Maxwell, standing at the back of the settee, feet braced apart and hands on hips, stared at her for a moment, shock manifesting in his expression. Then he gave a soft, bitter laugh and looked down at the floor. “A woman,” he muttered, “and a Northcott, for Christ’s sake.”
“You needn’t worry, sir.” Louisa gave her head a shake. “I promise I won’t tell anyone about, er, about…”
Maxwell’s head snapped up and he threw her a furious look that made her flinch. “About how you knowingly eavesdropped on a private conversation? Why the hell didn’t you speak up? Were you enjoying the bloody performance too much?”
Heat arose in Louisa’s cheeks, though it did little to stop her shivering. “Certainly not! And, with respect, if you knew I was there, why didn’tyouspeak up?”
“Yourrespectis about five minutes late in showing itself,” he replied, scowling. “And I didn’t know you were there at first, whereas you undoubtedly knew you were no longer alone the moment you heard the door opening. Am I right?”
“Well, yes, that… that is true, but I…” Louisa searched for a defense. “But I didn’t know who it was. For all I knew, it might have been some drunken rogue who, upon finding me alone, may have tried to harm me.”
Maxwell scoffed. “Says little for the caliber of Lady Richmond’s guest list, don’t you think? No, Miss Northcott, that is far from being a reasonable explanation. Miss Chessington and I exchanged words as soon as the door closed behind us. You knew who we were within seconds of our arrival.”
Without a valid rebuttal, Louisa’s only option was to capitulate. Silently cursing her leaking nose, she sniffed as delicately as she could and released a pent-up sigh. “You’re quite right, Mr. Harlow. The truth is, I don’t really know why I didn’t speak up. Embarrassment, perhaps, at being caught in this, um,” she glanced up at the ceiling, “in whatever this room is. All I can do is apologize sincerely and assure you that nothing I heard tonight will go beyond these walls. I swear it. My lips are sealed.”
One dark brow lifted slightly as his gaze drifted to her mouth. “Why are you in here, Miss Northcott?”
“Completely by accident, I assure you! I mean, I thought it was just a parlor. I didn’t know about…” without looking up, she jabbed a finger toward the ceiling, “aboutthatat first.”
“That doesn’t really answer the question.” He moved closer. “Are you hiding? Has someone upset you?”
“No. Yes. Well, not exactly. What gave me away?”
“Pardon?”
“My hiding place,” Louisa replied. “I’m just wondering what gave me away.”
Maxwell nodded toward to the window. “No self-respecting servant would have drawn those curtains without making sure the pleats were equally spaced on both sides.”
Louisa blinked. “I don’t understand.”
He gave a slight shrug. “I noticed the curtain on the left had been disturbed. It was not hanging true.”
She turned to look. “Goodness, you’re awfully observant. I’m not sure I would have noticed such a thing.” She regarded him once more. “But then, the curtain might have been disturbed accidentally, or perhaps moved by someone who simply wanted to look out of the window. It doesn’t necessarily mean someone is—was—hiding behind it.”
“Quite correct,” he replied. “I didn’t actually know for certain anyone was there till you emerged. And, given the nature of the room’s décor, I never expected it to be a woman.”
“But you threatened to physically drag me out! And by the scruff of my neck, no less.”
“And the threat worked. If you’d ignored it and stayed quiet, I would have assumed myself to be mistaken and left without any further exchange.” His eyes narrowed. “What did you mean by ‘not exactly’?”
She regarded him blankly for a moment. “Oh! Nothing really. As I alluded to earlier, I’ve never been terribly enthusiastic about these society gatherings, and this is my third outing in less than a week. I told Mama I was going to the ladies retiring room for a rest, but I found it to be overly crowded, so I ended up in here instead.” If he only knew the truth, she thought, and gave him a wry smile. “I just wanted a little time to myself, that’s all.”
“I see.” He squinted at the ceiling. “Not exactly the most appropriate of sanctuaries, is it? Especially for a young lady. I’m surprised the door wasn’t locked.”
Louisa dared to approach him. “I thought the same thing once I realized what I was looking at.” She breathed in his intoxicating scent, savoring it anew. Of course, he had no idea how much his presence at the ball had influenced her behavior that night and her subsequent desire for solitude. Shesuppressed a shiver. “I swear I was about to leave, Mr. Harlow. I simply panicked when I heard the door opening.”
He frowned. “You look half-frozen, Miss Northcott. I’d offer you my jacket, but it would be more prudent of you to leave this somewhat scandalous room immediately and warm yourself elsewhere.”
Louisa nodded. She should, of course, do exactly as propriety dictated; bid Maxwell Harlow a good evening and returned to the ballroom. It was asking for trouble to exploit this bizarre opportunity that fate had handed her. But to be alone with this man was a secret fantasy come true, one she wasn’t quite ready to relinquish.
“I am truly sorry for what happened tonight, Mr. Harlow.”
“You have already apologized,” he said. “Think no more of it.”
She shook her head. “I meant I’m sorry for what occurred between you and Miss Chessington.”
“Ah.” He shrugged. “Unfortunately, my fiancée considers Northcott Manor to be situated at the farthest reaches of civilization. I must also apologize for her ungracious remark. I’m sure you know the one to which I’m referring.”
