He regarded her speculatively, his one clear eye studying her. “Not yet, but I’m hopeful.”
Something about his expression had her skin tingling, and she glanced away, overwhelmed by shyness.
“Here we go.” Her father stepped into the hackafter giving the driver directions and Elizabeth followed, sitting beside her father. Collin took the seat across from them. He released a heavy sigh.
Her father studied Collin but didn’t ask any questions as they were driven toward home. Collin didn’t speak either, and the silence was thick, though peaceful. In a few minutes, they rolled to a stop outside Elizabeth’s home. Taking her father’s hand, she stepped down and waited for Collin.
“Come with me,” her father said and led the way into the house. “I’m sure there’s a story, but you needn’t share it unless you wish.” He guided them into the same open parlor that she and Collin had used that morning. “Have a seat.” He gestured toward a chair and brought over a candle. As Collin sat, her father lifted the candle close to his face to study the wound. “Did you care for it?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered. “With hot water, and I used the honey to dress the wounds.”
Her father nodded. “Well done.” He addressed Lord Penderdale, “Are you able to see well, nothing strange?”
Collin nodded. “It’s not doubled, if that’s what you’re asking. I’ve had a broken head before, and this is far less. However I appreciate the concern,” he added quickly.
“Boxing?” her father guessed.
“Yes.” Collin flinched as her father gently probed the area around his eye.
“I don’t think you need a doctor, but I’d not be too ambitious tomorrow.” Her father leaned back, setting the candle on the edge of the table.
“I don’t plan to,” Lord Penderdale admitted. “Rather, I was until this happened,” he amended, giving a lopsided grin. “Even I’m not that daft.”
“Questionable,” Elizabeth murmured, earning a single-eyed glare. “I think my new favorite thing is watching your rather entertaining attempts at facial expressions.” She met his glare.
Her father glanced back to her and then to Lord Penderdale. “Elizabeth, would you go and find me some oil of calendula for the earl?”
Elizabeth nodded to her father and then caught the eye of the earl. With a saucy grin, she curtsied to him and spun on her heel to leave. As she quit the room, she was struck with how much she enjoyed seeing Lord Penderdale and her father together.
And it scared her to think of why.
Patricia’s words pelted her from memory:“You’re afraid.”Was she? Did she like control too much?
As she went to the lower floor to the kitchens to check for the ointment, she considered herself, inspecting her soul without artifice.
And she didn’t like what she found there.
Because deep down, Patricia was right.
She found fear.
Eighteen
The best is the enemy of the good.
—Voltaire,Philosophical Dictionary
Collin watched Elizabeth’s curtsy, bit back a retort at her playful baiting, and then watched until she disappeared into the hall. When he turned his attention back to Professor Essex, he swallowed hard.
Elizabeth’s father had been watching him, likely seeing far more than Collin would have willingly spoken aloud, and now they were alone. Collin waited for the questions he knew would follow.
“Do you have anything you wish to ask me, Lord Penderdale?” Elizabeth’s father said.
Right to the point then, Collin mused. Well, so much for easing into the conversation. He hadn’t given how he felt about Elizabeth much thought; the feelings were still new.
Collin nodded, swallowed, and searched for the right words. “I… That is—” he started, then paused. It was all so final. He couldn’t very well court her and then decide against it. It would bea scandal, and he’d hurt Elizabeth in the process, but he also couldn’t very well carry on with all the flirtation, sidelong glances, and time spent with her without having a reason. And he wanted a reason. He wanted to have every right to ask her to take a walk, pay a social call, tell her more secrets, except that required a choice.
He grinned, in spite of himself. He’d already crossed that line when he’d called her by her Christian name and savored the sound of it on his lips.
