Page 87 of Better Love Next Time
Sir Jeffrey had five gun cases, and he hadn’t missed the rifled gun in the month it had been gone, but bartering with it had been foolish. If she hadn’t mentioned her folly to Julian in passing…
Her resourcefulness might be the end of her.
Kitty asked Georgiana the time and told her she must return by half past eleven. They picked through the woods and gallopedalong a pasture. Kitty squeezed Georgiana’s slim waist, her previous fears replaced with the pressing business of staying alive. Was there a pace faster than a gallop? Whatever it was, they raced like Pegasus across a meadow.
Georgiana laughed as they took a small hedge, and Kitty, delirious with terror, laughed too. When they reached Kitty’s lair in Eaton Socon Wood, Kitty had lost her hair pins. Her hair was a huge tangle, but she was happy. Happy to be breathing.
Tucked in the tree trunk, Kitty scratched the flint and lit a candle. Georgiana produced a flask. They sipped the whiskey, coughing and shuddering, as Kitty retold her story of the past eighteen days. And because she felt terribly guilty for ignoring Georgiana and needed urgently to recapture the intimacy of their friendship, Kitty included her nights with Julian.
Georgiana listened, biting her nail a few times and taking a large gulp from the flask at Kitty bartering with Sir Jeffrey’s gun.
“We must pray,” Georgiana said, “that Julian gets back the gun.”
They prayed together. A long silence followed.
Suddenly, Georgiana clamped her hand on Kitty’s shoulder. “Did you take care not to make children?”
Kitty’s mouth went slack.
Her friend shook her. “Did you?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know? Did he…” She grimaced. “Gush inside you? Plant his seed in your body?”
Kitty might melt from embarrassment. “Yes. I think so.”
Georgiana gaped at Kitty’s stomach. “Oh God. I cannot speak to my cousin on this. You must.”
Kitty wrapped her arms around her middle. “But how?—”
“He will know,”Georgiana spat. “Promise me you will demand he not gush within you.”
“I promise.”
“Did Julian ask for your hand?”
“In marriage?”
“What other hand is there?” Taking her silence for no, Georgiana smacked her palms to the lair’s packed dirt. “He isn’t going to marry you, is he? He spouted his rubbish on achieving his dreams. Family forcing a man to make decisions outside of his best interest. And you believed him.”
“But it is true, isn’t it? Family does change one’s priorities.” Kitty clasped her friend’s hand. “Please say nothing of this. You know Julian’s stubborn nature. Any coercion and he will sail off to an archipelago.”
“Oh, I could wring his neck.” Georgiana yanked out her timepiece. “Let’s go.”
The return to Notfelle was faster than a racing heat. After Georgiana’s lung-clearing hug, Kitty slipped inside the deserted hall and, hurrying to her room, chided herself for her fear. But it remained. In the nursery, she snatched a paper peeking beneath her pillow.
All is well, fairy. If I fail at shipbuilding, I can resort to a career in burgling. Renowned and profitable it will be. I’ll wait for you in the north wood by the stream.
Kitty ran down the front stairs. Crossing the study, she searched the cases and found the gun. To be certain, she withdrew the heavy, ornate piece and stuck her finger in the barrel.Rifled. Her eyes filled with grateful tears.
“What are you doing there?” Sir Jeffrey called from behind.
She locked the gun to its hold and turned. Sir Jeffrey stood inches from her. He pushed her aside and retrieved the gun, lofting it in his gnarled grip like a treasure most dear. He peereddown the sight, checked the firing mechanism, and wiggled a finger down the barrel.
He rubbed the oil between his thumb and forefinger. “This ain’t my oil.”
“Sir?”
