The Socialite - J'nell Ciesielski Page 0,141

be able to support us just fine as we already have an investor.”

His eyes narrowed. “Your father.”

“No. He wanted to see us off, but his pushchair is difficult to maneuver up gangways. That and he doesn’t like the stares.”

Barrett’s mouth dropped open. “You father is in a pushchair?”

She nodded. “Polio. Hasn’t been able to walk in over six years.”

After all these months of loathing the man’s guts, he’d gone and vilified a crippled man. Barrett swallowed back a groan of self-disgust. No wonder Sir Alfred never rose from behind his desk to knock him out for the storm of insults that day in his office.

Anger boiled up, more at himself than at her. “You should have told me.”

“He doesn’t like people to know, to feel their pity,” she said softly.

“I’m not most people.”

“No, you’re not.” A slight smile curved her lips as she tapped polished fingernails against the sleeve of her dress. “Now that we have that cleared up, the Bank of England has granted us a loan with two percent interest over ten years. A fair deal in today’s market.”

He whirled to the door. “I can make my own way.”

“Stubborn fool.”

Grabbing him from behind, her foot hooked around his and yanked. He tipped backward and hit the floor.

Kneeling, she leaned over his chest and pinned him to the ground. “Now, I have a special license signed by the archbishop himself, and I’m getting married today. To you. It would be much easier if you went willing, but I’m prepared to go at this the hard way as well.”

Knock. Knock. A key rattled in the lock and the door pushed open, shoving Barrett on the shoulder. The purser popped his head in. “Oh, pardon me. I didn’t realize the chaplain had already been here.”

Kat shook her head. “He hasn’t.”

Suspicion creased the man’s forehead as he stared down his short nose at them. “Then might I suggest we compose ourselves until he does. This ship was christened by the king himself, and I’ll not have any shenanigans spoiling its sterling reputation.”

He whirled out without closing the door.

Kat’s gaze dropped back down to Barrett. The green tint in her eyes darkened as her lips hovered inches over his.

He cupped her cheek, grazing the delicate skin with his fingertips. Like warm silk. His heart pounded like a trip-hammer. “Why do you want me so?”

“Because I love you.”

A word so foreign to him he might have thought he was dreaming if not for her soft weight pressing down on him. He’d waited a lifetime to hear it spoken to him, and to have it claimed by this beautiful, courageous woman was more than his soul could withstand.

Grasping her face, he rose up to meet her. “I love you.”

Her smiling lips met his in a surge of passion. They molded to his, seeking and possessing everything he had to offer. He dug his fingers into the richness of her hair, twining the curls behind her ears. She sighed, sending his pulse pounding in reckless abandon as he deepened the kiss.

How could he have thought to ever let her go?

Her hand moved up his arm, brushing tingles down the limb until she found the opening at his collar. She brushed her fingers over the exposed skin, inflaming it to her touch like a brand. He belonged to her alone. Always.

“Oh, dear. Did I get this room already? Sometimes I have a hard time keeping track with all the departing soldiers.”

Barrett’s head cleared long enough to notice the black-and-white markings under the naval uniform as those of a chaplain. “No, Padre. You haven’t been to this cabin yet.”

“Oh.” Relief curled the gangly man’s lips. Pushing the wire-rimmed glasses back up his nose, his expression soured into a frown. “Then I’ll ask that you release the young lady until I’ve performed the necessary rites.”

Grinning, Barrett rolled to his feet and offered his hand to Kat. Pink tinged her cheeks as she brushed the wrinkles from her skirt. “Might you give us a moment, Padre? He’s yet to ask me.”

“Ask you? Ask you what?” Padre swung his gaze between them until his eyes popped open wide behind his glasses. “For heaven’s sake. You’re not even engaged and carrying on like . . . like I don’t know what. Make it fast, lad. I should hate to think what will happen if I don’t return in the next ten minutes. Or sooner.”

Alone again, Barrett pulled her into his arms. “You’re so certain I want to marry you.”

She circled her arms around his neck, ruffling the hair on the back of his head. “Yes, very certain.”

“Do I get a say in this?”

“No.”

“Not even to ask you proper? To be my wife through all the years I’m granted to live at your side. Because I want you, not in a way to survive, but in a way to make life worth living.” He locked his hands behind her waist, drawing her closer. “I don’t know where I’ll be in ten or fifty years, but I do know where my heart will be. With you.”

She grazed a kiss along his jaw. “Not with some woman to simper over you and let you do whatever you want?”

“Someone who doesn’t argue as much would be a nice change.”

“If that’s how you feel about it—”

She whirled from his grasp, but he caught her wrist and drew her back. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he held her tight to his chest and inhaled her sweet lilac scent. Touching his forehead to hers, he fell headfirst into the blueness of her eyes and let himself drown in their depths. “No. This is how I feel about it.”

He moved his mouth to hers, claiming her for his own. Always.

Feet shuffled in the door. “Oh, for Saint Peter’s sake. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today . . .”

Discussion Questions

How would you describe Kat and Ellie’s relationship? How have they responded uniquely to their English upbringing? Do you relate to either of the sisters?

Throughout the book, many different forces work to serve the war effort. Some prefer to work behind the scenes, such as Sir Whitford, while others stride to the forefront of action like Barrett. Given the choice, which would you prefer?

Kat is a well-brought-up woman with all the comforts her station affords, yet she does not hesitate to abandon these conveniences to save her sister. Have you ever felt convicted enough to leave behind all you knew and venture into uncertainty? Would you do the same for someone you love?

Eric’s title is the Minister of Culture and Social Movement in France. Why do you think the Nazis bothered with such roles amid wartime and took great pains to steal and hoard Europe’s fine art?

Founded in the 1920s in order to unite a greater Germany after the crippling loss of WWI, Nazism grew to the height of its power under the leadership of Adolf Hitler and became the standard by which we judge evil. Why do you think so many people went along with Hitler’s ideology? Did it have the power to corrupt good people, or were those who followed him seeking an outlet for their innate wickedness?

What motivates Barrett Anderson? Describe his code of ethics and consider how his backstory has molded his character.

Kat is disgusted by Nazism but must play nice with the enemy in order to infiltrate their inner circle. How would you have handled such circumstances? What about Kat makes her the perfect spy?

Major Eric von Schlegel is a complicated man with a decisive view of the world and those within it. Is any part of his character redeemable? As twisted as his actions and beliefs are, do you believe Eric truly loved Ellie?

What did you learn about Nazi-occupied Paris that you did not already know? Though Ellie and Eric lived decadently, what do you imagine the day-to-day experience was like for the rest of occupied France?

How did you feel about Sir Whitford throughout the story? Did that perception ever change?