Page 25 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
‘But…’
‘I shall begin reading these ledgers here, while you find everything out.’ Of course Wareham would wish for more time if he needed to hide evidence, but he would have no chance if John remained in the room.
John looked down at the ledgers.
A few minutes later, Wareham set two thick leather pouches tied with string and stuffed with papers on the desk. ‘Your Grace.’
‘Everything is here?’ John asked, rising, ignoring the subtle insult in Wareham’s voice. ‘All I need to review these two years?’
‘Yes, Your Grace.’
‘Any omissions I may assume errors on your part then?’
Wareham’s jaw set and a muscle flickered in his cheek. ‘Your Grace.’
‘Call a footman to carry them up.’ John could have shouted himself, but he did not, to remind Wareham of his place.
Ten minutes later, the ledgers and packets of receipts and papers were all secured in John’s personal safe, in his rooms.
7
Katherine picked up the Bibles the children had been working with and set them aside. Then she turned towards the small altar in the chancel chapel where she had taught the Sunday school.
She was looking for something to do to pass the time while the congregation dispersed and she waited for Reverend Barker to drive her home. Her gaze caught on the open side door. John stood there watching her, his athletic silhouette framed in the arch of sunlight.
She ignored him; she had not forgiven him for kissing her, nor for forcing her to admit she had wished him to do it. Neither was a gentlemanly act. He had changed.
She turned to the storage cupboard. She felt his presence so keenly she could sense him smiling behind her.
‘Are you hiding in here, Katherine?’
Her heart thumped. ‘Working, John.’
His boot heels rang on the glazed medieval tiles as he approached. She spun about as he neared.
He was two feet away, his pale eyes gleaming yet unfathomable. ‘I was waiting to speak with you, your parents have left. I thought… You are not hiding from me, are you?’
‘No,’ she breathed, knowing she coloured.
His gaze swept across her face. ‘There is no need for you to fear me.’
She lifted her chin. ‘I am not afraid of you.’I am afraid of myself.
‘I would never hurt you.’
Her chin lifted another notch. She hurt because of him anyway. She had ached for him for seven years. Hiding was the only way to escape more pain.
He did not move, his gaze holding hers as though he could hear the words she did not speak.
‘I have thought about you since the funeral,’ he whispered. ‘I know I said sorry to you yesterday, but I really do not think I am. I wanted to kiss you, too. I have thought about doing so since I saw you in London. Why should either of us feel regret?’
She dragged a deep breath into her lungs. ‘John, do not do this.’ She stepped back and bumped into the shelves.
He caught her arm to stop her falling.
‘Do what? Admit I am attracted to you? I am, as you are to me.’ His head bowed before he had even finished speaking.
His lips touched hers.
