Courting Kit

Nanny hurriedly left the library at her back and charged into the open central hall, where she proceeded to cross her arms across her chest and tap one foot against the dark oak flooring in a flurry of impatience.

Everything she had feared had come to pass. There was nothing more she could do. Once they lost Kitty’s guardian, this day was bound to arrive. After all, their positions at Wharton were rather vague at best, as Kitty was not a blood relative to the late Sir Edwin.

It was several moments later that Withers opened the front door to greet his young mistress and her guest. Nanny stood, her fingers doing a dance on her arms.

“Well,” she said, her voice cracking with her pent-up emotions, “’tis time you found her!” She sniffed regally and attempted to maintain her composure.

Harry’s brow went up and said, “Indeed.” He obviously thought better of elaborating.

“I have been worried, my dears, seriously worried,” Nanny offered as she directed a piercing glance toward Kitty. “The sky does not, you know, appear friendly.”

Kitty took Nanny’s shoulders, dropped a kiss on her nose, and then led her towards the library, whose doors were still wide open. “I am here safe now, love … safe and sound. Let’s go into the library and …” She turned to Withers, who stood to one side awaiting her. “And if Withers will be so kind and have refreshments brought to us there … we can be comfortable.”

* * *

Kitty soothed Nanny’s frazzled nerves, patted her hands as she saw her seated and asked, “What is it, Nanny, dear?”

“Well, for one thing, you can’t be racing around all over the countryside in britches!” Nanny complained.

Kitty could see that Nanny was, in fact, far more anxious than usual. “There, there, dear … right, as you say. I shall try and not ride all around the countryside in britches. What is the other thing?”

Nanny took her hands. “Something awful … I never expected … well I did expect something, but not this.” She paused and sniffed.

“What, Nanny, love? Never expected what?”

“Mr. Harkins stopped by earlier than he had indicated and means to come back. His news … well, I don’t think it … well, it is all so terrible, terrible.”

“Mr. Harkins? I thought he wasn’t due till three?”

“That’s right, but just this morning he received an unexpected letter … from the Earl of Halloway!”

Kitty puzzled up, “Who is the Earl of Halloway?”

“Sir Edwin’s nephew.” Nanny wrung her hands.

Kit knew Nanny never liked to deal with anything out of the ordinary, but something in her manner worried her. “What is so terrible about that?” Her hand went to her mouth. “Never say we are in debt?” Then she swooshed that away with her hand. “But if that is the case … we will take it in stride, Nanny, and do what we have to do.”

“Absurd child, as though your guardian would ever have left you in such straits. No, of course, we are not in debt,” Nanny scoffed at once. She glanced at Harry, and then she raised a brow at Withers, who had just come in and deposited a tray of tea and biscuits.

“Ah, tea,” Harry said and filled an awkward moment. “I am ever so hungry …” He pulled his chair closer to the table and looked to Kitty. “Perhaps, if you poured Nanny a cup … she might feel better, and while you are at it, I wouldn’t mind one as well.” He reached for and swallowed a small cookie whole.

Kitty took the suggestion, saw Nanny sip, heard her sigh, and watched Harry eat another biscuit before saying, “Now, if we are not in debt, what is so terrible and why should a letter from Uncle Edwin’s nephew to Mr. Harkins have you so overset?”

Nanny sat back with her cup and sipped a bit more of the soothing brew before she eyed them a moment and told them, “I am not sure I understand it all, as it is more than a bit confusing, and Mr. Harkins, so kind, did try to explain, but he said he would tell us the whole when we were together.”

“I shall lose my mind,” Kit told Harry. He grinned. She turned back to Nanny and said, “Tell us from the start, and we shall pick it apart until it is no longer confusing.”

“Apparently, your guardian, your dear Uncle Edwin, made a change in his will.”

“A change?” Harry was surprised into asking. “What sort of a change?”

Kitty raised a brow and waited for her Nanny to answer.

“It is about Kitty,” Nanny said. “You see, Kitty was his beloved ward, but, of course, he has an heir … and that heir is the Earl of Halloway. At least, that is how he saw it.”

“What?” Harry seemed shocked. “He changed his will in regard to Kitty? An heir? But … he adored Kitty. Are you saying she is left without a home? I don’t believe it!”

“Oh no, no … but that is where it gets complicated.” She pulled a face. “Mr. Harkins told me that Kitty must be present for the reading of the will, which was not to take place until three months after your uncle’s demise. He will be back here at four.”