Read Fortune Said: A Valentine Haberdashers Tale for Free Online Page B

fingers through his hair. "Someti mes I think he relishes teasing you."
    "Of course he does. He's always been clever and I've always been... stern."
    "You're not stern. Not really."
    He looked up at her. "You've always seen the best in me, Grace. It's time I let other people I love see it as well."
    "Oh really?" She smiled. "Try not to give Whit too big of a shock. He's still recovering from a significant illness, you know."
    "Can you do a favor for me?"
    "Does it involve dusting?"
    "No."
    "Then yes."
    "Miss Devonport is in her room. Can you find some private place to chat with her and ask her about last night?"
    "Oh my. They didn't...?"
    "That's what I'm trying to ascertain. I assumed the worst and Whit has said some things - well, he's said some things that have made me reexamine my treatment of him."
    "Of course I'll talk to Sissy."
    "Sissy?"
    "You didn't know her name? It's Cicely, really, but she goes by Sissy."
    "Thank you, love."
    "You know you can count on me."
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Whit discovered that the pain behind his eyes hadn't been a headache per se, but incipient tears that started to fall as soon as his cousin left the room. He burrowed under the blankets and cursed this place. Obviously, it was the bloody red room that was the source of their problems. When he escaped it he would never return here again. 
    Fortunately he had mastered himself and picked up Miss Devonport's embroidery to contemplate by the time he heard a knock at the door.
    "Come in."
    Ah, his cousin had returned. However, rather than loom and lecture, as Josh was often wont to do, the butler settled at the foot of the bed with his back to the post, facing Whit.
    "I'm sorry about earlier."
    That was almost like hearing Josh speak a foreign language. What was the proper response? Sarcasm? Dismissal of the concern? Lord, please don't let it be earnest conversation.
    Apparently no response was required because the butler began speaking again. "Have you taken up embroidery?"
    "No, but I might. Miss Devonport's work is lovely. If I'd been clearer of mind I might have realized what her exceptional embroidery skills suggested about her history."
    "True."
    Whit paused, unable to look at his cousin. "Gideon will be furious if he finds out about this morning, won't he?"
    "He does tend to be rather proper about certain things."
    Whit nodded. He hadn't had any intention to get married. Ever. And Miss Devonport really was far too good a woman for him, not only in temperament but also by birth. However, Fortune was playing fast and loose with both he and Miss Devonport. Even without the virtue of a love match like Josh and Grace, Whit promised himself he would be devoted to her comfort and happiness. She deserved no less, especially from him. There was no way to repay her for caring for him as she had, but he could commit his life to the attempt.
    Girding himself for what lay ahead, Whit finally looked at Josh. "I need a bath and someone to help me dress."
    "Oh?"
    "No man should propose to his wife wearing a sleeping shirt and trews."
    "I wish I could reassure you that there were better alternatives."
    "It's all right. I've accepted it now."
    "Then I'll go order that bath."
     
    * * *
     
    Grace dragged Sissy out of the house on the pretense that the poor girl had been cooped up for weeks on end and would welcome even a frosty turn outside. Since it was almost impossible to have a truly private moment in the house, at least in the areas that the staff confined themselves to, it seemed prudent to take a walk.
    Once they were away from the house Grace said, "I'm not one to mince words or dance around a subject, so I'm just going to come out and ask. What happened between you and Whit last night?"
    "I told him how my family died and he comforted me."
    "Simply that?"
    "Simply that. I cried until I fell asleep in his arms."
    "My husband takes his responsibility to the household and the staff very seriously."
    "I had noticed."
    "If anything ever makes you