came downstairs for a little supper, ma’am.’
‘Oh? And what did you eat? After Garston’s experience yesterday I am reluctant to break my fast here, but I cannot think there is any danger in taking a little bread and butter.’ She cast a doubtful glance at her son’s plate, piled with thick slices of ham and cold beef. ‘You certainly seem to have regained your appetite, my love.’
Garston’s mouth was too full to reply but Daniel said coolly, ‘I believe a good breakfast will aid Lord Leaconham’s recovery.’
Garston gave him a rather sheepish look and swallowed hard.
‘Aye, it will indeed,’ he agreed. ‘Just what I need. I shall be well enough to travel back to Town with you today, Mama, never fear.’
‘And I shall ride with you,’ said Daniel. He turned to Kitty. ‘May I pour you a little more coffee, Miss Wythenshawe? And perhaps you would like another bread roll?’
‘Coffee, thank you, but no more to eat.’
‘I hope your … supper did not prevent you from sleeping,’ he remarked as he filled her cup.
Kitty felt the blood rushing to her cheeks.
‘N-no.’ His countenance was impassive but she observed the glint in his dark eyes and added firmly, ‘I slept very well. I know of no reason why I should not do so.’
‘Do you not?’
The blush on Kitty’s cheeks deepened and she could only pray that the others were too intent upon their breakfast to notice her discomfiture. She shot Daniel an angry look.
‘No,’ she said in a tight voice. ‘Nothing worthy of comment at all.’
With a smile, Daniel returned his attention to his breakfast. Was it cruel of him to tease her? Perhaps, but she looked so delightful when she was flustered. The touch of her leg against his had not been deliberate, she was far too respectable for that, but it had taken all his will-power not to react. That brief contact had sent a warm thrill rushing through him, reminding him again of the excitement he had felt when he kissed her. But he must be careful. He picked up his cup. There would be the devil to pay if last night’s little encounter should be discovered. Doubtless he would be expected to marry the chit.
It was a sudden shock to realise that the idea rather appealed to him.
‘Mr Blackwood, you have spilled your coffee!’
Lady Leaconham’s voice recalled his wandering thoughts.
‘I beg your pardon.’ He looked down. The coffee had slopped on to his empty plate. ‘That was very careless of me.’ He shot a quick, apologetic glance at Kitty. ‘Thankfully there is no harm done. This time.’
She met his eyes fleetingly.
‘You must be careful to make sure it doesn’t happen again.’
Her tone was cool but he was certain she was not talking about the spilling of his drink but of that blazing, explosive kiss they had shared last night. They had agreed the matter was best forgotten but after a night’s reflection Daniel found he did not want to forget it. Kitty’s reaction when he had kissed her convinced him that she was not indifferent to him, but could he be wrong? Was it possible that she had put the matter from her mind? He did not think so. He wanted to talk to her but she gave him no opportunity to do so, staying close to her godmother for the remainder of the morning and ignoring him when he tried to hand her into the carriage, turning instead to Leaconham to perform that duty. After that he could only ride beside the carriage, knowing Kitty was only feet away from him.
‘I trust Lord Harworth will not be too put out with you for your absence last night, sir,’ said Lady Leaconham when they arrived at Portman Square and she took her leave of him. Kitty, he noticed, said nothing, merely standing on the doorstep with her eyes downcast.
‘I sent a messenger to him yesterday evening, to explain the situation.’
‘Ah, of course. And I hope you will escort my son to his rooms—’
‘Dash it all, Mama, I ain’t in need of a nursemaid!’ cried Garston, poking his head out of the carriage window. ‘I am perfectly capable of getting myself home. Drive on, Dawkins!’
He dragged his hat from his fair head and waved it towards the coachman. Daniel nodded to Lady Leaconham.
‘You need not worry, ma’am. I’ll see him home safely.’
Then with a nod of his head he turned his horse and rode off. There would be no tête-à-tête with Miss Kitty Wythenshawe today. Perhaps that was for the best, he thought as he rode out of Portman Square, for the very unsettling idea was taking hold of him that where Miss Wythenshawe was concerned, he was standing on the edge of a precipice.
‘Well, there is no doubt about it,’ declared Lady Leaconham, leading the way into the house, ‘Mr Blackwood is much more gentlemanly than I had at first thought. To be sure, he does not smile a great deal or go out of his way to make himself agreeable, but his stopping at the inn to look after Garston, and escorting us home was uncommon kind!’ Her brows drew together. ‘Do you think he has formed a tendre for you, my love?’
‘F-for me?’ said Kitty, forcing a laugh. ‘What an absurd idea! He never speaks to me but to pick a quarrel!’
‘Well, I am relieved to hear it,’ said her godmother. ‘Pleasant Mr Blackwood may be, but he is nothing compared to Lord Harworth. He is in trade and thus not to be considered at this stage. I think we had best concentrate on securing Bertram’s interest in you. Ah, Meakin, there you are.’ She turned to address her maid who was hurrying down the stairs and she continued in a much weaker voice, ‘I need you to help me to my room. What with the anxiety over my son, and being obliged to remain overnight in a common coaching inn, my poor nerves are in shreds.’
She tottered to the stairs and into the arms of her waiting dresser. Realising that her assistance was not required, Kitty made her way to the servants’ hall. She was far too tense to lie down in her room so she decided that she would take Titan for a walk and enjoy a little solitude in which to examine her own reaction to the previous evening.
The memory of Daniel’s kiss kept jumping into her mind, bringing back that weakness in the knees and the feeling of her bones turning to water. She had no experience of being kissed before, and the thought that these sensations occurred every time a young lady allowed herself to be embraced by a gentleman alarmed her. No wonder anxious parents warned their daughters never to be alone with a man. It was also very daunting to think that not only had she allowed Daniel to kiss her, but she had responded in a most unladylike way. Indeed, she could not deny that she had enjoyed the sensation of being in his arms.
For the rest of the day guilt and shame raged within Kitty. She dare not tell anyone of her transgression, but she was determined that nothing like it should ever happen again. She would make sure in future that she was always suitably chaperoned. She would avoid the company of all men and especially, especially Daniel Blackwood!
Lady Leaconham was laid low with her nerves for a few days following the picnic and Kitty was glad of the excuse to remain indoors, even declining an invitation to drive out with Ann Harworth. However, the following week brought no hint that the events at the Rising Sun were known by more than those closely involved and Kitty was encouraged to
