“A key. A gold skeleton-type key. What do I do with it? How do I get it to take me home? I believe him about you coming from the future. You speak differently than the others. So does he. None of this is a coincidence—and he knows it.”
“He spent eight years in my care before he joined the fight against the French.”
“Eight years of being forbidden to dance?”
Harper raised an eyebrow at her. “That’s right. As for the key, you must find the right door.”
Obviously, Aria scoffed to herself while her teeth chattered.
“Why don’t we go inside where it’s warm,” Will suggested.
Aria thought about a burning stake with her tied to it. “A few more minutes, Will,” she said and turned back to Harper. It was cold up here above the sea. She’d have to hurry. “Do you have any idea why the surname Blagden would affect him?”
Harper’s pretty features froze up before she slipped her gaze to Will. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer your questions if we aren’t alone.”
Aria tried to protest. She trusted Will not to betray her. He’d done a lot for her, and she wouldn’t stand by while he was mistreated. “But he’s—”
“He’s unfortunately the brother of Gray—the marquess’ worst enemy,” the woman who raised the marquess said. “He would consider it a betrayal if I were to speak of him to a Gable.” She shook her head and sucked her teeth. “It’s really a pity that you met a Gable first—and the kind brother, no less. Now, I can’t confide in you because you’ll confide—” She flicked her gaze to Will—“in him.”
Aria gaped at her as Harper spoke and then headed for the castle door. Did everyone here specialize in rudeness?
She’d forgotten that there was a reason that the marquess didn’t like the Gables—and a reason the Gables didn’t like the marquess. No matter what Will said to the contrary, she knew it would have been hard—maybe impossible—to forgive the person accused of being responsible for his father’s death. She imagined that every time Will witnessed his mother with less than enough on the table, he hated the marquess as much as his brother did.
She followed Will inside and back downstairs. While he was helping her into her coat, the castle doors opened, and Harry Gable stepped inside bringing the cold with him. “Ahh, Miss Darling,” he drawled, heading for her. Will tried to head him off but was too late. The marquess was not.
“Show Harry Gable out,” he called to the guards who hurried to his side.
“No need,” Harry chuckled. “I have come to bring my brother and his guest home. She insisted on attending to see you dance. Well, lady, what did you think of the spectacle?”
Aria could feel the marquess’ piercing eyes on her. He stared so obviously at her, not caring about the whispers around them. Aria knew what Harry was doing here. They’d made a deal. She was supposed to laugh at the marquess’ dancing abilities or risk being thrown out of Mrs. Gable’s warm house.
She turned her head to meet his seafoam gaze. She smiled, but she couldn’t laugh—not at something so important in someone’s life.
“I think he’s quite astounding and original,” she said truthfully, then shared a hint of a smile with him. “In fact, he’s Romeo in every girl’s dreams.”
She closed her eyes and swallowed when Harry’s face went red, all except his scars. She hoped Will defended her and kept her from sleeping outside.
“Miss Darling,” Harry ground out through clenched teeth. “I’m afraid a wild animal broke through your window and tore your bed to shreds for some strange reason. Who knows why stupid animals do what they do, eh?” He set his disgusted expression on the marquess.
“Miss Darling can stay here until she returns home.” The marquess stunned the crowd and seemingly himself when he spoke. “I have many beds.”
“My lord,” Will seemed the most surprised, “for the good of Miss Darling’s reputation, I cannot agree to her remaining here with you without any escort.”
“Very well,” the marquess allowed. “Your sister, Sarah may stay and see to her and make certain I remain an honorable man.”
“I can see to that myself,” Aria huffed, “But I’ll stay if Sarah can stay with me.” She looked around for the Gable’s sister.
The marquess nodded, then motioned for his guards to escort Harry out. Will reluctantly followed his brother, looking over his shoulder at Aria while he went.
“He cares for you,” the marquess stated, turning to her.
“No.” She leaned in closer to him and lifted her lips to his ear. “He’d be a fool to lose his heart to me. He knows I’m not staying in this time.”
The marquess stared sedately at her. “What if he makes you want to stay?”
She gave the short laugh his suggestion deserved. But…when her gaze met his, she saw something in their blue-green fathoms. A great disturbance in the depths. Turmoil so deeply ingrained that it was almost impossible to read on his face. She’d only seen it two other times. When he danced, and when she mentioned the name Blagden.
Why was he asking her such a question? What did he care if Will tried to change her mind about staying? What did he care about? What could stir his guarded emotions? Suddenly she wanted to know.