Page 136 of If the Slipper Fits
“Even so, selfish bastard that I am, I made up my mind last night to do anything and everything in my power to convince her to spend the rest of her life with me.”
Kitty bounced on her toes, all but vibrating with excitement. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
One corner of his mouth quirked upward. “It means I’m going after her. It does not mean I shall be successful. I had intended to get an early start, and the sun is creeping higher as we speak, so if you don’t mind…”
“We’ll get out of your hair,” Zeke said. “But first, allow us to give you this.” He pulled a folded piece of parchment from his inner vest pocket.
Caden took the paper, frowning. “What’s this.”
Grinning ear-to-ear, Kitty answered. “It arrived last night. It’s from Lady Wentworth, addressed to me. In it she states only that she and Anna are guests at the Black Swan Inn, and that they intend to depart later today for NorthUmberland.”
Caden blinked. “But why would she…?”
Kitty lifted her chin, her expression one of feline satisfaction. “Isn’t it obvious? She loves her granddaughter, and she believes hergranddaughter loves you.”
“Huh,” was all Caden could think to say. Hope blossomed within him, as intoxicating as it was terror inducing. He raked a hand through his hair.
Kitty sent him an impish grin. “Did we mention we brought one of the earl’s best horses for you?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Anna finished her sweep of the guest chamber. Satisfied she’d packed all of her belongings, she moved to the bed and snapped her luggage chest closed. That was that. They were leaving. Time to crawl out of the pit of despair where she’d allowed herself to wallow since riding away from Chissington Hall—and Caden.
If only it were that easy.
A knock sounded at her door. Her grandmother, coming to collect her for breakfast, no doubt.
She crossed the room on stockinged feet, fixing her sunniest smile on her face.
As predicted, her grandmother stood in the hallway, dressed in a spiffy traveling gown of silvery-grey silk.
“Good morning. How was your morning walk?” She bustled into the chamber.
“Invigorating. The sunrise this morning was spectacular.”
Lady Wentworth regarded her a long minute. “Oh, my dearest. As bad as all that, is it?”
Her forced smile faltered. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
The older woman made a tut-tut sound and ambled toward the small sitting area. She sank into one of two armchairs.
“I’m old. I’m not blind. You’ve been heartsick from the outset of our journey. It’s one of the reasons I decided we should stop.”
She’d thought she’d kept her dismal feelings under wraps. Caden’s many admonitions she refrain from playing poker rang in her head.
“I don’t understand. I thought we stopped here for you to rest prior to continuing our journey home.”
She joined her grandmother, taking the adjacent wingback chair. She curled her legs under her skirts and propped her chin on her knees.
“I wanted to give you some time to be certain of your decision.”
She heaved a sigh. “You must think me a total ninny, pining after a man who doesn’t love me.”
“I think nothing of the sort. If anything, I feel responsible for your current state. If you recall, I hand-picked your young man for you after much deliberation. We attended the Fenton’s party precisely to bring the two of you together.”
“You certainly had me pegged. I fell hook, line, and sinker, whereas he…” Anna shook her head. The truth spoke for itself. “…did not.”
“Are you so sure?”
