Page 70 of A Misguided Devotion

“That doesn’t mean she won’t have you if you offer for her.”

“An offer I have no intention of making.”

“Then the flirting was all for show?”

He screwed up his forehead. “I was desperate to get the expression I needed—for the painting.”

“You succeeded—but was it worth the risk?”

“It will be when the portrait is displayed in the Royal Academy exhibition next year.”

Why wouldn’t he acknowledge the danger he was in? “Even if you end up with a wife you don’t care for?”

“It won’t come to that. I’ll be gone before long.”

“When? Tomorrow?”

William hesitated. “No. Not that soon. I promised to take you to see the parish records. I’d hoped we could go today, but the opportunity didn’t arise.”

The sincerity in his voice tugged at her heartstrings, but she refused to let his words change her resolve. It was more important he escaped from the web Mr Barrington had woven around him before he was trapped into marrying Laura. He must leave.

The weight of her decision hit her like a mail coach. If William left, she would never see him again, and until faced with a future without him, she hadn’t known how bleak it would look.

She’d told herself not to fall in love, but her heart hadn’t listened. As she examined the feelings that had been steadily growing inside her, Kitty realised she loved William so deeply she couldn’t see the bottom. The thought of him leaving did things to her insides that she didn’t know were possible.

But he would never be hers. She would never be more to him than a friend—and she was not even sure she was that, given that he hadn’t trusted her with the truth about who he was.

She had to set him free. It would cost her, but it had to be said, though her heart cracked with every word.

She lifted a hand to his cheek and held it there for a moment.

“I release you from your promise. Go tomorrow—before it’s too late.”

Chapter 21

It irked William that Kitty was trying to get rid of him. Was it necessary to leave at once? Wasn’t she overstating the danger? Mr Barrington had encouraged him to spend time with his daughter and made no secret of his wishes in that regard, but he’d exerted no pressure on him to offer for her.

Kitty might release him from his promise, but he needed to prove he was a man of his word. To restore the damage to their friendship caused by his concealing his title. He would take her to see the parish records, even if it meant going against her wishes. What trouble could another day bring?

Miss Barrington did not join them at dinner, but her father made up for her absence by asking William’s opinion about redesigning his garden and filling in the gaps in conversation with a steady flow of anecdotes.

Contrary to their usual habit of withdrawing with the ladies after the meal, he encouraged Kitty to leave them to their wine.

“I understand the portrait is finished,” said Mr Barrington as he closed the door behind her. “Are you pleased with the result?”

“I am. It is the best I’ve ever painted.”

The man poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to him. “Helped by the loveliness of your sitter?”

William bowed his head. “Indeed. I have every hope the painting will be lauded at the Royal Academy exhibition next year. Your daughter’s beauty is destined to be the talk of London.”

Mr Barrington stroked his chin. “You mean to display the portrait in public?”

Hadn’t he mentioned his intent at the outset? “With your permission.”

“Hmm. I’ll have to think about that…”

William’s chest tightened. It had never occurred to him that the man might object to the painting going in the exhibition. He couldn’t imagine Thomas Lawrence having issues with obtaining consent to show his work in public.