Page 125 of Kathryn

“That—that is a lovely thing to say,” Katie said, stunned by how good his words made her feel.

He was watching her again, wearing the look she’d once thought of as critical and arrogant, but which she now knew meant he was thinking deeply about something. How glad she was that she’d never thrown angry words at him about his expression during those early days.

Tell him that. This was what you wanted—to talk—so talk.

“During the early weeks of our marriage, I mistook your resting expression for arrogance and conceit and thought your gaze held only censure,” Katie blurted. “But I now realize your face is sternest when you are pondering something.”

His eyebrows rose. “I am glad you no longer think that. It is true that I take pride in myself, but I hoped it stopped short of arrogance.” His lips twisted slightly. “But perhaps I am wrong.”

“No. No, I don’t think so.”

“Good. Because your opinion is the only one that matters.”

Katie laughed. “Now that just might be a bit arrogant.”

He chuckled and Katie almost fell off her horse. “I like the sound of your laugh.”

Once again, he looked startled. Katie was beginning to think that nobody had ever given Gerrit even the mildest of compliments. At least no lover.

“Thank you,” he said a bit stiffly. “I, too, have not had much in my life to make me laugh.” He paused and gave her one of those heavy-lidded looks that felt like a physical caress. “Until lately.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The following morning Katie was puzzling over the letter she’d just received from Doddy. Getting any correspondence from her brother was a miracle. Deciphering it required an even greater miracle.

“Becky?” Katie called out, looking up from the chicken scratch.

“Yes, Your Grace?” her maid said, her voice as cool as it had been for days—ever since Katie had asked her to spread the gossip.

Katie set down the letter and sighed. “Come and sit here.” She patted the settee beside her.

Becky’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What have I done?”

“Just come here,” Katie said with an exasperated eyeroll.

Becky put down the garment and ungraciously stomped over to the settee. “Yes, Your Grace?”

“I meant to tell you last night, but we got home so late I did not have time. I changed my mind about Jasper, so you needn’t treat me as if I were a plague carrier any longer.”

“You mean you aren’t going to see him again? Or—or get your revenge?”

“Correct,” Katie said, amused that Gerrit’s word came so easily to her tongue.

Becky threw her arms around her. “Thank God you came to your senses, Katie!”

Katie laughed. Her arms were trapped against her sides, or she would have returned her friend’s embrace. As it was, she kissed Becky’s cheek and whispered, “I should have listened to you to begin with. Thank you for being the voice of reason.”

Becky released her and sat back. “Will you tell the master now?”

Katie thought about their magical ride home in the moonlight and the evening of lovemaking afterward and hesitated. “I want to… but—”

“You do not want to ruin things between you,” Becky finished.

Katie nodded. “I will tell him once Jasper is gone.”

“Given how possessive His Grace is that is probably for the best,” Becky said with obvious reluctance. “I think you will feel relieved after you confide in him.”

So did Katie. She wanted to tell him right now, but she needed to wait until Jasper was far away from Briarly. She changed the subject. “Can you tell me what this sentence says?” she asked, holding up Doddy’s letter and pointing to the line in question.