“Friendship or truce?” Elizabeth asked suddenly, as if the thought just occurred to her.
Collin turned to Elizabeth and nodded with a smile, regarding her as a worthy opponent, or ally, depending on the occasion.
“Both, why limit ourselves?” he replied.
She nodded. “Why indeed, Lor—Collin.” A tinge of pink highlighted the pale skin of her cheeks.
Collin watched the color bloom and soon fade, noting that he enjoyed the display far too much, as well as the sound of his name on her lips.
“I’m glad you agree, but to be a gentleman, I must disclose that I will still spar with you whenever the occasion arises. I find I cannot help myself. You’re quite fetching when indignant.”
Elizabeth blinked, blushed again, and struggled to collect herself, faster than he expected. “Then we have an understanding, since I’ll certainly do the same.”
“Agreed.”
Elizabeth glanced ahead as they rounded the corner and released his arm quickly. “My father is waiting. I’m sure I’ll see you later. After all, you are searching for something that belongs to me.” She grimaced.
“You don’t want to explain to your father why I’m walking you home?” he asked.
“The very last thing I’d like to do.”
“I rather thought it would be the second-to-last thing.”
She glared. “Very well.” She met his gaze. “Thank you. I don’t think I said that earlier.”
“No need for thanks. I’m happy I was able to be of service. I’ll see you soon, Elizabeth.” He reacheddown and lifted her hand, perfectly fitting within his own, to his lips and kissed the air above her wrist. His lips tingled as if he’d touched her skin.
“Good night.” Her tone was deep, as if unable to trust her voice, and she slowly withdrew her hand. After she crossed the street and disappeared inside her house, he released a long breath.
He was in trouble.
And it wasn’t about the person stealing his name.
It was with the woman who could easily be stealing his heart.
Twelve
Mankind censure injustice, fearing that they may be the victims of it and not because they shrink from committing it.
—Plato,The Republic
Collin watched as Elizabeth crossed the street, heading toward a corner. Not wanting to lose sight of her, he quickly moved down the street so he could see her round the bend. In typical Elizabeth fashion, she jogged across the next street before pausing at a stoop with a black door. Collin watched as her father stepped down from the stoop, indeed keeping an eye out for his daughter, and then ushered her inside.
Safe.Collin released his tight shoulders and turned on his heel, his focus on finding Michael. It would be easy enough to keep Elizabeth out of the story, and he agreed with her sentiment on why she wished to be left out. Michael did fancy her, and Patricia was a dear friend. They’d both be concerned, and since there was nothing to be concerned over… Yet as he considered the words, he knew he wasn’t being entirely truthful.
He didn’t want Michael to know. Collin liked that he and Elizabeth had a secret. Liked it a little more than was safe. And he’d told Michael he held no interest in Elizabeth. As he thought it, he grinned at how delicious her name had tasted on his tongue. He’d used it without thinking, and he’d use it again. He was already thinking of delightful ways to get away with using her Christian name, all causing her to chastise him. He could hardly wait.
He focused back on the road and crossed several streets until he found the meeting spot prearranged with Michael. Sure enough, Michael was resting against a wall, looking at his timepiece.
Collin was more than a little late.
Michael tossed a cheroot from his mouth and glanced up. Upon seeing Collin, he pushed back from the wall and started toward him. “Evening,” he stated, his irritation clear.
“My apologies. There was a bit of a situation,” Collin answered, waving Michael forward. “On my way to meet you, I came across a man with a black eye.”
Michael’s attention cut to him. “And?”
“And he ran down the street and knocked into someone and darted away. I stayed a moment to check on the poor lady, and by then, he was gone,” Collin explained with a sigh. “But he went down this way, which may or may not mean anything, but we can certainly try.”
