“Ivy, I need you to know that Haldane has gone.”
“Really?” Her smile made him blink. He’d never seen it before. Not one that took up every inch of her face. She was exquisite. “Goodbye, and thank you for the stories of your travels, Mr. Nightingale.”
“Ivy, wait. What we did—”
“No.” She backed away. “Please don’t say anything more.”
“This, what’s between us, is not finished.”
She didn’t answer that, just turned and walked away.
Bram let her go because he didn’t know what to say. Not yet. But he would. He had a feeling his life had been changed irrevocably since meeting Ivy Birdwhistle, and that made him smile and whistle as he followed her back to the house.
CHAPTER11
Three days after Bramstone Nightingale had kissed her, Ivy was lying on her bed.
She’d attempted to avoid him where possible. He’d refused to allow it and sought her out wherever she was hiding.
Two nights ago, she’d been seated with Thea and the other young ladies. He’d joined them and spent an hour making them laugh.
At breakfast he’d sat beside her and talked more of his travels, but he’d never mentioned the kisses they’d shared. He’d not touched her again. He’d been a polite gentleman. The problem was, she didn’t know why he was behaving as he was. Why did he want to spend time with her?
It was all very confusing.
Bramstone Nightingale had kissed her, and knew she’d never be the same again.
This, what’s between us, is not finished.
She hadn’t believed his words. What had happened had been a moment in time. She’d been there, and he’d felt sorry for her, so he’d kissed her.
But then if he hadn’t meant them, why had he spent the last two days ensuring he was wherever she was? Escorting her into the evening meal even though it was not the done thing for him to do so. There were those above her that should have had his arm. But he’d chosen her. He also talked to her in whatever group she stood in. He’d even played charades with her yesterday. The other guests were noticing his attentions.
Ivy stared at the ceiling, hoping it would give her answers. As far as ceilings went, it was a lovely one, cream with a mint trim. Every inch of the room she was currently in was lovely. Small, but lovely. Ivy didn’t mind small. She knew the more important guests would have the bigger rooms.
Why had he kissed her? Why was he so attentive to her?Was everything he’d been doing because he felt sorry for her after what had happened with Jackson Haldane?
Jackson Haldane had shown interest in Ivy during her first season. He’d danced with her at several social events. Then one evening, he’d asked if she would walk with him, as he wanted to show her a rather spectacular painting. She’d gone, gullible fool that she was. He’d led her into a room and closed the door. Ivy had been about to question that, and he’d kissed her. Then Bram had arrived. Jackson Haldane had thrown him a mocking look, then kissed her briefly again.
She’d fled the room when Bram had ordered her to. She’d run back to her aunt and stayed at her side for the remainder of the evening, waiting for the news of what had happened in that room to reach society’s ears. It hadn’t.
Haldane had kissed her for a bet. He’d wanted to use her and cared little for her reputation. She’d vowed that no man would ever treat her in such a way again, and so she’d gone into hiding by changing the way she dressed.
Ivy touched her lips. Bramstone Nightingale was disturbing in many ways. Being with him made her feel alive. His kisses woke something inside her. She’d never believed she’d feel like that.
There was a knock on her door, so Ivy called out, “enter,” glad to have a reprieve from her thoughts.
“Hello, Miss Birdwhistle. My name is Melinda, and I was sent to help you dress for the evening’s entertainments.”
The woman had a slight French accent and was stunning. Her skin was like porcelain, and she wore a deep blue dress with gold ribbons around the little sleeves. She didn’t look like any maid Ivy had ever encountered.
“I’m sorry, I have no need of a maid. I use my cousin’s.”
“Lady Osborne has insisted that you will have my services tonight. She is paying me handsomely not to take no for an answer.”
Ivy scurried off the bed. “I don’t need your services.”
The door opened behind her, and in came footmen carrying a bath. With them came two maids with arms full of what looked to be dresses.
