“Don’t remind me,” Winston said, feeling the prick of annoyance.
“Why?” Adeline asked, sounding genuinely curious.
Because an employer must maintain barriers between himself and his staff. If he has any honor at all. And I wish there to be no barriers between us.
His thoughts remained unspoken. He cursed himself for saying as much as he had. Turning away he strode for the door.
“My mother was right. I can dress in a trice. You ladies cannot.”
“You are dissatisfied with my service?” Adeline persisted.
Winston paused, his hand on the doorknob. There had been something in her voice. A catch. A quality that made it more than an innocent question. Almost…hope?
Why would the thought of my being dissatisfied make her hopeful? Why does she persist with this line of questioning? Does she wish to be dismissed?
He frowned, looking back at Adeline. The sight made him want to go to her. She stood with anxiety plain on her beautiful face, hands clutching her skirts as though to keep them from wringing each other. When she saw him looking she made an effort to school her features, but the vulnerability had been there plainly.
Slowly, he walked towards her, watching her chin lift as he approached. Seeing the determination light up her eyes.
“I sense you are being very brave. I cannot think it is for any reason other than this mysterious fiancé. There is no other reason for courage,” he said.
“Of course not. I have the right to fear him.”
“But will not tell me his name so that I may have the word spread of his infamy.”
“No,” Adeline said with only the hint of a tremor.
“On my honor. You are safe with me,” Winston said, earnestly. “I wish Louisa to enjoy this event. I want my mother to enjoy it. Both will enjoy themselves if they know that you do too.”
He drowned in her eyes, losing all sense of time and space. Slowly, tenderly, he reached up to cup her cheek. She took his hand in hers, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. He watched a tear trickle from the corner of her eye.
“What torments you so?” he asked, in a soft but urgent whisper.
Adeline only shook her head.
“If I have such a deleterious effect on your mother and daughter then you should dismiss me. Send me away,” she said.
Winston’s head spun. His brows drew down in fierce denial.
“Why would you ask that? My mother and daughter both adore you. You would leave a void in their lives.”
“But not yours.”
He hesitated, knowing what his heart wanted him to say. Denying his heart.
“I would miss the excellent job you do as Louisa’s governess,” he said.
Adeline laughed softly. Winston felt himself mocked. She removed his hand from her cheek and pressed her lips against his palm. It was tender but fierce, pressing hard as though to taste him and leave that sense impression into her memory. Winston lifted her chin with the crook of his finger and lowered his head to kiss her, losing all self-control.
A commotion in the hallway announced Louisa’s bustling and imminent arrival. Adeline stepped away first. Winston was left staring at the space she had occupied before, a moment later, the door opened, and he put his mask firmly in place.
By the time the carriage arrived at Almack’s, the London evening had given way to rain, a thin mist that turned the cobbles to glass. The portico blazed with light. Footmen opened doors, ladies stepped out in glittering colors. Louisa clung to Adeline’s hand, determined to see and remember everything.
Inside, the assembly rooms gleamed like a thousand candles captured in crystal. Musicians tuned their instruments, and the air smelled of wax, perfume, and the faint metallic tang of the rain outside. Cordelia was in her element, already spotting familiar faces. Winston had barely removed his gloves before she seized his arm.
“Come, Winston. The Duchess wishes to introduce you to Lady Victoria. It would be unforgivable not to pay our respects.”
He glanced at Adeline, who had drifted toward the edge of the room with Louisa.
