“No,” he said again. “Get inside the carriage.”
“Give me the list, and I will make it worth your while,” she said. Something like panic had begun to creep into her eyes. He looked away.
“It was ruined in the rain,” he said. “We’re going.”
“I don’t believe you. Let me see it.”
“We cannot stand in the muddy street and quarrel about it,get in.”
She ignored him. “You’ve already recorded the names. Why do the work of writing it all down only to refuse me now? Shaw—please. I’ll nottrouble you again if you simplyhand over the list.”
He swore and glanced over his shoulder. The second-to-last sister was being gingerly loaded into the front carriage. There was no time for this.
“At least listen to what I will trade,” she pleaded.
He was shaking his head.
“I... I’ll keep a prudent distance from you,” she vowed. “No more garden parties. I’ll not ask you to do anything a groom would not ordinarily do. I’ll not impose on—”
“You’ll not impose, and you’ll not ask for more. You will keep your distance regardless.” He took her by the elbow. “This is over, my lady.”
She sucked in an outraged breath, but Declan cut her off. “I can save my job by giving him the list. He’ll not understand it and you’ll not be punished.”
“Except every day for the rest of my life,” she cried.
He refused to hear. “If I hand it over now, you may let go of this madcap plan before you’ve wasted any more effort.”
“Wasted effort? You don’t think I can manage it.”
“Helena, please,” he gritted out. “We are not allies or collaborators, but if we make an effort to be civil, we need not be enemies.”
“Civil?” she said. “Was that our rapport in the stable last night? Civility?”
“You would not,” he said.
“Would not what?”
He dropped her arm. He took two steps back. “What am I thinking? Of course you would!”
“Wouldwhat?” she demanded, confused. “Youthink I’ll tell Girdleston about the stable? Are you mad? That was a personal moment, between the two of us.”
“I barely know you,” he gritted out.
“Well, that is your poor choice, because I’m a lovely girl. Really. And I’ve been nothing but honest with you. Which was your idea, by the way.”
“Toohonest,” he growled. He took her elbow again. “But now you must get in the carriage. Your mother’s vehicle is ready.”
“Give me the list.”
“Forget the list.”
“Oh, Shaw,” she breathed, the words coming out in a dramatic, melodious rush. He swung around, surprised by her sudden change in tone.
She looked him in the eye and shook her head in two slow, determined shakes.
She tugged her arm free of his grasp.
“What is it?” he asked, letting her go.
