Placing his head in his hands, Harrison released a loud sob, his body shaking with the extent of his grief. Without a single thought, she cocooned him in her embrace, sharing his grief.
He scooped Kitty up, pulling her into his lap, his head buried in the crook of her neck.
Kitty’s own tears streamed down her cheeks, dampening his hair. In his arms, her broken heart healed, the hole in the pit of her abdomen closed after all that time.
“He had a head full of curly red hair with your nose and lips and the shape of my eyes.” Her eyes closed, remembering every detail of their son. “His eyes were crystal blue, but the midwife said most babes are born with blue eyes, and they would’ve changed, if he’d l-lived.” Her body quivered with the words, a sob punching out of her. “I like to imagine that his eyes would’ve been green like yours.”
Harrison rose, cupping her face with his hands. “Oh, Kat. I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone.” Pressing his lips in a thin line, he shook his head. “I should’ve been there for you, for both of you.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” She placed her hands over his. Kitty had stopped blaming Harrison long ago. Once she’d learned of his father’s part in their separation.
“Is that why you married Delcour? Did he know?” Harrison released her, pressing his cool fingers to her cheeks wiping her tears away.
He wasn’t angry with her. She’d told him the truth about Christopher and he hadn’t left or insisted she remove herself from his home.
“Yes, my father insisted that you had abandoned me. My maid reported my missed courses to my mother. It had been over three months.” She pulled at a wayward curl hanging in her face. It had been years since Kitty had thought on those dark days of her life. “Your family had rushed off in the middle of the night after your father inherited the earldom.”
Throwing his head back, Harrison released a weary sigh. “From the moment we inherited that blasted title, my entire family changed. Once we reached Nealworth Manor, my father locked me in my rooms for months. When I was finally released, you had married Delcour.” He pressed a hand to his forehead, rubbing it as if he had a headache. “I was too late. Because of them, you had to endure the birth and death of our son alone.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
His body shook anew as a fresh wave of grief assaulted him. Kitty ran her hands up and down his shirt, trying to give him some semblance of comfort.
“Surprisingly, I wasn’t alone. Lilias was by my side during my labor and after Christopher died.” The one kind act that Lilias had ever shown Kitty had been standing by her side during the most difficult time of her life.
Because of that kindness, she’d allowed the other woman to stay at Pleasure House.
“Was Delcour kind to you?” he asked, a hesitant look on his handsome face.
Rising, Kitty strolled over to stare out the window that overlooked the small garden of Hendershot House. “Jacques did not have a cruel bone in his body. I believe he thought having a wife and a child could save him from his hunger of women, but marrying me only delayed it for about two months.” She laughed, looking over her shoulder at him. “He was my friend more than he was my husband. In the end, I’m thankful that he left me Pleasure House and saved me.”
Being a Madame, Kitty had witnessed how cruelly their world treated unprotected women. Because of Jacques, Kitty and her unborn child had a home.
Harrison joined her by the window, taking her in his arms. “I’m thankful that you had Delcour. I just wish it was me,” he whispered, pressing his head to hers.
“You’re here now.” Kitty pressed a light kiss to his lips. “I was so afraid that you would be angry with me when you learned the truth about Christopher.”
He shook his head, bringing her hands to his chest. His green eyes filled with regret and sincerity. “I could never be angry with you. I’m angry with myself for allowing us to be separated.”
Kitty wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him to her. “I won’t allow you to be angry at yourself. We were young, and forces bigger than us conspired to keep us a part.”
His hands tightened on her waist. “I won’t allow anyone else to come between us ever again.” He captured her lips with his in a brief but passionate kiss. “Marry me Kat,” he begged. “You can keep your fortune. I’ll ensure that the marriage settlement clearly states that Pleasure House and all your funds will remain solely yours. I will make no claim of it, ever.”
She stumbled back, shocked by his declaration. “You’d do that for me? What about saving the earldom?”
“The earldom can hang for all I care.” He grasped her by her nape, dragging her to him. “This is all I care about. You and me, our life together and honoring our son is all that matters.” He placed a gentle kiss to her lips, causing fresh tears to fall anew. “I’d do anything as long as I am able spend the rest of my life beside you.”
“Oh, Harrison. I love you.” She threw her body against his, happiness bubbling up inside of her.
Never in her life had Kitty allowed herself to hope that she could have both Pleasure House and Harrison, but now the impossible would become her reality.
CHAPTER 12
The cool December air whipped across Kitty’s skin as she and Harrison ran through the gardens of Pleasure House. She stopped beside the shed, the loud sound of music and debauchery floating in the air.
Couples were scattered on the balcony, the doors of the ballroom opened. Kitty frowned. She would never have the doors open during the winter, letting out the heat. What on earth was Pierre thinking with the price of coal being outrageous?
“Dear God, you should wear breeches all the time,” Harrison whispered against her ear, one of his hands roaming her curves.
They left their cloaks and greatcoats in the carriage, preferring not to be hindered as they maneuvered around Pleasure House.
