Page 72 of To Dare the Devil

“Foolish man,” she chided. “I am so happy I could burst, so there.”

She kissed him, waiting until he returned a pleased smile, and then hurried him out of the carriage.

The downstairs maid let them in, bobbing a curtsey.

“They’re in the front parlour, my lady,” the girl said.

“They have visitors?” Kathy asked, hesitating.

“Yes, but Mr and Mrs Oak are just leaving,” the maid replied. “Excuse me while I run and fetch the baby’s doll. Miss Beatrice got jam on it, the little dear. I was just sponging it clean.”

She hurried off, leaving them alone.

Kathy turned a panicked gaze upon Max, who snatched up his hat and gloves from the sideboard where the maid had put them. As one, they turned towards the door, but voices in the corridor behind them told Kathy it was too late. They were trapped.

Max reached for Kathy’s hand, holding on tight, as Grace appeared first with Sterling carrying Beatrice. Everyone froze, except for Kathy’s mother, who came out, exclaiming happily as she saw them.

“Well, what a surprise! I didn’t think to see you both today. But whatever is the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Her father and brother had appeared after Mama, their attention on Grace and Sterling, and instantly aware of the tension vibrating between in the air.

Kathy gathered herself first, forcing a smile to her lips. “Good afternoon, Mama,” she said, kissing her mother’s cheek. “I’m sorry to surprise you. We just had such a wonderful time, and I wanted to tell you about my new home.”

“Well, that’s nothing to worry about. We like surprise visitors. Especially like the ones we’ve had today, and little Betty here has been….” Mama turned back to the family in the corridor and her words trailed off.

The silence felt like a weight bearing down on them.

“We did not think you would be back until tomorrow,” Grace said, looking almost apologetic, though why on earth she should do so, Kathy could not fathom.

“Our fault,” Max said, taut as a bowstring beside her, his hand gripping hers as if she were the only thing keeping him tethered to the spot. “We should have waited.”

Kathy swallowed, too aware of her brother’s sharp gaze moving between everyone, aware of the atmosphere, but not why it existed.

“Bloody hell,” her father’s quiet curse was barely audible and yet cut the air like gunfire. His sharp gaze moved from Max to Betty, and she knew he’d made the connection. He wasn’t the only one, as Hart did the same, and his eyes widened.

“Hart, no,” she said firmly, but her words only confirmed what her brother had guessed.

“You son of a bitch,” he growled, and moved.

Sterling’s arm shot out, holding him back, which was some feat as Hart was a big man, and an angry one now. “Stay where you are,” he commanded.

Hart stared at him in fury. “But he—” he began, outraged.

“You think I don’t know?” Sterling shot back, his expression furious. “But we have resolved this between us. It’s none of your damn business.”

“He’s my sister’s husband!” Hart shot back.

“Yes. My husband,” Kathy told him, glaring at her brother. “I know, Hart. I know everything. I did before we married. This is nothing to do with you. Stay out of it.”

Hart let out a breath of frustration, staring at Max with disgust before turning to his father, who shook his head.

“He told us,” Papa said, his expression grim. “He didn’t tell us who, but he told us.”

“And you still let him marry Kathy?” Hart said, disbelieving.

“Kathy has forgiven him,” Mama said, her voice quavering a little. “And if Grace and Sterling can do the same, we can do no less. I think Max is the only person who has not yet forgiven himself, but that is as it should be.”

She sent her son a pointed expression, but Hart just folded his arms.