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‘Perhaps he is not aware of my exact circumstances.’ She blushed. ‘Godmama suggested we should not give out such information too freely. I doubt if she would approve of my telling you so much.’
‘You do not need to disclose anything further, Miss Wythenshawe—’
‘But I want to!’ she said quickly. ‘I thought it might help you to understand why, why I acted as I did. Why I was so rude to you when we first met.’
‘Very well. If you wish to talk, I will listen.’
She paused, gathering her thoughts.
‘I was very excited by the thought of coming to London. The gown I was wearing the day we met was a new one. It was my only walking dress. At that time I did not know Lady Leaconham, that she would buy me another gown and positively shower me with gifts and clothes. She is so very, very generous. I was nervous, you see: so eager to make a good impression when I arrived in London that I am afraid I quite forgot my manners on the journey.’ She looked up suddenly and said with spirit, ‘You will admit, sir, that you were extremely dirty!’
‘I cannot deny it. I had spent a night on the moors, in the rain.’ He spoke gravely, no hint of a smile, but she perceived the softening of his look.
‘I thought you very ill mannered, and I was afraid that … contact with you would make my gown dusty.’
His lips twitched.
‘I did much more than that, and I am very sorry for it.’
She waved aside his apology.
‘If I had not been so uncivil to you—! I was puffed up with conceit, as if I had been a very fine lady, which I am not.’ She settled into her chair, determined on a full confession. ‘If you will allow me to explain: Mama is the widow of a gentleman, a very good man, but unfortunately a series of ill-judged investments meant that when he died suddenly, poor Mama was left with almost nothing and we were obliged to live with my aunt in Fallridge.’ She held up her head and added, a hint of defiance in her voice, ‘Mama and Aunt Jane earn a living with their sewing.’
‘Very commendable,’ remarked Daniel.
‘Yes, it is,’ agreed Kitty. ‘Mama used all her savings to ensure that I had an excellent education and that I learned all the accomplishments a young lady might require—dancing, singing, playing the pianoforte. I speak French excellently and know a smattering of Italian—’
He put up his hand to stem this recital.
‘I have not been in Town very long, Miss Wythenshawe, but I know that many young ladies get by with far fewer accomplishments.’
‘Yes, but they have dowries,’ replied Kitty drily. ‘It is much easier to find a husband if one has a fortune.’
Daniel settled himself back in his chair.
‘Is that why you came to London, Miss Wythenshawe, to find a husband?’
‘Yes. Mama taught me how to make my curtsy to a duke or to an earl, to hold my fan just so and how to address everyone, from a duchess to a dairymaid.’ She took another sip of her wine. The sweet nutty flavour of the Madeira was very pleasant and she was beginning to feel a warm glow spreading through her. ‘Everything, you see, to make me fit to marry a lord. It has been my dream since I was a very little girl.’
‘I fear you are aiming at the moon, Miss Wythenshawe.’
She put up her chin.
‘Perhaps, but I have been given this opportunity and I must make the most of it.’
‘Of course.’
A little of her certainty drained away. She said pensively, ‘I am Mama’s only hope, you see. I have to marry well, because I need my future husband to make such settlements that Mama and Aunt Jane will be able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort. Mama said it is very important that I act like a lady, because she is very particular about the sort of husband I should have.’ She saw his brows twitch together and added, ‘I know, it sounds quite ridiculous, but you see, Lord Harworth has been so kind to me that Lady Leaconham is encouraged to think an alliance might be possible and she has written to Mama to say so! And he is her nephew, so she cannot think me too unsuitable, can she?’
‘Is that why you went off into the woods with Harworth this afternoon?’
Kitty nodded.
‘Godmama suggested I should be friendly, and it is not at all difficult, for Lord Harworth is most agreeable. He was most kind, explaining all about the park and the woods at Wormley, and the new planting he wants to do there—’ She broke off as Daniel gave a shout of laughter.
‘Are you telling me that he took you along that secluded path and did nothing but talk of landscaping the gardens? What a cod’s head.’
‘Why, yes, he—’ She broke off, her eyes widening. ‘Do you mean he should have flirted with me?’
‘It’s what any man would do with a pretty girl.’
‘Oh …’ She blushed, momentarily diverted. ‘Do—do you really think I’m pretty?’
His eyes rested on her for a moment, a look in them that she could not interpret.
‘As a matter of fact, I do.’
‘Oh,’ she said again. ‘Well, perhaps he did flirt with me, and I didn’t know it.’ She got up and walked to the window, staring out into the yard, which despite the late hour was still bustling with activity beneath the light of a dozen flaming torches.
‘What did he say to you?’ he asked.
She frowned, trying to remember.
‘I really cannot recall, we merely strolled along the path.’
‘And did he walk very close to you?’ asked Daniel.
