Swallowing down the bile that was rising in his throat, Harrison tried not to consider her offer. Was he really that desperate, that eternally heartbroken that he would even consider accepting another man’s child?
“It is rather difficult to do since he is already married,” she said, her lips pierced in discomfort.
“But why marry me? You could easily go away to the continent and return after months.” He shook his head. “No one would be the wiser.”
The fact that she would be so reckless, not only to become with child by a married man, but that she would also have the audacity to proposition Harrison did not surprise him. What surprised him was that she was willing to marry at all.
“Father has refused me any funds to rectify the situation or to flee until I am married.” Lady Selena tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Though some rumors are unavoidable, if I am your countess, no one will dare question the legitimacy of our child in front of us.”
Harrison stood, walking over to the sideboard. He was in desperate need of a drink if he was to continue their conversation.
Marry her, and all of his financial troubles would go away, but then he would lose Kat forever.
“And you expect me to accept another man’s child as well as a wife who would obviously still bed other men?” he asked before he turned to pour himself a hearty glass of brandy.
“It wouldn’t be a hardship. You would have my dowry. Once the child is born, I will continue with my activities and you can do as you wish.”
Harrison questioned if he could actually do such a thing as raise another man’s child as his own, and marry a woman who would willingly stray from the marital bed.
Hazel eyes pierced his mind, and he squeezed his eyes shut to rid himself of the image of Kat.
Pivoting to face her, he gulped down his brandy, welcoming the sting of the alcohol down his throat. “Is this what you want? A marriage of indifference? What about love and honesty?” He knew he sounded like a dandy, but he had spent his entire life loving Kat. He didn’t know if he could stop. Even if she never accepted him, the truth was, he’d always love her, no matter what.
“I’m not sentimental, but clearly you are.” She rose from her chair, walking to stand in front of him. “If this is about that ghastly Madame Delcour, you are welcome to keep her?—”
“Keep her? She’s not an object, and she doesn’t want to be kept by me or anyone.” The words were like acid on his tongue.
Kat valued her independence more than anything, and if he loved her, surely, he would honor her wishes.
With his decision made, Harrison tried to open his mouth and agree to Lady Selena’s terms, but his heart and mind would not allow him to move.
She sneered at him, throwing him a triumphant look. “Well, Belville informed me that soon she will have no choice but to be kept by someone.”
Harrison’s hand froze with his drink in the air. “What are you talking about?” he asked, a sinking feeling running down his spine.
“Your Madame Delcour is being evicted from her precious club. It seems that the Court of Chancery has ruled in favor of Pierre Delcour. I believe he is disposing of her as we speak?—”
Harrison dropped his glass on the floor and bolted toward the door. “See yourself out!” he shouted as his long legs led him through the foyer, out the front door, and into the cool December day.
CHAPTER 6
In. Out.
In. Out.
The room was spinning, and Kitty was finding it extremely difficult to breathe—hence she was currently focusing on taking deep breaths and exhaling. It was similar to the breathing the midwife had instructed her to do when she was laboring with Christopher.
Closing her eyes, she willed the room to stop the dreadful twirling as chaos erupted all around her. The ballroom of Pleasure House was a blur, filled with people she didn’t know. Constables, lords—friends of her brother-in-law—Pleasure House residents, everyone was crowded into the ballroom staring at her expectantly.
In. Out.
The piece of parchment in her hand felt like it was burning her flesh. This couldn’t be right. There was no way the Chancery Court had made a decision. Especially one that would take her home and establishment away from her.
The day had begun as melancholy as all the others had without Harrison in her life, but Kitty had rallied on, determined to always care for herself. Winnie and baby Reginald were a welcoming distraction, and they had spent time sitting on the ballroom floor, planning the Christmas Ball. It was a glorious afternoon, and she would be forever thankful to Winnie—though the visit did cause Kitty a little sadness.
Pierre entered, loud and demanding. He had marched into the ballroom, surrounded by constables and a few judges of the Court of Chancery, declaring himself the new owner.
No.
