“I don’t regret what happened before,” he said. “I’m sorry Margot walked in, but nobody else would do so without knocking.”
“You don’t know that.” She went back to needlessly moving papers. “We can’t continue in that manner. I’m your employee.”
She was right. She was his employee, and he knew it was wrong to take advantage of that situation. Even if she was interested or eager to engage in a physical relationship, he should not overstep. “I apologize for kissing you,” he said softly.
She did not look at him, and he hated that. “The blame lies with both of us. We should move on.”
“Agreed.” Except Roman knew he wouldn’t be able to forget what happened, and setting aside the almost incoherent passion he felt for her would be extremely difficult. The best he could do would be to avoid temptation. “We could work more at the offices in Paternoster Row,” he suggested. “Or you could work in your room if you have sufficient space there.”
“The desk in my room is fine. In fact, I’ll go there now.” She picked up some things and took a step toward the door.
“What about your dinner with Miss Barclay?”
Ellis turned to face him. “I don’t want to go, but I don’t have a way to send a note back to her. I do think she might have told the footman not to wait for a reply on purpose.”
“You should go.”
“How do you propose I do that? The only way I can is in this disguise, and you know I don’t like eating with this nest of hair on my face.”
“You can take my coach,” he offered. “And a gown. You can change from your disguise into your regular clothing on the way there. I’ll make sure my coachman doesn’t say a word.”
She goggled at him as if he’d suggested she impersonate the queen. “First of all, I don’t have any of my own outer garments.”
He found that surprising. Unless she’d fled without any of her belongings. He suddenly wondered where she’d obtained her men’s clothing. “Where is it?”
“That doesn’t matter right now,” she said. “I will not change my clothing in your coach. That would be impossible in such a space.”
“I could at least deliver a message to Miss Barclay for you,” he offered.
Ellis exhaled. “No, I don’t want you doing that either. I’ll just go like this. And I’ll take a hack.”
“The hell you will,” Roman said with a surprising amount of heat. “I don’t want you going out alone like that after dark. You’ll take my coach. In fact, I’ll go with you, and I’ll wait while you’re inside.”
“That is completely unnecessary,” Ellis said with an equal dose of vigor. “No one is going to bother an unaccompanied young man going out in the evening. Furthermore, you don’t get to decide what I do or how I do it.”
“You are my employee, and I will ensure your safety. You either agree to my demands, or I will go to Wellesbourne House now and tell Miss Barclay you aren’t coming.”
Ellis glowered at him. “Fine.” She pivoted on her heel and stalked out the door.
Roman tried not to stare at her backside and completely failed. He then vowed to himself that he wouldn’t obsess over their kisses.
It took approximately two minutes for that resolution to go entirely up in flames.
Chapter 7
Ellis strode quickly into the entrance hall a few minutes before she was due to meet Keele for the trip to Wellesbourne House. She hoped to escape the house before Graham or anyone else saw her.
Fortunately, Graham was absent. Unfortunately, Keele was early.
His gaze locked on her and swept her from head to toe, with a very distinct pause in her pelvic area. Why didn’t men’s coats cover that region? Earlier, Keele had been a victim of this lapse in fashion sense when his erection had been clearly outlined behind his fall. Ellis didn’t think Margot had noticed, but Ellis had struggled not to admire it.
“You look splendid,” he said. “I didn’t realize you had evening garments.” He couldn’t seem to stop surveying her—with great interest.
“I wanted to be prepared for anything.” Ellis was now grateful that Mrs. Palmer had finished assembling an evening ensemble. She glanced down at herself. “Is there something wrong with my costume?”
“No, but I think there must be something wrong with me, because I’m finding it incredibly arousing, and I’ve never before been aroused by men’s clothing.” His voice sounded rough and irritatingly provocative. “Then again, I’ve never seen a woman wearing men’s evening wear.” Now, his tone held unmistakable appreciation.
Ellis opened the door and walked outside. The cold evening air soothed her heated face. The coach was waiting with the coachman standing at the open door. Belatedly, she realized she should not have preceded Keele from the house. She paused and waited for him.
