Mr. Dorian looked relieved at the reaction and ducked hishead with a bashful smile as Mr. Howard came over to shake his hand once more.
“Wasn’t that wonderful?” he said, once the clapping had subsided. “You can read the rest in his forthcoming book,A Spring on Corfu, which we are publishing in serial beginning next month. Mr. Dorian will also be leaving in a few days to tour America for the first time—”
“No.”
The word shot out of me like a cannon and was so loud that even people in the front row looked back. I sank low in my chair as I blushed to my hairline and prayed that no one could tell it was me.
“Not to worry,” Mr. Howard said with a chuckle. “He will return, of course. But we are both very hopeful that this will bring him new readership in the States.”
Mr. Dorian had also been looking towards the back. Then he blinked and nodded. “Yes,” he said, distracted. “Yes. Thank you.”
Lady Burton came to the lectern then to announce that refreshments would be served in the next room, and everyone began to stand.
“I need to leave,” I muttered to Delia.
“Now?”
“Yes,now.” I did my best to stand up, while also keeping a low profile. Mr. Dorian was still at the front of the room, speaking with Lady Burton and Mr. Howard, but he kept casting furtive glances in my general direction. I had to get out of the room before he spotted me.
“But you haven’t even spoken to him yet,” Delia said.
“Some other time.” Then I urged her out of her seat and pulled her from the room.
I had just retrieved our coats and was throwing mine on when someone called out to us from down the hall.
“Wait.”
I pretended not to hear as I threaded my arm through Delia’s and made for the exit.
But she dug in her heels. “What are you doing?” she hissed and came to a stop.
“Traitor,” I whispered before I slowly turned around.
Mr. Dorian approached us, looking apprehensive. “Mrs. Harper.”
“Oh. Hello there,” I said, as if we had just crossed paths in the park and not at the man’s own literary event.
He raised an eyebrow, and Delia slipped out of my grasp. “I’ll just go talk to Lady Burton for a moment.” Then she hurried away before I could stop her.
He cleared his throat. “How … how have you been?”
I let out a sharp laugh at his overly formal tone. “Oh, very well,” I said dryly.
Mr. Dorian must have been quite out of sorts because he did not pick up on my sarcasm, which was unlike him. “Truly?”
This only irritated me further. “In fact,” I continued, narrowing my eyes, “just the other day I found out my husband had been a spy for our entire marriage.”
Mr. Dorian finally caught on and looked ashen. “My God. Who told you this?”
I glanced away. “I met with the viscount, and he confirmed everything. Apparently, instead of colluding with Lord Linden, Oliver was actually working to bring the entire black-market ring down until the powers that be decided there was too much at stake and suggested he retire instead.”
Mr. Dorian let out a low whistle. “But that’s good news, no?”
I met his uncertain gaze. “It’s better than the alternative, yes. But I still wish he had been more honest with me. About any of it.”
“That is entirely understandable,” he said, as his eyes filledwith sympathy, but just as he began to say more, there was the sound of multiple footsteps behind us and someone loudly whispered, “I think he went this way.” It sounded very much like the young lady I had been seated next to.
Mr. Dorian subtly rolled his eyes and took my hand. “Come with me,” he said, as he led me through the nearest door into a receiving room and then through another door. This appeared to be a small sitting room, and a fire crackled happily in the hearth. Mr. Dorian firmly shut the door behind him and let out a breath. Then he fixed his dark gaze upon me and let out a breath. It was only then that I noticed just how out of sorts he seemed.
