He could only chuckle. “I am but your servant, Cait,” he offered while executing a proper bow, which may have been a mistake as it forced him to put more weight on his injured knee.
For nearly the next hour they read titles hoping to find what they were looking for, but Norbright did not have any books that discussed the myth of the selkies.
“Nothing,” Cait announced as she flopped down on the settee. “Though some of the books I may ask to borrow for my classes.”
It was a shame that someone as beautiful and kind as Cait was wasting away at a school teaching. She should be dressed in gowns and waltzing at balls. In London, gentlemen would line up for the opportunity, and they would call on her and several may wish to court. Cait would not be on the verge of becoming a spinster if she were to enjoy the Season.
Julian pushed the thought away. He did not like the idea of her being courted by anyone.
“To the conservatory?” he suggested.
“You do not wish to return to the celebration?” Cait countered.
“No.” He wanted to be with her. Cait was the only person who knew his secret and she was a delightful distraction. “Do you?”
She smiled softly and if he wasn’t mistaken, there was a deep warmth in her green eyes. Perhaps she understood his reluctance.
“I do not want to return either,” she answered.
“Then, how do we get to the conservatory?”
“Getting there will be easy. Not being seen by students will be far more difficult and easier to accomplish under the cloak of darkness.” She grinned.
There were many things more enjoyable under the cloak of darkness and when others were not about.
Chapter Four
Anticipation stayed with Cait as they returned to the gathering and then sat down to supper. Julian had escorted her to the dining room and then took the seat next to hers.
It was fun having the secret of their mission between them. However, the other secret that he was trying to hide, the loss of his brother, weighed on her and she wanted to be near in case he wished to talk.
“It has grown dark,” he leaned over and whispered as the last course was taken away.
The gentlemen stood as the ladies did and Julian assisted Cait from her chair.
“I will slip away during tea,” she confided quietly.
“I will stretch my legs during brandy.”
“Meet me along the hedges that border the property. There is an opening at the back, near the stairs to the cliff. That is the one the students used to spy on the coven.
He gave a slight nod and then she walked away, certain that nobody had heard their plans.
The women settled in the drawing room and Cait wandered to the doors leading to the terrace.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Claudia asked.
“No thank you,” Cait answered and stared out at the night noting that there was barely a moon so they would likely go unseen.
“When do you leave on your wedding trip?” former teacher, Tess, now Lady Atwood asked Eve.
“We were going to leave tomorrow, but Kilsyth would rather wait.”
Cait turned to her sister. “Why?”
Eve frowned. “Perhaps you know. You have been conversing with Mr. Ashford today.”
Cait was surprised anyone had noticed.
