Page 65 of A Misguided Devotion

A hand reached over her shoulder and took the pearls out of the man’s hands. “Then we’ll leave it. Good day.”

Kitty swivelled around to see William standing behind her. “You have no right to interfere. Give me back my necklace.”

She turned to face the pawnbroker. “I’ll take the two pounds.” It was a paltry sum, and she had planned to refuse, but what else could she do?

“It seems to me you haven’t got anything to pawn,” said the man. “Looks like I was wise to offer—”

“No, you were not. This lady is of the first respectability, and if you so much as murmur a slur against her, I will see you closed down.”

“Now, now, young sir. There is no need to be hasty. I was just doing my job.”

“Lining your pockets at her expense, more like. Come.”

William offered Kitty an arm and, left with no other choice, she took it. They walked out of the shop and up the street at a brisk pace. When they were a reasonable distance away, he stopped walking and faced her.

His brow was creased with concern—or was it anger? “You said you had a purchase of a personal nature to perform.”

“I do—but now I shall not be able to replace my stockings or gloves because you have deprived me of my only means of paying for them.”

“I’ll buy them for you.”

“That would be most improper.”

“Then I’ll lend you the money.”

“Equally improper. I can’t accept help from a single gentleman who is not related to me.”

“Why didn’t you ask Miss Barrington?”

“I thought that was obvious. Everything Laura has comes from her father, and I don’t wish to be indebted to him. He is also an unmarried man, remember? If I let him provide for me, it would be hard to refuse his offer.”

“Then you’ve decided to turn him down?”

“Would it bother you if I hadn’t?”

“Yes. No one should be forced into a marriage that is not of their own choosing.”

“I agree, and I want to be free to make that choice—not pressed into agreeing out of gratitude. Which leaves me with a problem. My funds are almost non-existent. I know you don’t like it, and I can’t say I’m keen on it myself, but unless you are able to think of a better plan, please return my mother’s pearls so I can supply my own needs—if, indeed, the broker will still lend me the money.”

William tucked Kitty’s arm within his own again and marched off at such a brisk pace that she struggled to keep up. “You mustn’t sell a family necklace. We’ll find another way.”

She had an overwhelming desire to trust him. It would be pleasant not to rely on herself for a change. But what could he do to help her without compromising her reputation?

It warmed her heart to know he cared, but there was nothing he could do. Not unless he married her—and that would never happen. Though Kitty longed for such a possibility, she wasn’t naive. He was out of her class—and she was certain the notion would never cross his mind.

“Goodness, Will! What are you doing to your poor companion? You’re practically dragging her along the road.”

William cringed at the sound of his youngest sister’s voice and came to an abrupt halt. Now he would have some explaining to do. Somehow, he didn’t think Hetta would be fobbed off as easily as Anthony.

She stood, staring at him with raised eyebrows, and then nodded toward Kitty.

He scowled, but she merely responded by tapping her foot. He resigned himself to the inevitable. “Hetta, may I present Miss Lacey? Kitty, this is my sister.”

The two ladies exchanged curtseys.

“I’m delighted to meet you, Miss Lacey.” His sister’s eyes flashed up at him. “I told Anthony there was a woman involved.”

He hurried to disabuse her. “It’s not like that. I was painting—”