“You’re quite sure of yourself tonight.”
“When in our acquaintance have I not be self-assured?” he asked.
She twisted her lips as he paused just before her chair and pulled it out for her. “Well, never.”
As she sat, he whispered, “Exactly, and I don’t plan to change now. So, we’ll just say it’s part of that charm.” He stepped away to find his own chair.
“Well, now that you’ve taken a small pause from your banter, are there any other details in the travel plans, Lord Penderdale?” Elizabeth’s father asked as the first course was served and the wine was poured.
Collin lifted his glass and met Elizabeth’s eyes as he took a sip.
She blushed and turned her eyes downward, then toward her father, but not before Collin watched her swallow forcibly and take a deep breath.
He loved the way she reacted to him, even in the little things.
“Lord Penderdale?” Elizabeth’s father spoke his name, bringing him back to the conversation.
“My sister will address any other needs, since she will be the one with whom you are staying. My carriage will be here the day after tomorrow, as discussed, and until then, if you have need of anything, please don’t go anywhere alone or, better, send a note to me and I’ll procure whatever youneed and have it delivered to you. The more we can limit exposure, the better.”
“I understand,” Professor Essex replied. “I don’t foresee any needs, but I’ll be sure to keep you informed.” He took a sip of his wine, then continued. “My classes are being overseen while I’m away, and I can imagine the only other person who needs to be informed is perhaps your friend Patricia Finch?” He turned to his daughter.
Elizabeth set her spoon down and let the bowl be removed. “Yes, I’ll send her a note to invite her to call on me tomorrow.” She turned to Collin. “Or should I have her stay away, since we don’t want her involved?”
Collin considered her question. “I don’t think it will be a great risk. She’s not a connection to me, which eliminates the risk for her.” Though as he said the words, something seemed off about them. If they knew that Elizabeth was connected with him, then they would also know about Michael, and if they knew about Michael, they should also think of Patricia as means of a threat against Michael.
He needed to stop by their house, and soon. Michael needed to know so he could protect his sister.
“If you think it’s safe, I’ll continue with the plan,” Elizabeth replied.
“Very well, then I think we have everything settled,” Collin replied, glancing to Elizabeth. She was exquisite, and he watched her mouth curl in a secretivesmile. He wanted to share all her secrets, have all those expressions of her beautiful mouth memorized so he could read them as quickly as her words.
She shook her head and smiled, returning to their meal.
Collin enjoyed the conversation, and as they adjourned to the parlor after dinner, Elizabeth’s father took up a book and went to a far corner of the parlor, giving them a small semblance of privacy.
God bless the man.
“So, I heard about what happened,” Collin said, sitting beside Elizabeth and resisting the urge to reach across and grasp her hand.
Elizabeth gave a shaky sigh. “It was terrible,” she said as she glanced up to meet his gaze, only to look back down at her lap as she twisted her fingers together slowly. “I should have known. I knew better…which makes it so, so much worse.”
He nodded, not sure what to say. So he just listened as she continued.
“I… Do you remember the first time we met when you returned to Cambridge?” she asked.
Collin chuckled. “Yes, I think I rather made an impression, didn’t I?”
“If my memory serves me correctly—”
“It no doubt does.”
“You asked why,” she said, her forehead puckering slightly. “Why I wanted to be in a place where everyone pretended I didn’t exist.”
“Ah, yes, that question.” He widened his eyes and shook his head. “I really know how to make an impression, don’t I?” He shrugged.
“Oh, you certainly made an impression,” she said, some of her earlier tension releasing from her expression.
Collin nodded.
