The Wild Card by Beth Elliott

Author:Beth Elliott [Beth Elliott]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780709099512
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2012-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Kitty handed the note from her aunt to Mrs Clemence’s butler and made her way down the steps of the elegant town house. At the end of Half Moon Street she hesitated. Her thoughts were in turmoil and she dreaded returning to the quiet of the house in Grosvenor Square to be shut up there for the rest of the day. How she craved the chance to walk energetically in the open air.

She really needed time to sort out her feelings about Theo. In addition to reproaching herself for her stupid accusations of the previous night, she was conscious of another new emotion burning in her breast. Miss Harling had made her feel jealous. If she had time to be alone in the fresh air she could convince herself that she still wished to return to Cheshire and continue helping Papa with his good works.

That was the best attitude to adopt now that Theo had shown he was no longer interested in her. And she was no Miss Harling, to keep pushing herself at a man. Kitty sighed. She cast a longing look in the direction of Hyde Park then reluctantly turned her steps towards Grosvenor Square. She heard a man’s tread coming up behind her. In a very few minutes a gentleman drew level with her, looked her way and raised his hat. In consternation, Kitty stared at Greg Thatcham.

‘Oh,’ she stammered, drawing a shaky breath, ‘y-you are in town.’ She took his outstretched hand, noticing the faint shadow of the bruise around his eye.

‘Indeed. Got back last night.’ He gave her his usual friendly smile. ‘You are on your way home? May I escort you?’

‘You have been sadly missing from our circle, Mr Thatcham,’ said Kitty, putting a hand on his proffered arm. ‘Indeed, we feared you were indisposed.’

‘Oh, you are looking at my eye. Well, Miss Towers, as to that, I have been wanting an opportunity to thank you for the great service you rendered me in accepting that letter. It was very bad of me to ask you – but as you see, I was right to fear it might be stolen from me.’

‘I assume I have been dealing in secrets of State?’ Kitty said jokingly. She cast a glance up at him. His frank expression changed to one of shame.

‘Theo was ready to murder me for involving you in the business. He did not approve at all. I am sorry for it, but indeed, at the time I was desperate.’

‘Did he think I would betray you?’ Kitty tried to keep the indignation out of her voice. Her eyes flashed. How dare Theo suspect her? No wonder he had been so persistent about getting the letter back from her in Hookham’s Library. Then she remembered her accusation to him the previous night and bit her lip. A huge sigh escaped her.

Greg looked down in concern. ‘You are unwell? By Jove, Miss Towers, now I come to notice it, you are very pale.’

‘I am just a little tired,’ admitted Kitty, ‘this lifestyle is so different from the way we live in Cheshire.

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