Kitty did not need to turn her head to know that Daniel was standing behind her; his body was only inches from her own. She could feel his presence, it made her spine tingle. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on the view from the window and forced herself to stand still.
‘I held his arm,’ she said carefully.
‘But did he at any time stop and direct your attention to the view? Like this, perhaps.’
He rested his hands lightly on her shoulders. His touch was warm on her skin and it took all her willpower not to drop her head to one side and rub her cheek against his fingers. She was so tense she felt as brittle as glass. At any moment she might shatter. She had to struggle to answer him.
‘No, he did not.’
‘Then the man is most decidedly a fool,’ murmured Daniel.
The vibration of his warm, deep voice was carried through his hands and into her bones. Her insides became an aching void, the ache spreading quickly into her thighs. Even her breasts felt taut. She knew she should make some flippant comment, slip out from under his hands and put distance between them, but she was no longer in control. She heard herself saying, ‘Oh, and why is that?’
‘Because from here it is the work of a moment to turn you, like this, and then.’
Gently he pulled her round to face him. Kitty turned, like one in a dream, and obedient to the pressure of his fingers beneath her chin she raised her head and found herself gazing up into his face. She watched the amused glint disappear from his dark eyes. They seemed to blaze, burning into her. The aching void was instantly filled with white-hot fire. Daniel swooped down, enveloping her. He crushed her against him, imprisoning her lips beneath his own, his arms binding her close. She was overwhelmed, confused, as if she was flying, drowning and burning all at the same time. Her knees felt weak, she clung to his coat, and all the while her senses were reeling under the onslaught of his kiss. It was as savage and wild as the Yorkshire moors and it drew from her a shuddering response. When Daniel loosened his hold and raised his head she gave a little cry and threw her arms about his neck, pulling him back to kiss her again.
Daniel found himself locked in a fierce, passionate embrace. Being alone in the candlelight with a beguiling young woman was certainly a temptation, and he had given in to it, but he had intended nothing more than a light kiss. However, when he had pulled her into his arms all conscious thought disappeared and a violent, uncontrollable desire ripped through him. That had surprised him, but what had completely thrown him off balance was that when he had tried to apologise for frightening her, Kitty had pulled him back and shown herself eager for his kisses. He found her inexpert but ardent response more arousing than the practised arts of any courtesan. She was so damned alluring. Dangerously so. He summoned every ounce of his will-power to break away. Gripping her arms, he pushed her gently but firmly back into the chair.
‘Did, did I do something wrong?’ She looked up at him, her eyes troubled.
‘No, sweetheart.’ He dropped to his knees in front of her and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘I am at fault for taking advantage of you.’ His hands slid down and he caught her fingers. ‘I should never have allowed you to sup alone with me.’ Shouts and the clatter of hooves in the yard made him look up at the unshuttered window. ‘I only hope the stable lads were too busy with their work to notice what was going on in here. Thankfully it is brighter in the yard than in this parlour.’ He glanced back at Kitty, his heart turning over when he saw the anxious look on her face. He said bluntly, ‘I am afraid I may have damaged your reputation, Miss Wythenshawe.’
‘Because you kissed me?’
He squeezed her fingers.
‘Just being alone here with me is enough to compromise you.’
She considered this for a moment. He was pleased to see the bemused look had gone and she was more in control of herself.
‘I am sure Lord Leaconham and my godmother will not wish to talk about this evening.’
‘But there is the landlord, and the servants.’
She shrugged.
‘I am not known here, sir, neither are you. Who are they likely to tell?’
‘A few judicious coins in the right hands might secure their silence. Are you willing to trust that no one will find out about our being here together?’
She gave him a little smile.
‘What is the alternative, Mr Blackwood?’
He shrugged.
‘That we marry, I suppose.’
Daniel cursed silently even as the words left his lips. Devil take it, what was he saying? He had surely imbibed more than he had intended tonight! He saw her eyes widen, felt the little hands tremble and a moment later she gently withdrew them from his grasp.
‘Out of the question, sir,’ she said crisply, leaving her chair and walking away from him. ‘Why, we hardly know each other. And I am sure your family has no idea of your marrying a penniless bride.’
Daniel rose to his feet, not knowing if he was more relieved or disappointed at her response. Did she think so little of him that he was not even to be considered as a husband?
‘No, of course not, but neither would they have me compromise a young lady.’
She was standing with her back to him but at this she turned. The lighted candles behind her framed her dark head with a golden halo, but the shadows concealed her expression.
‘Then we must hope word does not get abroad,’ she said quietly. ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to—what is the term?—grease a few palms to ensure it does not. I shall retire now, and in the morning we may behave as if this evening never occurred.’
‘If that is what you want.’
‘It is.’ She added lightly, ‘Have I not told you that I intend to marry a lord?’
She gave him a little curtsy and went out, leaving Daniel staring at the empty space.
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