They fell into an odd silence, all of the Wyeths of Perth exchanging speaking glances around the table. Edward had the distinct impression there was something not being said—yet quite clearly communicated amongst them.
He shot an inquisitive glance at Kaitlin. She tipped up her chin in that daring, indomitable way she had. The look that passed between them was scalding.
“I’ll be just fine.”
“But Kaitlin, darling, what shall you do without me?” Violet wailed. “You’ll be bored to tears.”
Oh, he could think of something for Kaitlin to do. The prospects rained down upon him until he was swimming in a pool of possibilities.
He wondered how soon he could get them all out of the house. Perhaps he could help them pack—
“I don’t know.” Kaitlin pursed her lips to hide a slightly fiendish smile. “I’ll probably just do some reading…” She flicked a teasing glance around the assembly, just barely brushing him with it. But he knew it was for him. All of it.
And there, in the drawing room, over tea with his relations, he burned.
* * * * *
It took them three days to leave. Mostly because Tay and Hamish found an inspired place to hide. Sean would probably have joined them if the trunk in the attic could have held one more.
But Hortense was relentless. Like a general planning a battle, she took the reins, and command of every member of Edward’s staff. A flurry of packing and last-minute shopping—and searching—ensued. Everyone was so busy, including Kaitlin, there was no time for them to be together. Each night, everyone fell into their beds exhausted.
Except Edward. He wasn’t exhausted. He was restless.
Then again, he didn’t do much. His staff, however, was quite enthusiastic in their efforts. Perhaps a little too enthusiastic. As though they couldn’t wait for the Wyeths of Perth to leave.
But then, he could understand. He felt on pins and needles at the realization that soon—soon—he would have the house, and Kaitlin, all to himself.
Still, their leave-taking was surprisingly difficult.
They all assembled in the front courtyard that morning.
Sean and Dennis were sullen, but both Ned and Malcolm took it like men, shaking Edward’s hand and saying their farewells as though they were heading for the gibbet. Hamish and Tay simply wept.
It was Violet who nearly did him in. She enfolded him in an effusive hug and held him for a very long time. “I shall miss you, Edward,” she said, going up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He’d never had anyone to miss him before, so he wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Thank God his father had drilled politesse into him since birth.
He kissed her gloved fingers and murmured, “I shall miss you as well.” And oddly enough, he meant it.
She hugged Kaitlin too, with equal fervor. He noticed Kaitlin got two kisses. One on each cheek. “Do be good,” Violet said.
“Of course.”
Then Malcolm tried to give Kaitlin a kiss, and it wasn’t on the cheek.
She stomped on his foot.
“Come along now,” Hortense warbled, herding them toward the carriages. Edward had procured three for them, two comfortable traveling coaches and one for the servants and baggage. He had also arranged for accommodations at decent inns along the way, paying for their keep and meals in advance.
Not that he was worried about them.
But traveling could be dangerous.
It took a while for everyone to get settled—Tay kept trying to escape. But finally they were all ensconced. The driver of the first carriage cracked his whip and they were off.
Edward and Kaitlin stood on the steps of Wyeth House and waved as they trundled down the drive calling their goodbyes, still waving long after the last coach disappeared from sight.
She sighed. “I shall miss Violet.”
“As shall I.”
“I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”
“I’m sure they shall.” Far too soon. He glanced at her. “I’ve missed you.”
Her smile was charming. And a little naughty. It sent a thrill skating through him. “They will be back soon,” she repeated. “We shouldn’t waste any time.”
He threw back his head and laughed. God, he adored her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, right here on the street. But he couldn’t do that. She was only a companion, but he still had a care for propriety. “Let’s go inside.”
“Yes. Some light…reading, perhaps?”
He grinned. “Lead on, Macduff.”
Chapter Nine
They crossed the foyer and when Kaitlin would have headed up the stairs, Edward stopped her. “In the library, I think.”
“The library?” Her heart stuttered. That was not what she’d had in mind. She’d been dreaming about frolicking with him in her bed. His, perhaps. In the past few days, she’d done a lot of reading…about frolicking. She had, in fact, found a cache of books by Lord Hedon in the upstairs study. She had devoured them. And while they were all exceedingly similar, and somewhat predictable—about a girl who couldn’t behave and a lord to punish her—they had left her…restless.