“What are you doing here?” he asked. “You’re supposed to be in London.”
Camille’s body shuddered at his nearness. It took more will than she cared to admit not to toss the plate of food and throw her arms around him like she had the last time they’d spoken. Reminder of their argument had her squaring her shoulders and a harder edge sounding in her voice. “I’m working.Youwere supposed to be in London.”
“Working? Good God, Lord and Lady Quickner are patrons?” He ran a hand through his hair, strands damp from a recent bath. “I have to find Charlotte immediately.”
Camille startled and glanced around as if the lady would materialize any second. “Lady Charlotte ishere? Why?” Though she had a suspicion a particular letter had something to do with it.
“I’d like an answer to that myself. To think of my sister in any social gathering is unprecedented. To think she’d come here with these kind of people is downright suspicious timing.” He took her by the arm and pulled her towards an alcove half-hidden behind a bust of what had to be Lord Quickner’s ancestor with a marbled chest.
“More importantly,” Renard said, “you shouldn’t be anywhere near these people, either. Go pack your bags, and I will escort you back to Lux Manor.”
Camille pulled her arm free, his demanding tone making her dig her heels in. “I am here on business. I can’t just leave.”
“Certainly you can. Whatever matters Madam Clarice needs resolved, I shall do in your stead. I daresay, I can handle a gentleman’s agreement far better than a woman.”
Camille stared. Of all the arrogant, chauvinistic... “No.”
“No?”
“That’s what I said.”
His brows furrowed. “You can’t tell me ‘no.’”
Camille laughed, a better reaction than throwing one of Lord Quickner’s ancestral busts at his person. They did look expensive. Throwing the plate in her hand was more out of the question. Syd really would kill her for wasting food.
Camille threw daggers with her gaze instead. “Did you go and hit your head on the ride here, Your Grace? Youmusthave suffered a head injury to believe I would let you dictate to me anything about where I go and what I do.”
Expression hardening, his voice turned to steel. “It is more than your safety that needs worrying about.”
Worry.Camille stilled, hope kindling. “I thought you didn’t want this baby?”
“Damn it, Milly. That’s not what I said.”
Something in her chest loosened, only to tighten with renewed anger. “No, you said I was trying to trap you!”
“I know! I’m an idiot, what else can I say? I handled the news about the baby badly.” At her glare, he amended, “I took it like an ass! A rutting, stupid ass. I’d never considered you’d be with child. I was so blissfully ignorant, I expected everything to fallin line at the right time like the pompous ass I am. When you told me, I was shocked, angry. I actually thought, ‘How could the world not obey my wishes?’ But I was never unhappy about the news.” He took her free hand in his. “I would love any child I had with you.” He pressed his forehead to hers, and she let him. “I’m sorry.”
Camille’s heart soared even as she pulled back. “You hurt me.” She clung to her anger like a shield. “This relationship is impossible as it is. If there’s no trust, then there’s nothing left between us.”
He reached for her, his expression pained, only for his hand to drop away, as if he knew his touch wasn’t what she wanted right now. “Please,” he said. “Please give me another chance. I won’t fail you again. I won’t failanyof us again.”
Mention of their child had the last of her anger melting away. That didn’t change the fact that her memory was long.
“Words don’t mean anything without actions to back them up,” she said. She wouldn’t forgive him. Not yet.
“I know.”
The grandfather clock chimed the late hour from the hall.
Renard glanced at the time. “I must find my sister and make sure she is safe.” His attention returned and he took her hand once again. “I want to make this work, Milly. Please, tell me, we can start again?”
Camille didn’t fight the hope rising in her this time, but she didn’t accept his apology outright. “Take care of your sister. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He nodded, his expression fallen though his voice was determined. “Tomorrow.” He looked towards the stairs, seeming at a loss.
Camille took pity on him. Confusion over their relationship was no reason to put a lady at risk. “Check with a housemaid,” she said. “They will know which room is hers and if she’ssupped.” She hoped someone had informed his sister to steer clear of the back gardens until dawn.
Renard’s gaze went to the balcony doors, where a beckoning light in the distance revealed the night’s festivities had already begun. “I can’t imagine what Lord and Lady Quickner are thinking, inviting innocents while they gallivant like witches in the dark? Anyone could stumble upon them.”
