of his gaze.
‘I thought you’d be well on your way to London,’ she said around the sudden tightness in her throat.
‘I told you that I was staying here, so why is it that you are so insistent on sending me to London?’ Kit’s mouth quirked upwards. ‘One would almost consider that you wanted to be rid of me.’
Hattie clasped her hands together as the warmth of his voice flowed over her. This time, she’d be strong. She’d resist the lure of his voice.
‘We have nothing more to say to each other.’
He inclined his head. ‘And here I thought you were more neighbourly than that. We are close neighbours after all.’
Hattie regarded him suspiciously. Neighbourly? Was he really staying? ‘You were serious before and intend on living in Northumberland? What about your urgent business in London?’
He snapped his fingers, dismissing the notion. ‘My mother is unable to travel. She enjoys the neighbourhood. Then there is the Lodge, which needs fixing. Pressing matters. The business can wait.’
‘Then I shall have to get used to seeing you at various functions.’ She tilted her head upwards so that her bonnet shielded her eyes.
‘I’ve no plans to be a hermit.’
‘The entertainment around here is a bit more tame than you are used to.’
‘I have found it adequate thus far.’ He touched his hand to his hat. ‘I trust it will continue.’
‘Why are you out this way? And on foot?’
His body stilled. ‘Rupert is about to meet Livvy in the woods. I came across a note from her this morning.’
Hattie’s mouth dropped opened. She should have expected it. Livvy was headstrong, but she also was young. ‘How long has this been going on?’
Kit carefully shrugged. His fingers itched to straighten Hattie’s bonnet. He hadn’t anticipated coming on her like this. Alone. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her soundly, but he’d made a mess of things yesterday. Today was about proving that he was worthy. Discovering the note had been an answer to his prayers. It was his one chance to show to her that he cared about her and her family.
‘I was occupied with other things and failed to pay attention. They have been communicating by leaving notes for each other in the circulating library,’ he said and watched her cheeks colour. ‘These clandestine liaisons need to stop.’
‘As I have discovered, clandestine does little good to anyone.’
‘Has something happened?’ Kit asked, every nerve on alert. She had to want him, rather than being forced into the marriage. He knew that now.
‘Mrs Hampstead complained to Stephanie, but I explained your proposal and my reasons for refusal.’ Her lips turned up in a mocking smile. ‘All is well.’
Kit frowned. All was not well. Hattie was being utterly stubborn. She refused to hear what he had tried to say. He simply had to figure out another way. And the first piece was discovering what Rupert and Livvy were up to.
‘In the note I saw, Livvy asked Rupert to meet her in the usual place. Do you have any idea where the usual place will be?’
Hattie frowned. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘Find out what is going on. The last thing I want to do is to panic them into taking drastic action.’
Harriet paled and he saw that she understood precisely what might be at stake. ‘My sister and brother-in-law wish Livvy to marry a title. Mr Hook seems like a perfectly acceptable man, but Stephanie is immovable on this.’
‘So Rupert informed me.’ Kit stroked his chin. ‘He might inherit a title if his great-uncle dies without an heir, but he has just married a young woman. He feels it wrong to make mention of something that might not happen.’
Harriet nodded. ‘I understand the difficulty, but it might do for my brother-in-law. What is your solution?’
‘A long engagement and Livvy doing a Season before the marriage,’ Kit said, watching her like a hawk. He had to hope that she understood why he wanted to do this.
Harriet clapped her hands. ‘Pure genius. It might work. I’m impressed.’
‘I can be impressive, given the opportunity,’ Kit said, making his voice become silk. ‘The alternative is a quick elopement. Rupert appears very determined. You know what young lovers can be like when they feel thwarted.’
‘Stephanie would never recover from the shame,’ Harriet retorted decisively.
‘Now are you going to tell me where they might meet?’
‘By the cedar of Lebanon. It is where Livvy goes to think. Stephanie complained about it when I spoke to her today.’
‘Now we know where they go.’ He shook his head. ‘I never thought Rupert had it in him.’
‘It sounds like Livvy. She loves intrigue.’ Her mouth twitched. ‘You have to admit that it was a pretty good scheme. I suspect even Portia didn’t guess. She can never keep a secret.’
‘Is there a vantage point where we can see the tree?’
‘Yes, up by the folly.’ Harriet pointed towards a gentle hill. ‘It is a bit far away.’
‘I brought a spyglass.’
Her mouth dropped open. ‘You are well prepared.’
‘We observe and take action as necessary,’ Kit explained. ‘I’ve no wish to interrupt an innocent flirtation.’
‘You seem to know all the tricks.’
‘How do you think I learnt to avoid them?’
She laughed. The sound rushed through him and the tight place in his heart eased a little. The crisis had passed and he started to hope that he could triumph. ‘I’m coming with you. If there is any confrontation to be done, I want to be there.’
‘I shall be glad of the assistance.’
Hattie walked alongside Kit. Her entire being hummed with nerves. She couldn’t tell if it was because she was apprehensive about discovering what Livvy was up to or because Kit was striding alongside her. She did trust Kit to put things right.
When he reached the crest of the hill, he withdrew his spyglass.
‘Are they there?’
‘Yes, holding hands and looking soulful.’
Her shoulders relaxed. She had feared the worst.
‘Then something can be done. I blame myself for this. I had all the clues and did nothing about it. Livvy’s sudden liking for the circulating library and your stories about the mountains of books that Mr Hook got out. I just don’t understand why Portia kept silent.’
‘What
