Forever Mine by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2017-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Might I speak with you for a moment, Kit?”

Christopher had been wandering through a crowded parlor when he turned to see Mr. Bolton summoning him from the door to his library.

“I was looking for Priscilla, sir,” he said.

“Let’s you and I chat first.”

Mr. Bolton’s tone was firm and unbending, providing a hint of why he was so successful with his soap company. Usually, he seemed like a bit of a bungler, but he could be quite shrewd when the situation called for it.

“Fine, Mr. Bolton, let’s chat.”

Christopher followed him into the room and closed the door behind them. There was a massive desk on the far wall as well as numerous chairs and a sofa, but apparently this was a conversation that needed to occur while they were standing.

“Whiskey?” Mr. Bolton asked.

“A whiskey would be perfect.”

Mr. Bolton went to the sideboard and poured them both a tall glass. Christopher sipped his while Mr. Bolton nervously downed the entire contents in one gulp. Christopher knew what the topic would be—Catherine had warned him—but he was curious as to Mr. Bolton’s view of the debacle.

He and Christopher were barely acquainted, and he was no father figure. Surely he wasn’t about to dispense a lecture on morals and womanizing!

“What is it, sir?” Christopher inquired. “If it’s so bad that you have to imbibe before you can begin, it must be horrid.”

“I thought I should advise you that Priscilla is upset.”

“Isn’t she always?”

“Yes, but it’s more severe than normal.” The poor man’s cheeks flushed a hot shade of red.

“Spit it out, sir. If you don’t, you might choke on it.”

“My daughter saw you this afternoon while she was out shopping.”

“Yes, I heard. I was strolling with acquaintances.”

“Very pretty acquaintances.”

“Yes. They were very pretty.”

“Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

“No.”

An awkward silence developed, and Christopher wasn’t about to break it. He was thirty years old and would choose his own companions. He wouldn’t be scolded, and if Bolton presumed he could complain and chastise he was in for a surprise.

Christopher had agreed to take Bolton’s immature daughter off his hands. He was willing to put up with her temper and spite so he was doing Bolton an enormous favor. Bolton wasn’t his father or his vicar or his commanding officer, and he was in no position to admonish Christopher on any issue.

“Here’s the problem, Kit,” Mr. Bolton ultimately said. “Priscilla is convinced you’re dallying with trollops.”

“What if I am?” Christopher snidely retorted. “Are you about to claim it’s appropriate for her to tattle about me to you? Is it your opinion that she should be able to meddle in my private affairs?”

“No! Your relationship with her is not my business. You’ll have to find the means to get on with her. Every husband has to devise his own path.”

“I expect mine to be particularly difficult.”

“I’m certain it will be.”

“So what is your point?”

“My purpose is to caution you about being discreet. Monogamy is never possible in a marriage, and with Priscilla as your spouse there’s not a gentleman in the land who would condemn you for seeking outside contentment.

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