She cast him a mocking smile. “Why do I need to ask? It’s clear you can’t wait for me to go.”
“Ask me.”
She paused, her smile unchanging. “Are you prepared to see me go, my lord?”
“No.”
“No?” Her eyes grew so gloriously wide, he wanted to dive into their gray-blue fathoms and never come up for air.
He didn’t answer. What could he tell her that wouldn’t make him sound like a pathetic fool? Her life wasn’t here, and he’d known that since he first saw her. Why did she have to be the one who stirred his heart? How had he let her do it? All the vows he made to himself about never letting anyone touch his heart again, never trusting, never loving again flew off to the four winds and she could be gone at any moment? He’d known she’d be going back. He’d known. He had no right to blame her, and he didn’t.
“Miss Darling?”
“Hmm?”
Why was she looking at him with a longing gaze?
“Is your heart lost to Gable?”
No! That wasn’t what he meant to ask! But he was curious now because of the way she was staring at him, if she truly meant Gable when she said her heart was already lost to him. He admitted to himself that it shouldn’t matter, but he wanted to know.
“No, of course not,” she told him to his great relief. “I told you I must go back. Why would I lose my heart to him?”
He believed her. That meant…I can’t stay with him. I must go no matter how much of my heart is already lost…was the him she spoke of,him?
Chapter Fifteen
Aria stepped outof the marquess’ rooms and shut the door behind her. He wasn’t prepared to see her go. What was she supposed to do with that? He liked her. Her hands shook. He didn’t like many but…he liked her. For an instant she started to smile, but how could she when she was about to go searching for the door home? And why weren’t her feet moving? She needed to go. She couldn’t let him sway her. Connall needed her. Her parents needed her.
Finally, she stepped away from his door and set off to find Will.
She found Harper instead. “I left the marquess in his bed. He said he wanted to sleep. I think it’s alright that he’s sleepy. We were up for most of the night. But…well, you know the symptoms of a concussion, right?” Before Harper could answer, she went on. “Watch out for headache, dizziness, light sensitivity, lack of energy, nausea or vomiting. If he’s more irritable than usual, that could mean a concussion, any kind of confusion, loss of memory, lack of coordination—”
“Miss Darling,” Harper offered her a warm smile. “I know about concussions. I’ve already informed Sarah and the rest of the maids to be mindful of the symptoms if they’re called to see to him for the next few days. But…you sound as if you’re going somewhere.”
“Home. Well. Maybe, if the door for my key is in the castle. The marquess and I have already checked fifty-eight doors. Will agreed to help me check the rest.”
“I see,” Harper said, sounding as if she saw more than what she meant.
Aria narrowed her eyes on her. “How did you get here from the future?”
“You shouldn’t have told William Gable and his sister. It’s a matter that could get us killed.”
“Yes,” Aria said with a repentant nod. “I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else. When I was flung into the past without any explanation, I asked Will and Sarah what year it was and told them when I was from. I wasn’t thinking of being burned at the stake.”
“I understand,” Harper said. “I can’t travel on my own. I was sent here by someone—”
“Mrs. Hester, I mean Tessa Blagden?” Aria asked.
Harper looked around the empty hall, then pulled her into a nearby room. It was one of the rooms built high above the roaring waves. It was furnished with two carved chairs in front of the crackling hearth-fire built into the wall. There was a green velvet settee and a cushioned bench, along with a few tables.
“Tessa Blagden,” Harper said, motioning for her to sit in one of the chairs. “She’s my great, great…” She looked up as if the answer was there, then shrugged.… “something grandmother.”
Aria stared at her, her eyes wide with shock. “How…”
“She’s a time-traveler. She can travel at will.”
“Mrs. B. is a time-traveler,” Aria echoed, trying to take it all in. “Mrs. B. was also the marquess’ grandmother. You’re related to him?”