But that was the very idea she needed to forget about.
And to forget about it now.
Asher walked beside Evelyn companionably,seemingly in silent agreement that they shouldn’t mention any important matters until they were alone.
He had wanted to speak to her again, but the truth was, he also sought out her company. While he had previously tried his best to stay away from her in fear that it would only cause others to ask further questions about them, after that dance, he couldn’t help but want more.
For she made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time — like himself.
She didn’t speak to him like he was a duke, didn’t try to curry favor or seek a marriage proposal like everyone else around him.
He liked it — perhaps too much.
“If you are wondering what I have learned, unfortunately, the answer is absolutely nothing, except that gossip swirls amongst thetonworse than I ever thought was possible,” she finally said with a sigh.
“Agreed,” he said grimly. “I heard a few people say the stirrings about either of us being near the diamond or with one another originated from someone connected to Lady Norwood, buteveryoneis connected to Lady Norwood, so that does not tell us much.”
“No, it certainly does not,” she said, stopping and looking up at him, and he wondered if that was starlight he saw dancing in her eyes. His gaze caught on something in her hair near her temple, and he leaned forward, lifting a hand toward her.
She nearly flinched at the gesture, but he murmured, “Hold still,” before plucking a tiny scrap of thread from her hair, hisfingers just brushing over her skin, which was as soft as he had imagined it to be, her hair smooth and silky.
They were so close he could feel the puff of her breath on his cheek, and for a moment, he wondered what it would be like to lean down and take her lips. His hand hesitated as he moved it downward, hovering just over her jaw.
Asher’s pulse hammered as he wondered if it would hurt anything to explore whatever was happening between them. He enjoyed her company. She was a respectable woman of theton, and yet… he didn’t want marriage to be thrust on him, and right now, it seemed that someone was trying to orchestrate this connection between them. At this moment, he had no idea if Lady Evelyn herself was part of it.
So, with tightly controlled restraint, disappointing himself more than anyone, he decided he needed to step back. Put more space between them.
But before he could act on that thought, an “Oh my!” rent through the night air, and he cringed.
He didn’t move. There was no point.
Lady Evelyn, however, jumped back as though she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, and finally Asher realized he had no other choice.
He turned around to face his fate.
Lady Norwood was standing there, a smug smirk on her face.
She tsked. “Here I thought the rumors were exaggerated.”
Apparently, Lady Norwood could find them no matter where they tried to hide on the grounds of her home.
Lady Evelyn groaned slightly behind him, and Asher stepped forward, his arms crossed stiffly as he did all in his power to protect her.
But it was too late.
Lady Norwood was still smiling.
Victorious.
While the implication hung in the air.
They were here in the garden, alone together, with no one about, Asher’s hands on Evelyn’s face.
But all he could wonder was if Lady Norwood was orchestrating this scandal. Did she want them compromised for more reasons than her own ability to spread the rumor from her own party? Was there more at play here?
“Lady Norwood,” Lady Evelyn attempted, stepping forward as Asher just stood there, practically growling. “The duke and I were discussing the rumors surrounding us. That is all.”
“That looked like more than a discussion, did it not, ladies?” she said, glancing over her shoulder, only for two other ladies, whom Asher assumed were her friends, to step out beside her.
