Page 161 of Kathryn

Gerrit’s eyes narrowed as he imagined his hands around the other man’s throat. He had never been so close to breaking his vow in his life.

He looked down at his fisted hands and sighed. It did not matter that he’d given his word to Kathryn’s servant; he always honored his promises. Staines had been lucky tonight. But his sort could not stop their scheming and manipulation. His vile deeds would catch up with him sooner than later.

He twitched the heavy drapes closer together. It was already three-thirty; he did not want dawn’s light disturbing Kathryn in the morning.

He snuffed the remaining candles and climbed under the blankets beside his wife. Having her in his bed, naked, was painfully arousing and his hand closed around his cock.

Gerrit gave himself a brief squeeze, sighed, and dropped his hand. The thought of bringing himself off was less than satisfying. If he could not have Kathryn, then he would rather do without.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“I am sorry I’ve been neglecting you,” Gerrit said to Amelia. In the five days since the fracas with Staines, he had been too caught up in several new discoveries at the dig to pay his usual visits.

Too besotted with your wife, is more like.

Gerrit did not bother to deny the accusation. The business with Staines had been nasty, but it had drawn Kathryn closer to him. It had also rid her eyes of the shadows he’d seen far too often. She seemed almost jubilant now that she no longer had secrets to keep.

Unlike you.

He gritted his teeth against the thought.

Amelia gave him the calm smile that had always soothed him. “I think you’ve been missing visits for a good reason.”

“What do you mean?” he demanded warily. Had somebody talked? Surely not Court or—

A strange expression crossed Amelia’s face. “I like your wife, Gerrit.”

Gerrit frowned. “You don’t know her—only what I’ve told you.” But he had been thinking that perhaps he should introduce them, as unorthodox as it was. Now that Kathryn would be living at Briarly she could hardly go on in ignorance of who was living in the dower house.

Yet more secrets…

He would ponder the matter before acting. Right now, however, he could tell Amelia his news. “Kathryn is with child.”

“Congratulations, Gerrit. You must be very happy.”

He was happy, although several unpleasant issues continued to plague him, throwing an unpleasant pall over his happiness.

But that was another matter entirely.

“Yes, I am pleased,” he said when he saw she was waiting.

Amelia’s smile faded and something else replaced it; something that looked like… guilt?

“Is something amiss, Amelia?”

“I do know your wife, Gerrit.”

Gerrit frowned when her pale cheeks flushed. “Explain.”

Ten minutes later Gerrit was shaking his head at her duplicity. “She visited you this past Wednesday?”

Amelia pulled a face. “Yes.”

So, his wife had not yet told him all her secrets.

“I made her promise not to tell you,” Amelia said, clearly reading his thoughts. “Please do not blame her.”

Gerrit was too annoyed to speak.