Page 46 of Harvey

“Enjoy your meal.” She told him coolly as he sailed from the room.

“Oh crap.” He muttered, feeling his appetite disappearing.

*****

“You are very quiet,” Silas said as he joined her on the front bench.

“Just reflecting on the number of things we must get through before the Christmas season.”

She murmured lightly. It was late, but she did not want to go home. Her high spirits had been flagging since she started from the store.

“Or it could be the scene with my brother at the breakfast table this morning.” Taking her hand in his, he forced her to look at him. “I am aware things have changed between you, Kendra. It’s none of my business, and you can tell me to mind my manners- “

“It’s fine.” She told him softly. “He is a jerk.”

Silas grinned at that. “I would put it more strongly, but that sums it up. But the problem is that he is acutely aware of you, which upset him.”

“I want to be different.” She acknowledged softly.

“Different- “

“I know he has been with lots of women- “

“A few.”

She cast him a wry look that had him looking abashed. “I might have been brought up in the church and not in the least bit worldly, but I know your brother’s reputation.”

“The papers tend to exaggerate when it comes to reporting on people of means.” He pointed it out equably.

“I know that as well, but I don't think so in my husband’s case. Like I said before, I want to be different, which means not allowing him to walk all over me. And not ignoring me as he is trying to do. I can take care of myself, Silas.”

“I know you can.” He assured her. “And you are the first woman who ever had him spinning in circles. He has no idea how to treat you, which confuses him.”

“Then I will continue doing what I am doing.” She assured him.

Chapter 11

His body went rigid when he heard the murmur of voice just inside her doorway. He had left the doors separating her suite from his ajar so that he could hear when she came home and had been getting steadily furious and drunk during the ensuing hour and a half since he had left the half-eaten meal and made his way upstairs.

Waiting until she had entered the room and closed the doors, he pushed in and stood there until she noticed him.

“Harvey!” Her hand flew to her throat. “You startled me.”

“Who did you expect, darling?”

“No one. I thought you had gone to bed.”

“Where the hell were you?”

Walking over to the loveseat, she sat to remove her boots before responding.

“The Chapel”

“At this hour?”

She lifted her head to look at him. “I am not a child for whom curfew is necessary.”

“What the hell were you doing at the chapel until now? Or did you and Silas go somewhere else?” His expression hardened. “Did you return to that little room of his so that he could comfort you and share what a lousy husband I am?”

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