Chapter Seven
Kitty sat in her office at the bookshop, thinking about Oliver. So far, she’d enjoyed her time with her new husband. He was far more attentive than she’d expected. She flushed, remembering the way he stared at her. It was as if his eyes were caressing all the parts of her body they lingered on.
They’d shared a few kisses, but Kitty found herself wondering when there would be more.
She wanted more. Was it too soon? Would he find her wanton?
Perhaps it was good that they took the time to learn about each other first. She still needed to tell him about the illicit books.
Maybe Mrs. Dove-Lyon was right, and he would be understanding.
She smiled, remembering their time walking in the garden last night. Kitty was still amazed that she enjoyed spending time with her new husband. That hadn’t been on her long list of requirements. She wasn’t sure why.
Her thoughts about Oliver disappeared when her door was thrust open.
Her Uncle Dominic stood in the doorway; his eyes glittered with rage.
Her secretary Shannon pushed past him to rush into the room, likely not wanting her to be alone with him.
Kitty waved her back out with a hand, though Shannon appeared reluctant to leave. She would not show fear to this man.
Uncle Dominic shut the door and smirked at her. “You think you are so smart, don’t you?”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“You married so I wouldn’t obtain guardianship,” he hissed, stepping closer to her desk but not sitting in one of the chairs in front of it.
It hurt her heart that this man, besides her sisters, was her last living relative. Someone who cared more for his own leisure pursuits than for her, Hazel, or Anna. “Do you care about us? Or is it the business and the money that goes with it?”
All pretense evaporated from her Uncle Dominic, and he sneered. “It is owed to me.”
“Father left you money, and you spent it all! You need to depart and never return. Not once have you grieved my parents.”
The fury in his eyes burned brighter. Her father once told her that Uncle Dominic had been spoiled growing up and had never understood why he needed to work. He expected everything without contributing anything. “Do you miss him at all?”
“Your father and I were never close.”
The words pierced her heart because no matter how awful she viewed her uncle to be, her father always loved him and wanted the best for him. “Please, Uncle Dominic, leave. We have nothing left to say to each other.”
“You will give me 5,000 pounds.”
She shook her head, incredulous that he thought Kitty or her sisters owed him anything. “Never.”
“I’m preparing to make an appointment with the Marquess of Everly. Do you think he will accept you publishing and selling your trashy books? Books that teach women how to be whor—”
“How dare you!” Kitty snapped, interrupting him.
“Is he witting of what takes place here? I’m doubtful. He looks so smitten with you. Of course, he would be. You make a nice presentable package, Kitty, even if you aren’t a lady.
“His opinion of me isn’t your concern,” she stated.
Her uncle chuckled darkly. “When he finds out you are embroiled in illegal trade, he will be horrified. Though I imagine it would be less scandalous than being dragged before the courts. Can you imagine what will happen to the Everly name if it is revealed that you are providing lewd material to the public?”
Her heart pounded because he spoke aloud all the thoughts she, herself, was concerned about. There was only one way to stop him from ruining her new marriage—her new family! Kitty needed to protect the secrets she carried. “5,000 pounds and you will be gone forever?”
He scoffed and glanced at the hidden door in the office where a safe was stored. “I’m privy to how much money is concealed in this room. I think that amount will be my yearly income.”
Kitty wanted to refuse and should have, but she didn’t. “Meet me here in a week during the evening after the shop closes, and I will give you your money.”
The fact that her uncle knew there was a safe with money hidden in this room made her uncomfortable, and she certainly wouldn’t open it in front of him.
Uncle Dominic smirked at her. “It isn’t very different from my agreement with your father.
Don’t fret. This will work out better than obtaining guardianship. ”
“Leave,” she snapped.
Gone was any bit of civility from her uncle. He chuckled and departed. Her secretary and her husband, who also worked at the bookshop, rushed in. Shannon asked, “Shall I summon Mr. Smith?”
She shook her head. Her uncle had struck a nerve. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right—the Marchioness of Everly couldn’t be dragged to court, and the illicit publications couldn’t be revealed to the public. It would destroy Oliver’s family.
This would be her secret alone. She could keep it for now. Some day she had to tell Oliver, but not yet. She would give Uncle Dominic the money and keep him at bay for the next twelve months.
Shannon and Jack both frowned at her. Jack asked, “Should we call Lord Everly?”
“No!” she said. “I will handle this on my own.”
Shannon turned to her husband. “Would you give us a moment, my love?”
He departed. Her secretary smiled at her. “What did you agree to?”
“Nothing.”
“Your father found himself embroiled in the same situation. Whatever he asks won’t satisfy him for long.”
