“That’s nonsense,” she said, her smile strained. “Do be serious, my lord. Someone might have seen you. They might think that you…and I…”
“That you and I might actually talk alone together? Something has upset you. Won’t you tell me what it is?”
She gasped. “Nothing is wrong. I don’t have any idea what you mean. I know you understand, my lord. You are being deliberately obtuse.”
“Come, Miss Kershaw, you are the one who is obtuse for pretending nothing is wrong when I can clearly see it is? What is this all about? You can trust me.”
“I needed to leave the card room before…” She shrugged and turned away. “And you’ve just made it worse.”
He came closer and took her hands. “How so?”
She pulled her hands away. “You should not have followed me. I was trying not to stir interest in our friendship.”
“Oh, is that what we are? Friends?”
“I did hope so,” she said. “But I don’t want everyone to learn of it.”
“Because…?”
“Because…” She waved her hand. “I won’t have you drawn into my problems.”
“You think I can’t manage anything that comes my way? You are wrong, Miss Kershaw.”
“Perhaps. But why make it worse? My aunt asked me to introduce my cousins to you. While I am happy to oblige her, I wasn’t about to interrupt you while you were playing faro and make a spectacle of it, so I waited until…” She shrugged.
“Until…?” he urged, a smile pulling at his lips.
“Until the proper time. If there ever is one. Aunt Mary can be very determined and was likely to insist, so… I fled.” She looked so guilty that he suffered an urgent need to pull her to him.
“An introduction would have been perfectly acceptable, Miss Kershaw. You worry far too much.” He took a step closer.
“Mrs. Vellacott was at the whist table,” she hurriedly confessed.
“Ah, Mrs. Vellacott. But what could she possibly do?”
She raised her chin, her eyes bleak. “I am very much aware of my circumstances, my lord. The next thing we know, there will be rumors spread about us.” She waved her hand as if to send him away. “Please leave. We simply mustnotbe found here alone.” She glanced at the door. “If someone should come in…”
“There are plenty of chaperones wandering the hallway outside. Shall I open the door?” He gestured to a chair. He wanted to stay here with her for at least a few moments more.
She folded her arms and shook her head. “It would be enough to set tongues wagging, as you are well aware.”
“Are you scolding me, Miss Kershaw?”
“If I must, my lord.”
He laughed. Her white, muslin gown trimmed in yellow satin with the flattering scoop neck was all the embellishment she needed. His fingers itched to tug her hair loose from a fetching topknot and see the arrangement fall onto her shoulders in a cascade of blonde curls. To breathe in her perfume. He remained where he was, lest he give in to the temptation. Or kissed her. Yes, he’d definitely kiss her.
She must have read his thoughts, for she edged around him and walked to the door. “If you won’t leave, then I must.”
He laughed. “Then I shall leave first. Ordered out like a young jackanapes. Will you promise to introduce me to your cousins?”
“I shall be honored.” Her sweet smile would make the statue of Decebalus sigh.
“You will like Cousin Jane,” she said as he went to the door.
“I look forward to it. I’ll go out first. No one must see us together. You wait a while to come out after.” He grinned. “We are like a pair of spies in a secret assignation, are we not?”
She laughed. “You are teasing me.”