“You do?” Henri relaxed beneath me, and I felt his arms slide around me. I melted into him, burying my face in his neck. Okay, so maybe hewasthat self-absorbed. Perhaps this would be easier than I thought.
“I’m so confused, Henri. I’m being so unfair to you and Bram. I feel like I don’t even know what I want anymore.” I pulled back and looked up at him, widening my eyes for effect. “But I know I can’t stand for you to be upset with me.”
Henri’s features softened and he cupped my cheek. “Emile. I missed you too.”
Our faces were inches apart, and I held my breath as my eyes inadvertently wandered down to his lips. My treacherous mouth wanted to meet his. Part of me thrilled at the idea of kissing him, even as my mind warned me that I was toeing a very dangerous line between convincing Henri that I wanted him and convincing myself of the same.
There was a soft rap at the door and we leaped apart. Henri cleared his throat, eyes still glued to me. “Yes?”
Annette stepped inside, brightening when she saw me. “Ah, there you are.” She glanced at Henri. “Forgive me, your lordship, but Dupont has a visitor.”
“I do?” I asked, taking a step forward. I thought that Bram had been banished from the château altogether, but perhaps since he’d asked for me specifically, he’d been allowed entry. I was glad, especially since I didn’t feel good about how things had ended between us the other day.
Henri’s hand shot out and he grabbed my arm. “Emile, no. Just … leave. Don’t even go for your things. Walk out the servants’ door now. Leave and don’t look back.”
I sent him a confused look. “Henri, you don’t have to be so afraid of Monsieur Valancourt, I assure you. Did I not just make that clear?”
Henri swallowed hard and seeming to remember that we had an audience in Annette, he dropped my arm.
As I followed Annette out the door, Henri glided along beside me. “I’m going with you,” he said.
I winced. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”
Henri hesitated. “I’ll leave if you want me to. I promise.”
I pursed my lips, unsure of why he was acting so strangely. Was Ithatgood of an actor? Maybe Ihadoverdone it. “Very well. But be nice.”
Henri nodded and grabbed my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine. I tried to shake him off, but his grip was firm. Even as we passed a maid, bowing low for the count, he didn’t loosen his hold. Did hewantto cause a scandal?
At the library door, Annette knocked quickly, stepping inside and then aside as she announced me. “Mr. Dupont, sir.”
I smiled as I entered the room behind her, Henri finally freeing my hand.
“Ah, here’s the man of the hour,” Count Montoni greeted me.
I was confused for a moment as I continued to walk into the room. Blanche sat on the sofa, offering me a tight smile, but Bram wasn’t in the room at all.
Montoni scanned me, as if seeing me for the first time. “It seems you’ve worried many people over the past few weeks,MarquisSt. Aubert.”
My steps faltered at his words; at the same moment, I noticed the figure sitting in a chair across from the count. My blood froze as the door slammed shut behind me. Apparently, Alexander Westenra had seen me at the opera, after all.
Aunt Cheron rose from her seat and smiled at me with a mixture of amusement and triumph. “How good to see you again, Emile.” She looked me over appraisingly before adding “Nice uniform.”
I’m so sorry,” Henri said into my ear as he conveyed me to my new room.
I held on to my small pack of things gathered from my old room like a lifeline, feeling numb as I focused on taking one step after another along the hallway. My new room, one of the guest rooms, was positioned between Henri’s and Blanche’s. I hardly noticed as Henri opened the door, and I found myself in a room every bit as nice as the count’s.
As I stood in the doorway, Henri pried my pack from me and set it on the bed. “We’ll take care of that later,” he promised, trying for a smile. “For now, let’s get you dressed for dinner. You’re close to my size. I’m sure something will work.” He steered me to his room and shut the door firmly behind us, leaning against it for a moment to look at me.
I walked over to his bed and perched on the edge, mind roaring. I couldn’t believe that it was over. Aunt Cheron had found me, no thanks to that insufferable Alexander Westenra, and the ruse was at an end. Now what happened to my inheritance would be up to her. What happened tomewas up to her. Running away and taking on the role of a servant would certainly help her build a case of insanity against me.
Henri knelt in front of me and grabbed my hands in his. “I’m so sorry, Emile. I didn’t know it was that bad.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, tears threatening me.
“When I saw your likeness at the post office, I felt betrayed, and I was already so angry with you, and … I just thought you were rebelling and needed to be put in your place. I didn’t know she was so cold and … I just didn’t know.”
I blinked and looked at him. “What?”
