EIGHT
Collin tried to regulate his breathing, but the panic filling him, made it impossible. To be pulled so quickly out of a passionate kiss, and to realize the danger of being caught, had affected him so fast that he couldn’t think straight. How could they not have been caught? Whoever this person was would certainly tell Adeline’s father about catching them alone and in a scandalous embrace.
Unless it was her father...
Swallowing the terror rising up in his throat, he concentrated on the man coming toward them. Collin’s mind was sluggish and wouldn’t work properly, but he needed to come up with an excuse quickly in order to smooth over what just happened between him and Addie.
When the intruder was closer, Addie sighed and placed her hand to her neck. He glanced at her relaxed body. She smiled weakly at the unknown man.
“Oh, Simon. It’s you,” she said, breathless.
“Miss Featherstone?” The man’s gaze jumped back and forth between her and Collin. “What... are you doing here?”
“Um, well...” she stammered.
Finally, Collin recognized the man. It was the driver of the hackney that Kentwood hired. Collin stepped forward, aiming his scowl at the man. “The question should be... what areyoudoing here?”
“Uh, forgive me, my lord, but Lord Kentwood sent me to find you.”
“You are here to findme?”
“Yes, my lord. He is waiting for you in the hackney.”
“Then tell Lord Kentwood I will be there momentarily.”
The man looked back at Addie, who stood stiff as she wrung her hands against her middle.
“Simon,” she said in a small voice, “please do not tell anyone you saw me here.”
The man nodded. “As you wish, Miss Featherstone.”
Once the driver left the area, Collin breathed a little easier. However, Addie still appeared very stiff. He rubbed her shoulders, trying to get her to relax.
“It will be all right,” he told her.
“Servants like to gossip.”
“How do you know Simon?”
“He once worked for my father,” her voice shook.
Collin wrapped his arms around her, urging her closer, but she pushed away from him. “Collin, we were almost caught.”
“Yes, I know.”
“We should leave, but not together.”
He caressed her cheek. “Addie, my sweet, please don’t worry. I’ll make sure your name is not ruined.”
As she stared at him, her shoulders slowly relaxed, and a smile touched her face. “Do you promise?”
“Of course.” He rubbed his thumb on her cheek. “I feel the same as you do, and getting caught in a passionate embrace is definitely not something I want to happen, either. But I’ll warn Simon to keep his mouth shut. I might have to pay him off, as well.”
Her smile disappeared. “Oh... I see.” She moved toward the manor. “I should leave first.”
“Yes, and I shall keep watch to make sure you return to your aunt’s house unscathed.”
“I thank you.”
