to gently place his hand over hers. “Thank you, Miss Blackmore.” His words were soft and sincere. “That means a lot coming from you.”
“You are welcome, Lord Berkshire.”
He stared at her, and in his gaze, she felt something stir deep inside of her. It was as if her heart began to soften towards him, something that she had imagined was nearly impossible only moments ago.
Her hand started feeling warm beneath his, and there was a pulsing feeling of intense awareness. It couldn’t be attraction. Could it? For how was it possible that she felt attraction to a man who was not Noah? But she did. For in that moment, she knew she was developing feelings for Lord Berkshire, unwanted feelings to be sure, but real, nonetheless.
Drat!
What was wrong with her treacherous heart?
Slipping her hand out from under his, she shifted her gaze away from him and rushed to say, “It might be best if we go back inside.”
Lord Berkshire nodded his agreement. “May I escort you inside?” he asked, extending his arm towards her.
Katherine stared down at his proffered arm, knowing it would be rude for her to refuse. But she wanted to. Desperately. Frankly, she was afraid of what she might feel if she touched him again. But propriety won out, and she gently placed her hand on his sleeve.
“Thank you,” she muttered.
Lord Berkshire eyed her curiously. “Are you all right, Miss Blackmore?”
“I am,” she replied, keeping her gaze straight ahead.
But she was lying to herself, and to