Page 40 of The Ones Left Behind
Kitty watched Matthias’s face. He had suffered so much and now his brother and heir was once more up to no good. Even Kitty would not have thought Henry capable of such a trick.
“Is the opponent dead?”
“He was not expected to live when I departed for here.”
“Thank you for making such haste to inform me. I will send someone to collect my brother’s belongings.”
“That will not be necessary, my lord. I have brought them with me.”
Kitty gasped at the presumption, but Matthias seemed unsurprised.
“If you would like refreshments and to rest before your return journey, Hayes will see you accommodated.”
The messenger, whom Kitty assumed to be a confidant of the Dean of Henry’s college, bowed and went away with Hayes.
Kitty said nothing, because Matthias was one to think over a matter. He would try to consider things carefully from every angle.
After a few moments of looking out of the window in contemplation, he turned back to her. “I should be more shocked, but I am only surprised it has not happened sooner.”
“Will he ever be able to return?”
“Perhaps eventually. A great deal depends on whether the other man lives or dies. He is not the Earl and has not the same protections from the law.”
“Even an earl cannot expect to murder somebody and evade justice. What shall you do?”
“The only thing I can do. Produce my own heir.”
Kitty felt a stab to her insides at that proclamation. Of course, she had always known that one day he would have to marry. The thought of Matthias with someone else was worse than knowing she had to marry Peter.
“Of course,” Kitty whispered, trying not to show her inner turmoil at the soul-shattering news. She cleared her throat as it tightened so she would not do something so ill-timed as cry. “Then we must clear up the misconception of our betrothal.” She could not look at his face.
The silence between them grew uncomfortable and it was all she could do not to fidget. She should have left the room after his words, but she felt stuck to the chair.
When she could stand it no longer, she tried to sneak a glance at him. Perhaps he been distracted by thoughts of Henry... Matthias was watching her.
“I do not feel inclined to do that,” he replied. “Not until I am convinced we would not suit.”
Kitty wanted nothing more than to be married to Matthias, yet she knew what it was to endure a marriage without affection. “I do not wish for a marriage of convenience, my lord.”
“’Tis not what I am proposing, Kitty.”
Her breath hitched.
“I want a real marriage and I intend to convince you.”
“But I am now your servant. My hands are red and roughened with work. I eat at the servants’ table!”
“Not by my choice! You know how I feel about that charade!” he replied angrily.
“My livelihood is hardly a charade, my lord.” She rose to leave.
“We are not done with discussing this, Kitty,” Matthias said, trying to scramble to his feet.
“Do not stand on my account.” She waved him down again, feeling guilty and frustrated by his stubbornness.
“You will always be a lady to me.”
She shook her head and hurried from the room. There was no point in arguing anymore.
