Besides, it was cold outside, and if he took her home now, the food would be stone cold by the time he returned—how could he even eat then?
Bert paused, looking at her. His gaze was deep, like a still, fathomless pool. Catherine spoke softly,
"I can go back on my own…"
Catherine hadn't really intended to let him send her. At first, she'd said Riley was waiting for her, but unexpectedly, Riley had betrayed her halfway.
"Letting a girl go home alone late at night isn't something a gentleman should do."
He said it calmly, without hurry or anger, simply looking at her with steady eyes.
He had his own principles, and Catherine chose to respect them.
"Then you eat first. I'll wait here for a little while."
When Catherine finished speaking, she saw a faint, warm smile flash in his eyes, though it vanished almost immediately.
He then set down his keys and came over. Looking down at her, his voice was low and gentle.
"Then go read in the study for a bit."
Catherine nodded.
