Page 33 of Read To Me, Lyon

She walked to him and patted him on the chest. “Learn and not demand. Just a suggestion, my son. Start again tomorrow. People say never go to bed angry. I say go to bed because you are only pretending not to be angry.”

His mother put the glass back down and left the study. Oliver sank into his chair. He wanted to wrap Kitty in his arms, but part of him was also angry at her secrecy. And the fact that she’d paid off her uncle infuriated him. Did she really trust Oliver so little? He took another sip of his drink, realizing he didn’t care much about the fact that she sold illegal books. No, what hurt and angered him was that he felt like he wasn’t sure if he knew the real Kitty. Who was his wife if she was hiding one of the most important parts of herself?

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning, Kitty made her way down the stairs to the first floor, nervous. She hadn’t seen Oliver since his mother had interrupted their conversation the previous evening. In some ways, it was good that she hadn’t. Their discussion had been close to ending in a full-blown argument.

Instead of going to his bedchamber, she’d gone to sleep in her own, leaving the door unlocked between their rooms. Oliver had stayed on his side. Kitty supposed it was for the best. She did want to discuss the illicit books with him further, but first, she’d needed time to think. It hurt that his first solution had been to step away from selling government-banned books. He knew nothing about it.

So many women relied on the books sold at Larson’s Bookshop. Kitty wouldn’t stop selling them. She couldn’t.

She reached the first floor and continued down the hallway. Chatter from Hazel, Julia, and Anna drifted out of the breakfast room. Kitty wondered if Oliver was in there as well.

Taking a deep breath, she walked through the doorway. Her sisters and Julia beamed at her, oblivious to the events of the night before. Eloise sat closer to them, and Oliver was at the head of the table, obscured by a large newspaper.

“I’m glad you made it to breakfast, Kitty. You must be feeling better,” Hazel stated.

She flushed. Would she ever escape her lies? Oliver lowered his newspaper slightly. His piercing blue eyes studied her. She wanted to understand what he was thinking, but his impassive expression revealed nothing. Her heart cracked, wondering if this was how it would be between them now.

“Good morning, Oliver,” she tried.

His eyes flared momentarily with warmth, but then it was gone. Hurt followed by annoyance coursed through her. Oliver had never been so distant around her. She didn’t like it. But it was you who kept secrets, her mind mocked her.

She bit her lower lip guiltily. Her husband’s gaze dipped down to her mouth, and her body began to hum. Desire didn’t care if she and Oliver were in an argument.

He cleared his throat. “Good morning.” Then he yanked the paper back up, and she could no longer see him. She glanced at everyone else at the table, who frowned at their exchange. Oliver was being intentionally short with her and not hiding it.

“Come sit next to me, Kitty,” Eloise said, smiling.

She joined her mother-in-law, who was being far kinder than she expected. Did she know?

The staff placed a plate of fruit and eggs in front of her, and Kitty ate, hoping Oliver would engage with her at some point. But he remained firmly behind his paper, apparently absorbed by current events. She wanted to stomp over to him and pull it down.

“Kitty, are you going to the bookshop today?” Anna asked.

Oliver clutched his paper tighter, and Kitty realized he was using it to ignore her. Her annoyance spiked higher. “No, I plan to spend my day here.”

“I want to look at the new books,” Anna sulked.

“We can go in a few days,” she assured.

Oliver stood suddenly, and all their gazes flew to him. Her husband wore a deep blue jacket and trousers today. He looked wonderful. She tightened her hands on her teacup, trying her best to appear indifferent.

His gaze flitted around the room before landing on her. “I have an appointment but shall return late this afternoon.”

She didn’t know what to say. He also seemed unsure and a little restless as he nodded to everyone before he strode from the room. Unable to stop herself, she rose and followed him out into the hallway. “Oliver.”

He stopped and turned back to her.

“Shouldn’t we discuss this?”

Walking to her, Oliver said, “My meeting is with an investigator.”

“I can tell you whatever you need to know about the books.”

Her husband shook his head. “It is to learn what your uncle has been up to.”

She blinked, startled. He reached out and stroked her cheek; sadness flitted across his face. “I know you didn’t trust me before, and we do have a great deal to talk about, but first, I’m determined to ensure he doesn’t ever bother you again.”