It Takes a Rake by Anna Bennett

Author:Anna Bennett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Chapter 15

“You didn’t have to come with me today,” Kitty said to her uncle. She sat opposite him in the coach as he bounced a knee and looked out a window distractedly. “I know you’re worried about Hazel.”

Blade’s gaze snapped to hers, and he winced guiltily. “Forgive me. I confess I was concerned when she said she wasn’t feeling well this morning, but she assured me it’s quite normal. She wouldn’t fib about that, would she?” he asked, his expression anxious.

“No,” Kitty said. “She wouldn’t.”

He exhaled and managed a smile. “In any event, I promise to be a better escort from here on out. Hazel truly wants you to enjoy yourself at the croquet match—probably so that you can tell her all about the afternoon in excruciating detail when we return home. And I … well, I am sorry we haven’t spent more time together lately.”

“I am, too. But I understand,” she said. Blade had been busy overseeing construction on their new house and Hazel’s school, and other business often called him back to London as well. “You aren’t the only one to blame. I’ve been spending quite a bit of time at Mr. Sandford’s office,” she admitted.

In truth, she’d spent many hours with Leo outside of the office. Sparring with him on the beach. Kissing in his apartment. Stripping off her clothes in Pirate’s Cave. Her cheeks heated at the thought.

“Well, I’ve missed you,” Uncle Beck said soberly, but then his eyes twinkled. “I even miss the way you used to nick the brandy from my study. At least then we had reason to talk.”

“You mean you had reason to shout at me. But I’ve turned dreadfully boring of late, dear uncle,” she teased. “Or perhaps I’ve simply become more skilled at avoiding being caught.”

Blade chuckled, and Kitty relished the rich sound. No one could make him laugh quite like she could. “True. Tell me what mischief you’ve been up to,” he said.

She batted her eyes innocently. If Blade had even an inkling of what she’d been doing with Leo, he’d lock her in a tower and find a fire-breathing dragon to guard it. “No mischief,” she said breezily. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. I’m the picture of industriousness now, devoting all my time and energy to a pair of projects.”

He arched a dark brow. “What projects might those be?”

“My contest entry, for one. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m designing a theater.” She closed her eyes for a moment and imagined the lines and curves and colors in her sketchbook, all blending together in perfect harmony. “I’ve never undertaken anything quite like it. But if I can manage to convey the vision in my head, I think I could win.”

“I know you can,” Blade said proudly. “You’re one of the most talented people I know, Kitty. And I don’t even need to see your drawings to know your theater would be the jewel of Bellehaven Bay.”

She shot him a grateful smile. “I expect the competition to be fierce. One of Leo’s colleagues from London arrived in town yesterday.

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