Page 17 of Read To Me, Lyon

Kitty clasped hands with him, and Oliver couldn’t deny it to himself. He was falling in love with Kitty Larson. No, not Larson. Kitty, his marchioness.

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.