Her worry exploded from her. “He threatened to tell Oliver or even go to the courts. I can’t ruin my husband’s name. He doesn’t deserve that.”
“Maybe you should tell him.”
“I plan to. I just want us to become better acquainted with each other. I will pay this once and never again,” Kitty insisted.
“Lord Everly seems like a good man. Even your father needed someone he could trust, and that was your mother.”
She nodded, and Shannon departed. Selfishly, Kitty wanted a small amount of time to learn about her husband and for him to learn positive things about her before she revealed some of the less savory secrets she held.
She liked Oliver. Honestly, Kitty thought she might be able to love him someday, even though she barely knew him.
Oliver walked with Kitty in Hyde Park. He glanced at her. She was a vision in a light blue dress that highlighted her chestnut hair and hazel eyes. He wanted her, and his desire grew more and more as they spent time together. Yet, truthfully, they’d been married less than a week.
She bit her plump lower lip, and his eyes shifted to her mouth. He hungered to kiss her in the middle of the park with everyone around. Hell, he wanted to plunge his fingers into her hair and draw her in for a kiss that left them both breathless. His cock begged to know her.
“Good day, Lord and Lady Everly,” two daughters of Viscount Hawthorne said in unison, curtsying as they walked by.
He nodded, and then Lord and Lady Tennison greeted him and Kitty. “Hello, Lord and Lady Everly.”
“Good day,” he said.
Kitty sighed deeply as they continued. Oliver suspected the title and all that came with it overwhelmed her. “It will get easier.”
They stopped and watched children racing paper boats along the Serpentine. “Do you ever become tired of being so well known or admired?”
The prestige that came with his family had always existed.
It was something he couldn’t fathom being without.
The Everly family had weathered many scandals and heartache, but they always presented a polished front to society.
“My family’s title and our role in society are something I’ve always accepted.
I do not expect you to be anyone but yourself.
I can’t imagine any other woman whom I’d want for my wife. ”
She smiled up at him. “You’ve just met me.”
They faced each other, and Oliver tucked a curl behind her ear before grasping one of her hands. He drew her fingers to his lips and gently kissed them. “You are the most interesting lady I’ve met in a long time.”
Her gaze darted to where he still held her hand. He placed another smattering of kisses on her fingers. “I desire you and often wonder what it would be like to hold you in my arms.”
She gulped, and his eyes shifted to her lovely, smooth throat and bosom. He craved to worship her body. He stepped closer to her and pressed his mouth lightly to her ear. “I yearn to have you in my bed.”
Kitty grasped his arm almost as if she wanted to keep him in place. His hand slid to her hip, gently squeezing it.
“Lord and Lady Everly, good day. Congratulations on your recent nuptials,” Lady Wilcox said, startling him and Kitty.
He moved back, forcing himself not to groan in frustration. “Good day. Kitty, this is Lady Wilcox.”
The older woman beamed at his wife. “I will send you a missive to have you over for tea. I know all the appropriate ladies you should spend time with and those to avoid due to their family’s being embroiled in scandal.”
Kitty stiffened but smiled. “Thank you, my lady.”
Lady Wilcox added, “The right connections are so important, especially for an Everly.”
His wife flinched, and Oliver studied her. She seemed uncomfortable. He’d grown accustomed to Lady Wilcox over the years, but worried she would overwhelm Kitty. “We must continue on, Lady Wilcox.”
“Of course, enjoy your stroll. Newlyweds are such a lovely thing to glimpse out and about.”
They said their goodbyes and walked further along the path. Kitty was quiet. He explained, “You can talk to whomever you like. Don’t listen to Lady Wilcox.”
“You can say that because your family is who everyone aspires to be. I’m new to your scandal free lives.”
Oliver considered her question. “We try our best to avoid situations that may damage the Everly name, but we aren’t without secrets or fault.
” Grasping her hand, he pulled her to a stop.
“Don’t focus on the lords and ladies of the ton and what they have to say.
Trust me, Kitty, I can’t fathom a scandal you might create that my family couldn’t navigate. ”
Kitty, surprising him, said, “I think I would like to spend some time at the bookshop this afternoon.”
Oliver nodded, but worried Lady Wilcox had made her nervous. Kitty didn’t grow up in the world of the ton. He suspected she needed to be someplace where she was comfortable.
The heated moment between them had passed. Oliver wished he could take her back to the townhouse and to his bed, but wouldn’t rush it. He wanted Kitty to want him and not feel as if the marriage act was foisted upon her.
“We will have the carriage driver drop me off and then bring you there.”
She beamed at him. “Thank you, Oliver, for being so understanding.”
“Anything for you,” he murmured and found himself really meaning it.