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Henry was disappointed that he woke up alone but understood that Kitty might not want to be seen leaving his room in the morning. He was eager to find her and to talk to her about their future. He felt privileged and honored that she had shared her past with him the night before. She didn’t need to worry about winning the tournament, because he could provide for her.
The morning was spent looking for her, but Henry was told by Patrick that she wasn’t feeling good. Luckily that evening she decided to make an appearance at the social party they were having. Participants were strongly encouraged to attend, and no one wanted to get on the bad side of the host.
When she and Patrick were alone Henry made his way to her.
“Lady Woolard.” He came up from behind her. “You are looking well this evening.”
She spun around, her eyes wide open and her lips in the perfect shape of an “O”. She couldn’t find the words to speak, so Patrick did.
“Nothing a bit of rest couldn’t cure. It was all the stress of the tournament. You know how women have such delicate nerves.” Patrick gave a chuckle.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”
Kitty hiding in her bedroom had nothing to do with the games.
“Perhaps we can find a place to talk?” Henry asked her.
“I’m certain we have nothing to talk about.”
“Do you want me to discuss matters with you here?”
Kitty’s eyes darted at Patrick. Clearly she had told him about the two of them. The older man shrugged.
“If he’s determined to talk, it might be best to find some privacy for it.” Patrick suggested.
“Fine.”
Kitty grabbed Henry by the hand and dragged him out of the main salon and down the hall to the library. He thought of it as their library.
“I don’t know what you want to say, but you shouldn’t. There is no reason we need to discuss what happened last night.” The words tumbled out in a nervous jumble.
“There is much to discuss; including what we are going to do going forward.” Henry argued.
“I’m going to play tonight and hopefully win the purse. Then Patrick and I are going to leave London.”
“Leave?” Henry was shocked.
“Yes. It has become impossible for me to continue living there when the risk of being exposed is so close.”
“Last night-“
“Last night was a mistake. A beautiful but tragic mistake.” Kitty said.
“Why? I know about your past and I don’t care. I want you still.”
There was silence for a moment, and he wanted to reach for her, but he could sense she would pull away. He continued trying to persuade her to accept him.
“You would no longer have to worry about finances. I could provide for both you and Patrick. I know how difficult it would be for you to part with him.”
“Provide for me?” the questions was spoken softly.
“Yes. I could put you in a nice townhome in London if you like; or find something away from the city if you want more privacy. There would be a monthly allowance for clothes and a household staff. Everything would be taken care of.”
He watched as her back straitened and her eyes turned to glass. Any softness for him was gone. She looked as if she were ready to flay him. That was not the reaction he expected.
“You mean to keep me as a mistress?” The words came out as a hiss.
“Well...” Henry hadn’t expected such a direct question. It would be impolite to say yes. “I would take fine care of you.”
“My husband gave me his name, but you would have me disgrace that?”
“If your past is revealed, it would be disgraced anyway. At least with me you have a future.”
“Only a man would see that as a future worth having.”
“A future with me is worth it.”
“I wouldn’t be with you, I would belong to you. You are no better than Christopher. That is not a future I desire.”
She turned to leave, letting her long hair sway behind her. Henry reached out, taking her arm and forcing her to face him again.
“You can’t expect another man will offer you marriage.”
“I don’t expect much from men in general. You are all the same. Now unhand me.”
Henry loosened his grip and she stormed back towards the parlor. He was too stunned to move. Then there was the sound of a woman’s scream. Henry bolted towards the social room and found people had gathered in a circle. Pushing into the center of it, Patrick had collapsed on the floor and Kitty knelt beside him, his head in her lap. She shouted his name and shaking him but with no success of waking him.
“What happened?” Henry asked one of the other guests.
“He laughed at something funny, and then he grabbed at his chest and fell over.”
That meant it was mostly likely his heart. Typical of men Patrick’s age. Henry knelt beside Kitty and bent his head over the man’s chest. He could see it rise and fall with shallow breaths, which meant he was still alive.
“We need to get him upstairs and into bed.” Said Henry. “We can send for a doctor once we have him settled in.”
Kitty refused to leave her friend’s side, even as the doctor examined him. The expression the doctor had was not good and he sighed a lot.
“I’m afraid he has had an episode with his heart. It seems to have passed and thankfully he survived, but he is weak. He is going to need to rest a long time before he gets his strength back.” The doctor told Henry and Kitty.
The rest of the party had remained in the parlor.
“But he will be fine?” Kitty’s voice was brittle with concern.
“Yes. As long as he relaxes and avoids stress, he should recover fully within a week.”
Her face relaxed and her eyes became teary. Taking the doctor by surprise, Kitty wrapped him up in a hug. Then he took his exit from the room.
“Poor Patrick.” Kitty was at his bedside, holding the man’s hand. “He didn’t let me know anything was wrong. I didn’t even think he was worried about the tournament. He let me believe he was enjoying the house party and nothing more.”
“He didn’t want you to be anxious.”
Henry remained in the room, to offer her comfort.
“Now I’m even more worried. He won’t be able to play and we will have to forfeit the prize.”
Her face had gone snowy white and her eyes were glazed over with panic.
“Then Christopher will expect me to accept his offer.”
“You could accept mine instead.”
“I would rather take his. At least I already despise him.”
Henry felt a little relief that she didn’t despise him, but he couldn’t handle the thought of her being with that man.
“What if you found another player?” Henry suggested.
“Christopher is playing with Viscount Andrews, who would be equal to a player such as him?”
“Me. I could be your partner. I have played the Viscount before.”
“Did you win?”
“No, but neither did he. It was a draw.”
“That hardly fills me with confidence. Patrick and I beat you when we played.”
“That was because I was distracted by you. It would be a benefit to us now.”
Kitty bit her lower lip and looked at Patrick, who was still sleeping deeply. She was afraid to trust him, and he couldn’t blame her for it. They barely knew each other, outside of one night together. After which he had propositioned her in a callous manner.
“I promise I will do my best to help you win that prize money. At least this way you will have a chance.”
“What about your sister?”
Rory would not be happy to find out he was going to help the person who had beat them but he knew she would forgive him. She always did.
“Rory will understand. She’s not as bad as she seems.”
“If I win, I’m still going to leave. I won’t be your mistress.”
“I know.”
Henry let her think about it in silence, watching her expression carefully. If she said no she would be in a terrible position, one he felt partially responsible for. He had only made Christopher more angry and vengeful.
“Looks like we will be partners then.”