He watched Miss Emerson consider this, and again had the sense that she revealed only a fraction of her thoughts on thematter. “His gaze might linger,” she said finally, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “His eyes mightdarken.”
“Indeed?” Joshua smiled, knowing his skepticism was so clear that he had no need to declare it.
She bristled. “Your eyes become darker at intervals, sir.”
“They do?”
“They do,” she said with conviction. “I believe it is when you feel strongly about the topic at hand.” Once again, she bestowed a smile upon him. “It is a most thrilling sight.”
Thrilling. There was some detail about him, albeit one he could not control, that Miss Emerson found thrilling.
Even when he was not disguised himself as a rogue.
This was a most satisfactory revelation.
Their gazes locked for what might have been an eternity. “Indeed,” Joshua said finally, the word no more than a murmur. Miss Emerson caught her breath and flushed in a most delightful manner, and he averted his gaze as everything tightened within him.
He was feeling rather reckless himself, though it was utterly unsuitable for him to act upon such urges.
“He might be impulsive in his choices or generous in his gifts,” Miss Emerson continued, her ability to discern his thoughts not as troubling as it should have been.
Joshua could conclude that their minds were as one.
But she had refused him.
“I see,” he murmured. He did not dare to look at her but kept his gaze fixed on Mischief. The pup lolled at his feet, rolling to her back as he rubbed her belly. When the silence stretched too long between them, he felt compelled to saysomething.
“I thank you for the clarification, Miss Emerson,” he said. “I believe Mrs. Jameson may call on the morrow.”
“Thank you!” She waited, as if expecting his own guarantee of a visit, but Joshua was uncertain when Mr. Newson wouldbe available to confer with him this afternoon. He would rather surprise Miss Emerson with an unexpected appearance, than make a promise he might have to break.
Miss Emerson rose to her feet, balancing her weight on her uninjured foot as she curtsied gracefully. “Thank you again for bringing Mischief, and for the slippers, sir.”
Joshua nodded and touched his hat, utterly at a loss for words. He scooped up the dog and returned to his horse. He had never imagined that one’s eyes might darken, much less that such an incident would provoke such enthusiasm in a lady.
He wondered how he might contrive to make it occur with some predictability.
He knew, as he turned the horse, that he would ride out this night in the direction of Bramble Cottage and that prospect filled him with anticipation.
The night was clear,the slimmest crescent of a silver moon high overhead. Helena sat at her window, and stared into the shadows of the night. She was thinking about Lord Addersley, recalling the gentle strength of his hands as he patted Mischief and of his kindness in bringing the puppy to visit her. It seemed there was more to him than people like Becky insisted. Helena would have wagered a pair of slippers—perhaps the ones he insisted upon buying for her—that his veins did not run with ice water.
She shivered a little at the notion of passion simmering beneath his composure and wished she might know for sure.
And what of her champion? She closed her eyes in recollection of his sultry kiss, all the more exciting because it was a forbidden and stolen pleasure.
Aunt had scolded her for her distraction at dinner, and sent her early to bed to ensure that her ankle healed more quickly. Helena had no interest in any of her books, not with the remembered caress of her champion to feed her imagination.
Did she know him without his disguise? She could not say for certain. Though they were of a size, his manner and that of the viscount were so different. He possessed an audacity and a verve that Lord Addersley in his polite restraint did not possess. He had to be another man, someone she had not yet met—officially.
Did she dare to hope he might seek her out again?
Might she manage to see his face if he did?
Or should she take Nicholas’ warning to heart and turn aside her champion?
No, she could not do that. She could be more prudent though. She could speak to him at the gate. She could refuse to ride out with him, at least until he revealed himself.
She supposed she would not have been who she was if the sensible choices had not sounded so very dull.
