A Matter of Duty Read Online Free PDF Page B

like even less the way I’ve been making a cuckold of him. There’s little honor in bedding another man’s wife, and I’ve been guilty of doing just that because I love you so very much.’ His eyes were cool. ‘Now it seems that that love has been a little one-sided all along, for if you felt the way I do, you wouldn’t hesitate.’
    She still couldn’t believe the sudden turn things had taken. ‘Kit, you’re being very unreasonable.’
    ‘Maybe I am, but I’ve realized that I can’t go on as before, it’s just not enough. I’m in love with you, Thea, I’m not just indulging in an affair to amuse my idle hours.’
    ‘I-I love you too …’ she began, thinking to somehow regain control of the situation. She put a hesitant, trembling hand out, summoning tears into her magnificent eyes. ‘Oh, Kit. …’
    ‘If you love me, leave him and come with me now.’
    ‘I can’t.’
    ‘You mean, you won’t.’
    She raised her chin defiantly then. ‘All right, I won’t. I see no reason to suddenly change things.’
    ‘And I see every reason.’ He went to take down his wet cloak, swinging it around his shoulders. Outside, another roll of thunder rumbled over the sky, and on deck the crew were waiting for him. He snatched up his hat and gloves, putting both on and then looking at her. ‘I think it’s time to return you to your carriage.’
    ‘Kit, when will you return?’
    ‘Of what possible interest can that be to you? Our affair is at an end, and when next we meet, it will be as acquaintances, and nothing more.’
    She stared at him as he went to the hatch and opened it. Cool, damp air blustered into the cabin, and thunder echoed through the darkness, rolling slowly away beyond the noise of the rain. He turned, holding a hand out to assist her onto the deck.
    Slowly she took it. Anger swept willfully over her. How dared he treat her like this! How dared he cast her off simply because she wouldn’t come at his whim!
    She said nothing as he helped her from the Spindrift and across the rainswept quay to the waiting carriage. She’d intended to give him a haughty look before driving off, but he’d already slammed the door and instructed the postilion to drive on. She sat numbly back against the rich upholstery, gazing out at the lantern swinging on the corner of the warehouse.
    He remained on the quay, watching until the landau had turned the corner and passed out of sight.
    A crewman was waiting anxiously. ‘We should be leaving, my lord.’
    Kit turned and strode back on board, his wet cloak flapping around him as the wind picked up still more.
    A few minutes later, the Spindrift slipped out of the shelter of Cowes harbor into the stormblown waters of the Solent. Behind, the lights of Cowes were invisible in the gloom, and the cutter’s sails strained as the full force of the weather caught them.
    The rain lashed Kit’s face as he stared through the storm toward the mainland. What sort of madness was this? He was risking his own life for the somewhat dubious honor of watching Tom Cherington almost certainly forfeiting his.

5
     
     
    T he storm had gone by the next morning, and England awoke to brilliant August sunshine. At Lawrence Park, the grounds seemed to have been refreshed by the overnight rain, and the flower beds in the parterre were particularly bright and colorful. The fountains splashed like diamonds and on the croquet lawn the white peacocks moved like delicate living fans, their shrill calls carrying clearly over the park and nearby meadows. On the horizon the outline of London shimmered in a heat haze, while closer the spires and rooftops of Brentford seemed very still and clear. At the top of the river steps, surrounded by flowering shrubs, stood a small summerhouse; in the past it had been used by elegant parties taking wine and wafers while watching the river.
    As Louisa rose from her bed, she looked from her top floor window and decided that on such a beautiful morning, poor Emma’s