“I won’t. You have my word. Is that enough for you?” She resisted the urge to place a hand on her hip for emphasis.
“Would my word be enough for you, if the situation was reversed?” he challenged.
Elizabeth considered his question. Lord Penderdale was a great many things, but he was trustworthy, of that she was confident. So with a nod, she answered, “Yes.”
“Is this…” He paused, stepped back, and regarded her. “Did we just become friends?” Collin placed a hand on his heart as if startled. “You did after all, just imply that you trusted me.”
“Don’t let it go to your head. I’m sure I’ll find a reason to battle wits with you upon our next meeting. This is not a truce.”
“I certainly hope so. Otherwise, I’d think that tumble addled your wits.”
“I’m happy to report my wits are not the least bit addled,” she stated with a grin.
“I’m very pleased to hear it. I happen to find those wits gloriously entertaining, if not somewhat irritating.”
“Then we understand one another.” She grinned.
Collin nodded, not trusting himself to speak at the moment. Her smile was powerful, tempting, and he’d be damned if he let her know just how effective it was. His heart pounded in his chest, and he glanced away from the force of her smile, gathering his own addled wits. He’d never met a woman who turned him inside out, and he wasn’t certain if he hated the feeling or craved it.
He turned his attention back to her, watching as she lowered her eyes, then peeked up through her lashes.
His body responded approvingly to her flirtatious glance, though he’d bet his last pound she didn’t realize what she was doing.
Which made it all the more powerful.
She was temptation personified. And he was not immune.
He offered his arm once more and continued on. “Will your father be worried?” he asked, needing to distract himself. Thinking of her father would certainly be helpful.
“He’s accustomed to my evenings out,” she answered with a shrug.
Collin could feel the tension in her body as sheanswered, her smile gone. Her light brows furrowed as she halted their steps. “He doesn’t know,” she blurted out.
He blinked, trying to follow her train of thought. “You’ll have to explain,” he said after a moment.
She sighed and bit her lip. “I’m pretty sure Mr. Finch said something to you about his sister’s classes, and you’re smart enough to make the connection, or maybe he told you that I’m the one who teaches them,” she said rather inarticulately.
Collin nodded. “I see. He doesn’t know you teach women in the evenings.”
“No, he does not, and I don’t wish him to know either. He… It’s hard enough as it is, to have me at the college.” She glanced up, her eyes narrowing as if daring him, challenging him to say anything about it.
He held up a hand in surrender.
After a sigh, she continued. “It’s…complicated…but I don’t wish for this to add to what he already must endure for my sake. Please, don’t mention it.”
Collin gave a succinct nod. “Your secret is safe with me, Miss Essex.” He bowed.
“Ah, so now you’re being proper.” She dusted off her skirts, needing to do something with her hands.
Lord Penderdale’s answering grin was anything but repentant. “Caught that, did you?”
“I’m quite observant,” she replied.
“To be honest, I didn’t exactly plan on usingyour Christian name, Miss Essex, though now that I’ve taken the liberty, I find I’m quite reluctant to relinquish it,” he said, his tone gentle.
She studied his face, trying to read his unspoken meaning. “I don’t remember giving you permission.”
“You didn’t. However, this is me asking for permission now.”
