“They are obviously ever so busy,” Cora amends quickly. “But I can speak to them on your behalf. Or accompany you. Eventually. When the time is right. Which is not right now.”
“I should quite like to accompany as well,” Harry marvels.
They both turn.
Harry clears his throat. “Should you need your own field guide, Miss Ritter.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Cal says as Cora coos, “How chivalrous of you, Mr. Peyton.”
Cal frowns, which, to her surprise, sends a trill of delight up her spine. Is it really possible he tracked her down in the middle of Central Park only to see her again?
No, that’s ridiculous, and far too self-indulgent.
“Sounds like it’s settled, Mr. Archer,” Cora adds breezily. “I’ll send word for when we might all visit together. Now, do you mind if we continue on with our stroll without further imposition?”
“Of course.” Cal tips his hat and steps aside.
“Though I dare hope you don’t consider the free and independent press an imposition,” he calls after her.
She smiles and turns.
“If you ask me,” he says, “my paper’s playing quite an important role in your whole affair.”
That strangely loaded term,affair, might alone be enough to send her off-balance, but the scoundrel also has the cheek to wink at her.
That said, this off-kilter feeling is not an entirely unpleasant sensation.
“Good day, Mr. Archer,” she says.
“Good day, indeed.”
“Are you all right, Miss Ritter?” Harry ventures, once Cal’s gone. “You seem very flustered.”
“Oh, I’m perfectly fine, Mr. Peyton.”
“The blood vessels around your cheeks have dilated and your eyes appear glassy—”
“Simply because I’m with you.”
She winces, having meant for the words to come out as a flirtatious purr instead of a growl. Thankfully, her retort still does the trick: Harry’s stopped walking and is now blushing himself.
“If that man was bothering you,” Harry says, puffing out his chest, “I am more than happy to have a word with his employers.”
As if this wide-eyed lad could even find his way toThe Heraldoffice alone.
“Oh, ah—no, no, Mr. Peyton, that won’t be necessary.” She flashes him her brightest smile. “Please. Let us enjoy our afternoon. Now, what were you saying earlier, about your favorite spot in Central Park?”
Chapter 14
A Precision of Mind
Peyton
Angle: Venality
Harry Peyton watches Cora Ritter slowly spin around, a delighted smile on her lips as she takes in the old-world resplendence of Belvedere Castle.
She looks right at home. Obviously she does, Harry chastises himself; she is a princess. Or rather, a duchess twice removed. Royalty, in any event. Harry was always more interested in the sciences than in history, was never very adept at keeping names and titles straight during his governess’s lessons or in school. A fact that he should probably attempt to remedy, he supposes, if he intends to parade through society with Miss Ritter on his arm.
