But then he knew better.
The lass would travel light, he’d bet his best sporran.
The matter settled, as far as he was concerned, he took her elbow and led her to the door.
Before he opened it, he looked at her. “Can you meet me at Hyde Park Corner in the morning? About eight o’clock?”
Her eyes rounded. “So early?”
“Aye.” He touched her cheek. “No one will be about. And those who are, willnae pay us any heed. We’ll have a ride and discuss all arrangements. I’ll wait for you with two matched bays.”
“I’d enjoy that.” She didn’t say more, and her brow pleated. “It’s just, it might be difficult…”
“If you can’t, I will call on you here, in the afternoon,” he said. “But that won’t allow us to talk as freely.”
“Let me think.” She tapped a finger against her chin. “Lady Clarice and my stepsisters sleep till almost noon, so they shouldn’t miss me. And with so many guests, I doubt the Merrivales would notice if I didn’t appear at breakfast.”
“So you’ll be there?” He couldn’t believe how much her answer meant to him.
She smiled, and his heart split.
“I will,” she agreed. “Eight o’clock.”
“Then until the morn,” he said as he cracked the door to check the corridor. “The way is clear.”
But rather than leave, she leaned in and kissed his cheek. And this time, his heart didn’t just split.
He lost it.
She took it with her as she slipped out the door and disappeared into the shadows.
And when, a short while later, he left the cloakroom and headed in the opposite direction, he would have sworn he heard an old woman’s delighted cackle.
