Page 70 of A Countess Never Tells

Kitty had settled down on the chaise, which gave her good light for reading for several hours. “That one’s rather grand for just the family.” She hadn’t worn that gown since they’d left London. “The pink muslin will be fine.”

“But there’s to be a guest for dinner tonight, miss.” Jolly was beside herself, looking as though she might burst at any minute.

“There is?” Kitty sat up so abruptly her neck popped. She stared at Jolly, trying to remain calm. “Who is it?”

“Lord Ashwood.”

Unable to move a muscle, Kitty scarcely breathed as she tried to take that information in. When she could finally collect herself and speak, she asked, “Are you certain?”

Nodding, Jolly came close and put a supporting hand on Kitty’s shoulder. “I saw him, miss. I was bringing up your linens from the wash, and I heard the front door knocker. We haven’t had a soul visit here for over a week, so I was curious to see who it was. Barr opened the door and there he stood, just as calm as though he called every day.”

Trembling as though it were the dead of winter and not the middle of August, Kitty clasped her hands together to still their shaking. It was really Ash. Dear Lord, what would she say to him? How did one talk normally to a gentleman to whom one was once affianced? And why on earth was he here? “Where is he, Jolly?”

“Mr. Barr put him in the largest guest room.”

That was the room called King of Prussia, for some unknown reason. All the way down at the end of the gentlemen’s corridor, quite isolated from the rest of the house. But that wasn’t what she’d meant. “Where did he go? Is he in his room now?”

“No, miss. When he was announced, Lord Haxby took him into the study. They’ve been there for almost an hour.” Jolly shifted from one foot to the other. “Shall I lay out the blue, miss?”

“Yes, of course,” she spoke automatically, her mind still grappling with the idea that Ash was here, in the house. The question now was why. Kitty rose. “I’m going down there.”

“Lord, miss, not looking like you just came out of the creek.” Jolly’s scandalized look steadied Kitty.

She laughed. “I have just come from the creek.” She glanced down at her green-striped day dress, hem wet and muddy. Not the image she wished to present to an old friend. “Perhaps I should change.”

“Yes, miss.” The maid hurried into the dressing room and returned with a clean and freshly pressed white linen gown with tiny blue fleur de lis scattered all over it.

It was a gown she’d only worn once. One Ash hadn’t seen her in. She nodded, feeling like a fool, but unable to help herself. “Help me change, Jolly.”

Less than fifteen minutes later, the maid was putting the finishing touches on Kitty’s hair, tucking it up underneath a white lace pinner cap. “There you are, miss.” Jolly stepped back, admiring her work. “You’ll take his breath away.”

Nervously, Kitty smiled at the maid. She wasn’t quite certain she wanted to make Ash awestruck. But best to have every weapon in your arsenal ready. She nodded, pulled her shawl around her shoulders, and went down.

The house was quiet as Kitty descended the grand staircase, a main set of stairs that split off at the first landing, each curving staircase then continuing to the first floor on either side of the staircase. Haxby Hall was terribly grand, but she was getting used to it. At least she’d finally learned to navigate her way around the house. At the bottom of the staircase, she took the right-hand corridor, which led to the breakfast room on the left and John’s office on the right.

Heart in her throat, Kitty laid her ear against the panel but could hear nothing. Very well, she would have to go ahead and knock. It took her a full minute to raise her hand and another to actually knock. The rap echoed through the room. Kitty winced. She hadn’t meant to knock quite so loudly.

“Come.”

Steeling herself, Kitty depressed the latch and pushed the door open.

John stood at the sideboard, a tumbler in his hand, a half-smile on his face. Beside him, also with a glass in hand, stood Ash.

Kitty had to stop a moment, simply to register that it was him. The blond hair was curled now and pulled back at his nape with a colorful ribbon. His suit was new or at least Kitty hadn’t seen it before. It was excellently cut, all three pieces of a sage green color with elaborate gold braid and embroidery along the jacket front, cuffs, and collar. A wide cravat was carefully looped around his neck, the ends tucked neatly in. His brilliant blue eyes were taking her in as well, and his sensual, full-lipped mouth—

She had to look away before she began to drool. This was bad. Even though she’d imagined this meeting time after time, she’d always believed she would comport herself with a cool demeanor that would give Ash to believe she didn’t still harbor feelings for him. Now, unless he’d been struck blind, that secret was no more.

He set the glass down and came toward her, hands outstretched. “Kitty. I am so very happy to see you again, my dear.” His lips grazed her cheek, and she commenced to trembling.

Tears pricked her eyes—oh, but she’d give anything not to cry at this moment. Might as well wish for the moon. “I am glad to see you again too, Ash.”

He produced a handkerchief and proceeded to dry her tears. “You are looking marvelously well.”

She waited for his typically roguish comment, such as “Good enough to eat,” but he simply put his handkerchief away again. Some of the lightness of the meeting dimmed. Ash had, apparently, moved past their flirtation.

“Thank you. I…I was thinking the same of you.”

He grinned, and that was the same, thank goodness.