Page 49 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

Damn. He laid his utensils across his plate. Thus far, he’d managed to deflect her queries with vague truths. How to answer?

“He doesn’t own it, but has an important position. And yes, I did attend university, thanks to the generosity of a peer.” Not a lie; his grandfather had paid for his education at Cambridge. “Frankly, I don’t see why you wish to know more when we will be parting in about two months. I’m not one for talking about myself.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “Well, I only wished to start a conversation. If you would rather not talk about it, then we will not.”

“Not tonight, at any rate.”

Mittens began meowing loudly at their feet. Riordan was grateful for the distraction.

“I should feed her. What does one give a growing kitten?” Sabrina asked.

“Cats need meat, even more than dogs. We must inform Mrs. Ingersoll to add Mittens to the daily meal plans. We used to feed our indoor cats twice a day, meat mashed up with potato and water or milk. Or fish. There are cat meat sellers in the larger cities. They sell horse meat and other scraps especially for cats.”

“Horse meat?” Sabrina cried, clearly horrified.

“Well, yes. Horses that die of injury or old age are often sent to the abattoir, their meat put to good use for other animals.”

Sabrina gave Mittens a strange look.

“She’s a carnivore. If she was an outdoor cat, she would be hunting for her supper. Still want to keep the little beast?” He gave Sabrina a teasing wink.

Her look softened. “Yes. I want to keep her. She’s darling. As are you, for gifting her to me.”

Damn. His heart melted. If he were able, he’d cut open his chest and hand it over to her. For she owned it. Completely. He was in love. Absolutely smitten. It tore him in two that he was keeping secrets, but he was doing it to protect her. Because he loved her. He would not see her hurt for the world. How to convince her that she deserved to be loved more than anyone he’d ever known?

Chapter 19

Sabrina’s soul was decidedly lighter when she awoke the next morning. Though she didn’t wake of her own accord; Mittens’s meowing did the trick, but Sabrina was not the least bit annoyed. Somehow, the last pieces of the protective wall she’d built around her heart were crumbling away.

Though vulnerable, it was also exhilarating. Her emotions, often confused of late, demonstrated clarity of purpose. Her self-confidence, battered most of her life, had been repairing itself the past few years, and since meeting Riordan repairs had accelerated and now she was fully healed. All was right with the world.

Mary was certainly shocked to find a kitten making itself at home, curled up on the small scatter rug before the fireplace in the parlor. “Mr. Black bought her for you? Oh, my,” Mary murmured. Oh, my indeed. She gathered the kitten into her arms and nuzzled its silky fur. Already she loved this sweet-tempered feline.

The marriage to Pepperdon had done its damage, but she refused to allow it to ruin what remained of her life. Nor would she cling to the belief that her heart was so battered she would never feel again. She had believed she was unworthy of love, considering no one had showed her any different. But that was a self-pitying path she no longer wished to travel—Riordan had showed her another way to journey. As did Mary.

Embracing life and what lay ahead would be her new focus. Damn Pepperdon, and her father. Damn every horrid memory those terrible men perpetrated.

“My lady?”

Mary’s voice brought her to the present. “Sorry, I was woolgathering.”

“Would you like another piece of raisin pie?”

Sabrina placed her teacup on the table. “No, thank you, but cut a slice and wrap it in brown paper. I’ll take it to Riordan. He still has thirty minutes of his luncheon break remaining. I will walk with you as far as the school.” She glanced at the sleeping Mittens. “Will she be all right alone for awhile?”

“I believe so, my lady. The kitten has settled in fine. Though my duties at the inn do not include the kitchen, I’ll see if I can collect a few scraps of meat and fish and bring them with me tonight.”

“Wonderful.”

Mary halted in clearing the table and gazed at Sabrina intently. “You seem different this morning, my lady.”

“Do I? In a good way, I hope.” Mary nodded and smiled. “I’ve had enough of allowing miserable excuses for men to rule my life.”

“Good for you, my lady. And Mr. Black?”

“Gaining my independence means I will make my own decisions. I trust Riordan. He has not lied to me, not once. I care for him; I will not deny it any longer.” Sabrina stood and gathered up the remaining luncheon dishes. “Will you show me how to make an apple pie tomorrow?”

“If you wish, my lady.”