Harriet was overjoyed by the news. Even though she would like nothing more than to keep Chester, wild animals, no matter how docile, did not belong indoors. “Oh, it was nothing. I enjoyed caring for him.” She gave a small pause. He must have gone first to the Hillstow townhouse. “Did you see my father?”
He shook his head. “Only Lady Hatton.”
Oh.“That is good then. You were spared his grunts and grumbles.”
He chuckled. “I rather enjoy them. In any case, I shall take my leave.”
Harriet nodded, beaming at her friend. “I shall see you out.”
“No need.” He motioned to Leeds, who was shooting daggers at the two of them. “You have other business to attend to. We’ll talk again soon.”
“Very well. Don’t wait too long. I want to hear all about your work and travels.”
Rohan inclined his head and took his leave. Was it Harriet’s imagination, or did the tension in the room intensify after Rohan left? She glanced at Leeds, who was as stiff as an oak tree. He hadn’t moved an inch.
Brooding eyes dropped to her bare feet. “Why aren’t you wearing any shoes?”
Harriet wriggled her toes. “I like walking barefoot in my home.”
His gaze lifted to hers, and some of the tension there ebbed away. “You are still wearing yesterday’s clothes.”
“I enjoy repeating outfits.”
He stared at her, searching,probing.
Harriet arched a brow.
“Do you remember anything from last night?” he asked.
She stilled. “ShouldI remember anything from last night?”
“What about Graves?” His head cocked to the side. “He is the one who gave you the gin, is he not?”
He knew about the gin?
“You came to my room last night,” she observed more to herself than him. He didn’t deny it either. That was the only trouble with gin. She could never recall the events clearly after she’d had a few glasses.
“It’s him, isn’t it? Graves. He’s the reason you boarded the ship.”
“Well, yes. It might have seemed reckless to you, but I did have a plan.” A partial plan anyway.
“On the ship, you asked me if I would break the betrothal agreement if you loved another.”
Oh.That. She’d completely forgotten her taunt from back then. Leonora’s suggestion fleetingly came to mind.Temptation. Seduction. Jealousy.She could say yes. She could see how Leeds would react.
No.
I can’t do that to him.Or to Rohan for that matter.
“I... do love him,” she admitted. “But only as a friend.”
“I see.”
“What, exactly, do you see?” Harriet asked.
“A broader picture.”
“Well, Graves is a friend. You have nothing to worry about on that score.”
