Ellis sat ramrod straight on the rear-facing seat, her face paler than usual in the light from the lantern. Roman sat down and contemplated her agitated state as they started moving.
“You seem upset,” he said. “If you’d like to unburden yourself, I’d be glad to listen. Or if you’d simply like to sit with me and rest your head on my shoulder, I can provide that too.”
She shifted her gaze to the window. Her jaw was pulled tight as if she were clenching her teeth, perhaps. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her this distraught.
Roman decided to just say what he was thinking. “I believe you were meeting with Lady Shefford. Sheff was there to fetch her. And who else would you be seeing at the Siren’s Call? I know you’re acquainted based on what you told Inman earlier.” He paused before asking the next question, but then he didn’t have to.
She met his gaze, her expression surprisingly flat, given the tension in her body. “You know who I am, don’t you? Did you tell Sheff?”
She was Lady Minerva’s companion. “No, I didn’t tell him. I didn’t puzzle it out until we came outside. I vaguely remember Lady Minerva having a tall blonde companion. I wasn’t entirely certain it was you. But I am now.”
Apprehension darkened her features. “Will you tell Sheff?”
“No. I told you that your secret is safe with me. Knowing who you are now doesn’t change anything. I will keep you safe. Do you trust me?”
“I do.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “Is your shoulder still on offer?”
“Absolutely.” He scooted to the side of his seat, and she moved over to join him.
After briefly making eye contact, she leaned against him and removed her hat before laying her head on his shoulder. Roman would have rather put his arm around her and held her in that position, but he savored this.
“Why do you care about me?” she asked softly.
“I don’t know exactly.” He took her hand and stroked his thumb along the back. He wished they weren’t wearing gloves. “I sense you’re clinging to something—your pride or your independence. And I know you’re fighting to survive on your own without assistance. I wish I knew why, but I still don’t need you to tell me.” Sheff had said there was strife. Had something happened with Ellis? He couldn’t see her being the cause of any trouble.
A horrible thought stole into his mind. He was well aware of the Duke of Henlow’s reputation for debauchery, and he knew from Sheff that most of it was true. Fear and fury curled through him. “Are you hiding from them because someone did something to you?” he whispered.
She turned her head and looked up at him. Her blue eyes were the color of the sky as the sun began to set, vibrant and dusky at the same time. “What do you mean?”
“Did the duke…” Roman didn’t want to say it out loud, but he must. “Did Henlow abuse you in any way?”
“Heavens, no.” Her reply came so fast and so strong that Roman didn’t doubt its veracity. “He has been nothing but kind to me since my parents died. He even wrote me a recommendation for this position, if you recall.”
“Yes, but perhaps he did it out of guilt.”
“He did not,” she said vehemently. “He has lived a sordid life, but it’s not what you think. He’s done what he could to survive an extremely unhappy marriage.”
“Yes, I am aware that he and the duchess do not care for one another. I believe all of London knows that.”
“But something did happen,” she said quietly. “Nothing that physically hurt me,” she added. “I still don’t wish to discuss it. I would rather not think of it at all right now.” She held his gaze, and there was no mistaking her desire—or her invitation.
Roman moved his hand up above her glove and found her bare wrist. He stroked his thumb along the underside, feeling the rapid beat of her pulse beneath her warm flesh. “Is there a way I could assist in distracting you?”
“Yes.” She pivoted on the seat and sat straighter before pressing her mouth to his.
He angled toward her and cupped the back of her head with his free hand as he returned her kiss with fierce demand. Her beard scratched his face, and he longed to kiss her without it.
Their positioning was awkward. He wanted to feel her against him. She must have felt the same, for she threw her leg over his lap and straddled him.
Groaning, Roman kept hold of her nape and clasped her waist with his other hand. She splayed one hand against his upper chest whilst the other slid along his neck. She rose up, so he had to tip his head back to kiss her. Using her advantage, she speared her tongue into his mouth, ravishing him with a brazen rapture that sent Roman into a delirious haze of lust.
She pressed her hips down against his, the warmth of her sex teasing his hardened cock through the layers of their breeches. He was not wearing any undergarments. Was she? The notion that he could unbutton her fall and stroke her sex was intoxicating and fast becoming all-consuming.
Roman slid his hand over from her waist and flicked the buttons at the top of her breeches. The fall gapped open, and he tucked his hand inside. She was as bare beneath the breeches as he was.
His hips twitched against hers with need as he worked his hand between them. He was still wearing his blasted glove, but he didn’t care. He teased her clitoris and was rewarded when she pulled her mouth from his and let out a long, low whimper. She kissed his jaw and his neck as she moved her hips against his hand.
She suddenly froze against him. “We’ve stopped.”
