Free Charming a Spy by Elizabeth Chance Page B

she said in Kat’s direction and then paused for a reaction. Kat smiled sweetly back at her. So he’d been escorting Jessica Grier around town. No emotion. Do not react. “There was the most adorable child eating on his mother’s lap. Do you know what he said?” Jessica drew out the question, daring the ladies to hang on her every word. “He said he wants children someday.”
    Kat didn’t know how much more of this she could take. Luckily she apparently wasn’t the only one because Maribel quickly changed the subject. “Rosemary, I hear you grow the most enormous tomatoes in your vegetable garden. Tell me, how do you do it?” Rosemary launched into a lengthy monologue about the proper horticulture of tomatoes, which, while deadly boring, was at least more tolerable than listening to Jessica throw her courtship with the duke in their faces.
    The whist game ended when the men rejoined the party after enjoying their port and whatever else it was they did together. She had anticipated the men’s return and decided to steer clear of Geoff for now because her courage was failing and she frankly couldn’t stand up to him any longer. If he asked her one more time, she would make her outrageous proposal in front of the entire house party.
    Besides, she wanted to speak to Rafe Grier to ask him about the last time he saw Luke. She didn’t know Rafe well, but they grew up in the same social circles and it wouldn’t be improper to talk to him. Despite his horrid sister, Kat didn’t have any sort of bad feelings towards him. She’d danced with him a few times before leaving society and he’d always been very cordial, even gentlemanly. Perhaps he would have some information about Luke. She might not even have to go through with her planned proposition after all.
    “Mr. Grier,” she said, approaching him directly. “What a pleasure to see you in person again.”
    “Ms. Dubois, you grow more lovely every day,” Rafe said, bending over her hand.
    “Thank you,” Kat smiled. Unfortunately, she could not say the same of him, but the war did take a toll. “I am so happy you are home safe.”
    “I’m sorry to hear about your brother,” he said. She was glad he brought it up actually, because she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject with him. No way to avoid the painful memories… better to ask outright.
    “May I ask exactly what you heard?”
    He seemed surprised by her question, and most likely by her directness, but he managed an answer, “He died bravely. So tragic, so tragic,” he said.
    “You were in the same regiment as Luke, correct?”
    “Yes. He was a good man. Brave. Fearless. I swear he was the first man to rush onto the battlefield.”
    “Then you saw him fighting?” Kat asked anxiously. No one else she had spoken with who had come home from the war had even remembered seeing him that day. Each morsel of fact he fed her was a magical gift, a memory of her brother.
    “Of course.”
    “Did you see him… did you see him get killed?”
    “It was so chaotic. Men charging one another, weapons raised, so much bloodshed.”
    “You didn’t actually see him die?” Kat asked. No point mincing words.
    “Ms. Dubois, I know how difficult this must be for you…” he said, touching her arm gently. She subconsciously jerked it away… not trying to be rude, but she didn’t want to be comforted or treated like a fragile female. She wanted the truth.
    “But are you sure he is dead? I mean, you didn’t actually see him die, right?” She knew she shouldn’t push so hard. But if there was a chance for closure, she had to know.
    Rafe put his hand on his temple.
    “Are you alright?” Kat asked.
    “No, it’s fine, it’s only that remembering that day is so painful. Sometimes my head feels like it will explode with the thought of it.”
    “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Grier. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.” She’d pushed too hard. She certainly didn’t mean to make anyone else suffer. “I