Page 58 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
Resting a hand on her sister’s arm in concern, Harriet asked, “How many times do you have these disagreements, Martha? Please tell me honestly.”
A long, defeated sigh left Martha, “Almost every night, Harriet. It’s become so constant that I fear it won’t stop.”
Distressed, Harriet asked, “But why, Martha? Why all these fights?”
“Its…his work, Harriet,” Martha said. “He’s under pressure from his Barony. Creditors are calling, but his tenants are failing to pay. He’s worried about it.”
“But why would he fight about that with you?” Confused about the connection, Harriet said, “You have no dealings with his tenants.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Martha said, a bit stubbornly. “I vowed to help him through all his troubles, and if I can help, even if to let him rant and rave, I’ll give him a listening ear.”
Pity wrapped around Harriet’s heat, “I’m sorry, Martha. I wish it could be easier for you.”
“It gets better most days, Harriet,” Martha reached out to hold Harriet’s hand with a cold palm. “Believe me, it does.”
Reaching over, Harriet dropped a kiss on Martha’s forehead, “I hope so. Will you be strong enough to come to the ball?”
“Of course, Dear,” Martha said, “Don’t worry about that.”
With her goodbyes said, Harriet went to her room, more perturbed about Antony and her sister. Her emotions did not lighten when she went to her room to see Lily there—Lily, her best friend, who would be shattered if she knew the truth about her and Daniel. That she was just using him as a means to a wicked end.
Lily looked up from a book in her hands, “Is Martha well?”
“Mostly,” Harriet replied, while sitting near her friend. “She isn’t unwell, per se, but fatigued. Apparently, one of the hazards of marriage is arguments, which she and His Lordship had last night. It’s one thing we hardly see in these books of ours.”
Looking at the book in her hands, Lily closed it, “These fictional worlds give us an escape for a reason—the harsh reality is dimmed in light of perfect love.”
Tucking her skirts under her, Harriet cast her gaze to the window, “Perfect love; do you remember when we thought that was a fantasy?”
“I do,” Lily replied. “Now that you have it, how do you feel?”
She nearly spoke, but the words trapped themselves in her throat. Harriet was not sure what to tell Lily, but before she could embarrass herself by stumbling over unsensible words, a knock at her door saved her.
“Come in,” she said, in relief.
When Daniel came in, clad in his rightful clothes, came in, she stood, “Daniel?”
“May I have a word with you?” he asked. “Pardon us, Miss Matthews.”
Looking over her shoulder, Harriet saw Lily wave her off and reopen her book. “Take your time.”
Taking Daniel’s hand, Harriet wanted to ask, but the stiffness in his face stalled her from speaking. Where had the mirth from earlier gone? Daniel took her to the same drawing room Ben had given them privacy a while ago, and closed the door behind them.
Before she could ask, his hands were on her face and his lips on hers. The kiss was sensual, possessive, as if he was staking a claim. His kisses were intense, but his grip was delicate while cradling her jaw. Harriet felt as if she was his, as if all of her had been taken and branded with his seal.
When she pulled away, Harriet didn’t go far. She only pulled her head inches away and rested her hands atop his, “What…” she licked her lips, and nervously whispered, “brought that on?”
Daniel pulled away and raked a hand through his hair, “Unfounded possession. There was no basis for it—”
Taking his hand, Harriet tugged him to a settee, “But?”
“But nothing, we’re still mostly strangers,” he said. “There is no basis…after all this, I’ll take the blame for our separation.”
“We’ve agreed for you to be a martyr,” she replied. “The scapegoat taking all the blame, and I thank you for that, but you still haven’t explained why you kissed me as if…”
He eyed her, “As if what?”
She bit her lips. “As if I was yours—which I’ll never be, I know that. There can be no notions of romance between us; we only have to look as if there is, but why did you feel so much possession?”
