She bowed her head so he could not see in her eyes how close she had come to believing him. “Send Ophelia Pearl, the actress, to me, please.”
She felt his shock that he had been denied anything he asked, that she had dared to decline his offer. Then he moved abruptly away from her, dressing with savage efficiency. She watched him in profile through her lashes, surprised that she had been able to affect him so, and ashamed that she had done as much.
“Your gait is stronger,” she said when he turned toward the door, cane in hand, hat on his head. She could not let him simply leave her with such tension between them.
Haynesdale cast her an inscrutable glance, his eyes dark. “A lady recommended the benefit of exercise to me,” he said with heat, biting off the words. Then he spun and departed, leaving the lantern.
He was gone before Esmeralda realized he had referred to her as a lady.
Why would Nicholas not wish to dream?
The evening passed pleasantly, though Eliza could not set aside the question. She might have asked outright, but she did not dance again with Nicholas. She wondered whether he contrived as much to ensure that she had no such opportunity.
Or perhaps he had been offended by her boldness in chastising him about brandy.
Perhaps she had erred in following the advice of Mrs. Oliver’s pages.
In truth, Eliza was impatient with the evening’s festivities. What would she have given to simply be able to talk to Nicholas! Instead, she was occupied in ensuring that Helena danced with suitable partners. The girl was an excellent dancer and drew many admiring gazes. After Melbourne’s departure, her conduct was laudable.
Nicholas danced with every debutante present, by Eliza’s accounting, ensuring that none were neglected. This she might have viewed with less favor, save that he came to her for the last dance before supper was served. It was another allemande, leaving little opportunity for conversation, but she did manage to ask him to accompany them home in the carriage.
“I have a matter I would discuss with you,” she confessed, when she could think of at least three such topics.
He considered this without surprise and replied when the steps next brought them together. “With Helena present or not?”
“Afterward, if you do not have other obligations.”
Their paths parted for the dance again and it seemed an eternity before she met him again. “I will walk home from Haynesdale House readily enough,” he agreed and she sighed with relief. “My other obligations, such as they are, can wait.”
Helena chattered about the evening all the way home, then fairly raced into the house, purportedly to confess all to Lady Dalhousie. Perhaps she simply understood that her presence was not required.
“Will she tell your aunt about Mr. Melbourne?” Eliza asked Nicholas when they were underway again, though Helena’s partners and confessions were the last thing she wished to discuss.
Nicholas had resumed his seat opposite her, apparently ignoring the space vacated by his sister. Had he taken no encouragement from her swift kiss? Had he even noticed it?
“Who can say? I suppose I will have to join them for breakfast to learn more.”
“Do you know anything of him?”
Nicholas shook his head. “Do you?”
“Only what he told me and I fear it was not all true.”
Nicholas’ attention fixed upon her. “What falsehood did he tell?”
“I do not know. I simply distrusted him.” She sighed, discontent with her own answer. “I regret that I have no firmer reply than that.”
“I do not trust him either, though I cannot say why.”
Their gazes met again and she saw that he shared her confidence that their views were the same.
Eliza took a chance and moved her skirts closer to her thigh in silent invitation, making space for Nicholas to sit beside her. His gaze fell to the bench beside her, then he met her gaze again. She smiled and he moved across the carriage immediately, settling beside her. The strength of his thigh was pressed against her own but she did not move away.
“Perhaps such confidences require quieter tones,” he murmured and she shivered with delight.
Eliza dared to place her hand upon his knee. “I believe they do,” she said, her heart leaping when his gloved hand covered hers. She leaned closer and whispered. “He said he had six thousand pounds a year.”
“Mrs. North,” Nicholas said softly and she looked up, seeing that his eyes were dark and his expression was not shocked. “I have no desire to discuss Mr. Melbourne in this moment.”
