Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney Page A

size adventure. Apart from perhaps a gentleman stealing a kiss, what could go wrong?”
    Kiri could think of a number of things that might go wrong, but surely Sarah was right in this case. She’d repay Mackenzie, banish his lingering image from her imagination, and have an amusing evening.
    Racy, but safe.

Chapter 10
    Kiri peeked into her wardrobe to enjoy the sight of her domino. All had gone according to plan, with Sarah coming to stay and bringing her parents’ dominos in her baggage. Tonight was the night of the masquerade, and they were both brimming with excitement. A nice, safe adventure, and for Kiri, a legitimate reason to see Mackenzie.
    Needing to think of something else, Kiri settled at her desk to write letters. Her industry was interrupted by a tap at the door. She called permission to enter, and the butler, Holmes, appeared.
    “There is a gentleman here to see you, Lady Kiri. He won’t give his name, but he appears most respectable.” There was a note of disapproval in the butler’s voice at the visitor’s refusal to identify himself. “He is in the small receiving room.”
    Kiri’s heart leaped. Mackenzie! Had he spent the past two days thinking about her as she’d been thinking about him? More likely he just wanted his money back. Keeping her voice even, she said, “I believe I know his identity, so I shall see him.”
    Before going down, she glanced regretfully in the mirror. Her hair was neat, but her limited wardrobe meant that she was wearing a plain green morning gown that she’d left at Ashton House before she went down to Kent.
    Reminding herself that Mackenzie had seen her look worse, she descended the stairs. Trying not to look too eager, she swept into the receiving room—and found the Honorable Godfrey Hitchcock, who looked so blond and handsome that she remembered why she’d considered marrying him.
    Kiri froze, torn between snarling Hindi curses and stalking out. She had one hand on the doorknob and was on the verge of escape when Godfrey exclaimed, “Please, Lady Kiri! Tell me what I did wrong!” He drew a step closer. “I thought we were reaching an understanding. Then you were gone, leaving me a note to hunt another fortune. Yes, my portion is not the equal of yours, but I’m no pauper, and we both knew that. What changed? If I offended you in some way, give me a chance to correct my error!”
    She didn’t leave, but her voice was cold when she said, “You came all the way from Kent to say that?”
    “You requested that your baggage be sent here, so I decided to deliver it myself. It’s being unloaded from my carriage now.” Godfrey’s blue eyes were worried. “But I also needed to talk to you. I want very much to understand what happened.”
    He was either a magnificent liar, or genuinely unaware of his mother’s views, though it was hard to believe the latter. “I decided we would not suit, so staying longer would be awkward,” Kiri said. “It seemed simplest to leave.”
    “So awkward that you commandeered a horse and rode off in late afternoon with a storm coming?” He shook his head, unconvinced. “We’d had such an enjoyable day. I was ready to offer for you, and you seemed willing to listen. But even if you decided to say no, I’m sure you could refuse me so gently that there would be no awkwardness. Instead, you ran off as if pursued by demons.”
    She sighed, thinking he was more perceptive than she’d given him credit for. “Do you truly want to know? I doubt the knowledge will make you happy.”
    “I am not happy now,” he said tightly. “If you explain, at least I will understand.”
    “Very well. After our ride, I stopped by the morning room to tell your mother that I would accept her invitation to stay longer,” Kiri said. “I was considering your offer, but thought we needed to spend more time together.”
    “Surely she didn’t withdraw her invitation for you to stay longer,” Godfrey said, puzzled. “She was most hopeful that you