He smiled indulgently at her. “It’s understandable. But remember. You can talk to me about anything.”
Tears pricked her eyelids and she stood rigid trying not to succumb to emotion.
“I’ll leave you to rest,” he said turning to the door. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Not going out tonight?” she asked in surprise.
“Oh yes,” he said with a wicked grin. “I’ve convinced Sebastian to go to a new gaming hell that’s opened on St. James. But we wanted to eat with you before leaving.”
She smiled, feeling oddly grateful for the gesture. “I’ll see you at dinner then.”
He left the room and she stood trying valiantly to stem the tide of tears welling in her eyes. How devastated he would be if he knew all she was hiding from him. How disappointed he and Sebastian would both be. But especially Quinn.
For the first time, she gave serious consideration to ending her assignment with Gray. She had already experienced far more than she had ever hoped to, and with each night she snuck out, she ran a greater risk of discovery.
But the idea of not seeing Gray again weighed as heavily on her as her family’s disappointment in her. She was inextricably torn between the two with no way to ever get over separation from either. She wasn’t prepared to say goodbye to Gray. Not yet.
With a heavy heart, she turned to her bed, and to the box that had taunted her all day. She flipped the clasp up and opened the box. To her disappointment, all that was inside was a small packet of letters, neatly tied together with a ribbon.
She carried it over to her bed and started to untie the letters when a knock sounded at her door. Nearly growling with frustration, she shoved the letters back inside the box and slipped it under her bed.
She obviously wasn’t going to be able to read them today.
Chapter Eighteen
“Here, put these on,” Gray said, handing Jenna an ornately decorated half mask and a full length cloak.
She glanced between him and the items in her hand. They were standing in his bedroom, her having just arrived. “What are we doing?”
“Not what we are doing, but where are we going?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
“Going? What are you talking about?”
“Put them on, we’ll talk later. Trust me.” He smiled encouragingly at her and dropped a kiss on her lips.
She donned the mask and cloak then twirled in front of him. “How do I look?”
“Perfect. Your own mother wouldn’t recognize you.”
She rushed over to the mirror and peered at her reflection. The sequined mask winked at her, the feathers around the edges fluttering softly as she moved her head. Only her lips and chin were exposed. He was right. No one could possibly recognize her.
“Are you ready?” he asked behind her.
She turned and took his arm. They walked downstairs and out to the street where the carriage awaited them. As was her habit of late, she glanced furtively around, examining the shadows.
“I won’t allow any harm to come to you,” he whispered, wrapping an arm tightly around her.
She smiled up at him, chagrinned that he had witnessed her fear.
He handed her in and climbed in behind her. Even before the carriage began moving, he pulled her into his arms, pushed up her mask and kissed her hotly.
She returned his kisses, melding her body to his hard chest. Her hands curled around his neck then delved into his hair. He smelled warm and comforting, like summer breezes and days by the stream. Forgotten was Stuart, the viscountess and her family. The hours belonged to her.
Slowly, he pulled away, pushing her mask back down to cover her face. “I could just as easily be persuaded to stay in tonight,” he murmured.
“Where are we going?” she asked again.
“Vauxhall Gardens.”
