My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers 5) - Page 23
“You put great store in lists,” he said, visibly amused as he skimmed over her notes.
“Because they help me to organize my thoughts.”
He looked up at her. “Have you made a list for our excursion to France?”
“Only in general terms.”
“We should discuss our plans soon. I want to hold up my end of our bargain.”
Kate was gratified that Deverill hadn’t forgotten their agreement. “Where should we start?”
“For instance, will anyone be accompanying us? Your brother expressed little desire to make the voyage since he has a wife and newborn son to consider.”
“Yes. And Jack is in a similar situation. His wife Sophie is great with child and is expecting any day now, so he won’t risk a voyage.”
“What of your cousin Traherne?”
“Quinn was only married two months ago, and since he brought our parents’ murderer to justice, he doesn’t crave a more decisive resolution as I do. As for Skye, she would rather Hawkhurst remain in England for now. He has finally found happiness after so many years of sacrifice abroad in service to the Foreign Office. However, my uncle Cornelius is willing to accompany us.”
“I thought your uncle was a scholar. Searching for sunken treasure and thwarting pirates would seem contrary to his usual pursuits.”
“Indeed.” Her uncle Lord Cornelius Wilde was far happier with his nose buried in a Latin or Greek tome and had already sacrificed a great deal for their family—a bachelor raising his five orphaned, unruly relations as their legal guardian. “But he still feels responsible for me. Also, his new wife, Rachel, wishes to help me because I am scouting a match for her”—Kate paused to search for the appropriate description—“younger friend, Miss Daphne Farnwell. They know I will need someone along to observe propriety. I can’t very well go alone with you to France.”
Deverill’s mouth curved, but he didn’t rag her as she expected. Instead, he said, “I should arrange a meeting with Macky to learn what he discovered from his investigation of the shipwreck.”
“I would like to be part of the planning.”
“As you wish. It will be good to see Macky again,” Deverill said absently. “And Hawk as well. I have missed them both.”
“Has it been six years since you last saw them?”
“Yes.” He turned to look directly at her. “Did you miss me while I was away in America?”
Kate hesitated, not wanting to confess that her dotage had continued long after Deverill left her. “I couldn’t help but think of you now and then,” she hedged. “Especially whenever I saw the casualty reports in the newspapers. I didn’t want you to be killed.”
“I am flattered.”
“I was thinking of Aunt Bella also. I know how fond she is of you. I would not have wanted her to grieve.”
“Would you have grieved for me?”
“Well, yes.” She would have been devastated if Deverill had died, although confessing that would reveal how much he meant to her. “I did not pine inconsolably after you, if that is what you are implying.”
“But you did miss me a small measure.”
His insistence disconcerted her less than the intimate light in his eyes did. “Why ever would I? You made your feelings very clear that night. You didn’t want me.”
“You are being deliberately obtuse, princess. I told you I was trying to be honorable in not taking your innocence before I sailed away.”
“I suppose it was honorable of you.”
He smiled slightly. “Finally you admit it.”
Shrugging, Kate attempted to regain the upper hand in their conversation. “May we please change the subject? Remembering my abject humiliation all those years ago is not particularly delightful.”
“If it’s any consolation, you are not the first woman to come to my bed uninvited.”
Whether Deverill meant to tease her or reassure her, the thought stung. “Oh, I am certain there are legions of females flinging themselves into your bed,” she said tartly.
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