My mouth snapped closed. Why had I said that? The last thing I wanted to do was encourage his impropriety.
The lieutenant paused in his efforts and turned to face me. He didn’t speak right away, instead studying me for an eternal moment. “I suppose, if we are aiming for friendship, then Annette is acceptable, is it not?”
Permission. He was seeking mypermission. I should deny him the privilege, as I had made it clear numerous times before, that I did not wish for him to be on such familiar terms with me. But I could not. Reason escaped me, and I nodded before I even realized what I had done.
“Very well, Annette,” he said softly. “But I must insist that you call me Edward.”
“When without company,” I added, already regretting the impulsive decision.
He returned to the cuckoo-pint and murmured under his breath. “Whenever you like.”
Chapter ten
Edward
Earlymorningfilledthedistant gardens with a heavy mist, making it impossible to see anything within. I leaned back against a tree and stretched my legs out in front of me. Waiting could drive a man to madness, but I had little choice but to sit and observe. To hope.
As the hours passed, that hope began to wane. I would obtain no evidence today, and the weight of that failure rested heavily on my shoulders. This endless game drained the life from me, and even a bruising ride back to Kenwick did not lift my spirits. How could I find joy in anything when Adda was suffering under the hands of Hollinsby—or worse?
But no. I would not allow my mind to wander such dark paths. I would find her and bring her safely home. Or give her a safe home, rather. Returning her to Africa presented its own problems, and doing so would only put her in peril until the world embraced abolition. I could not find her simply to lose her again.
The wooded path gave way to an open meadow, and I raced across it to the elaborate stables that lay west of the castle. A stablehand took the reins, and I dismounted, instructing him to see to Lightning’s needs. He nodded and guided the stallion toward his stall.
“You’ve been gone for some time.”
I whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice, my sorrows already fading. Annette stood before me in a dark green day dress, her red hair styled into a tight coiffure with a few strands framing her flushed cheeks. She was beautiful, the ideal lady of perfection and grace.
But I was beginning to believe this was not Annette Apsley. Not the real her. The lady I had come to know in London was a disguise put on for Society’s benefit, and while I could admire that woman, it was the one with the messy plait taking strolls at midnight and riding bareback that captured my partiality.
Partiality was a dangerous thing for me to have.
I bowed, my eyes never leaving her. “Good morning, Miss Apsley.”
She tilted her head. “Are we not alone, Edward? I thought you wished us to be friends?”
My heart jolted at the sound of my name on her lips, but I shoved the reaction away. “Forgive me. I thought to exercise caution, given there are servants about.”
She rolled her eyes, muttering. “You have never cared to exercise it before.”
The statement heightened my defenses. “Whether you believe so or not, I have always striven toward caution when using your name. I have no desire to ruin you.”
“Or marry me, I presume?”
I swallowed and forced a smile. She would not like a truthful answer from me—at least not yet—and I refused to lie to her more than I already was.
Not that Iwaslying to her. Not exactly. I was simply keeping her father’s offer of money in exchange for marrying her a secret. The scheme still did not sit well with me, but a confession would not help my cause. I needed the money. Too many people were counting on me to risk Annette’s ire and lose the funds.
Regardless, I had made a promise to Lord Paxton, and I would not break it.
I clasped my hands behind my back. “So, have you managed to hide our midnight spoils in the intended target’s room?”
A mischievous grin tugged at her lips, and her blue eyes lit with satisfaction. “I have. All seven flowers are positioned for prime retaliation. Russell left early this morning for his ride, and I took advantage of the opportunity.” Her brows furrowed. “Although, I was under the impression that the two of you generally rode together. Is that not so?”
“We did my first mornings here, but I’ve since had business to see to and could not join him.”
“Business?”
I nodded but offered nothing more. Annette’s eyes narrowed, which nearly drew my laughter, but she would not bully the information out of me. The less she knew about Hollinsby and my plans to bring him to justice, the better.
