Lark picked up his head and met Anthony’s gaze.
“I do treasure the time we spend together,” Anthony said. “We tease each other a great deal, and perhaps you still view whatever this is between us as just sexual release, but—”
Lark placed a finger on Anthony’s lips. “I believe we’ve moved past that now.”
Anthony smiled. “I knew the moment you sought me out at the Wakefield ball that my interest in you was reciprocal.”
“So what is happening between us?”
“I don’t know. I enjoy it. I hope it lasts for a good while. I’m not so delusional as to think we will have some sort happy ending like the prince and princess in a fairy tale, but we have this now and I am happy for it.”
“Yes. I agree.”
Anthony smiled. “Do your friends know we are lovers?”
“I haven’t said anything, but I believe they suspect.”
“We are not very coy, are we?”
“No, but maybe it doesn’t matter. I don’t know precisely what happened in that week Hugh was lost to us, but he cares for that girl and will use every bit of power and influence he has to make any scandal around her go away. In theory, we could do that, too. Be together and ignore society and throw money at any problems that arise.”
Anthony laughed. “This surprises me, that you’d be willing to take a risk like that. You seem to want to keep me a well-hidden secret.”
“Well, I do, but I find I care less with each passing day. Keeping secrets is… bothersome.”
Anthony laughed. “Bothersome?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do, darling, I do.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Lady Adele?”
Adele turned when Wilton called her name. She was packing the last of her things before leaving for her new position the next day.
“The Duke of Swynford is here to see you. I’ve put him in the gold salon.”
“The Duke of…” Adele’s heart seized. “Yes, all right. I will be there in a moment.”
She was shocked that Hugh would come to this house. Surely he’d forgotten about her by now. But she had no delusions that he was here to see John, so he must have been here to see her. But why was he here?
When she walked into the salon, she found him looking around. He was unbearably handsome in his fine clothing, with his hair styled just so. He smiled broadly when he saw her.
“Lady Adele. It is delightful to see you.”
“Hello, Your Grace. It is agreeable to see you.”
“Agreeable? Is that all?”
She sighed. “I don’t wish to be rude, but I’ve still got some packing to do and I’m running out of time. Was there something you wanted to discuss with me.”
“There is, yes.” He rested his hands behind his back and began to pace across the room. “I understand you’ve been offered a position with the Winchesters, is that right?”
“Yes. I accepted and intend to leave tomorrow morning.”
“To be their governess, yes?”
