“Except it would not be you and me. It would be you and Caleb, a married man who’s practically your brother-in-law for all intents and purposes. Certainly, there are those who will find it odd, but bearing in mind your status as a spinster, I don’t think it will lead to scandal.”
“I don’t know…”
“The most important thing will be to prove our story, which means that I will actually have to do some painting while I am here.” He smiled at that thought. “Surely that’s too good an offer for you to pass up.”
She drummed her fingertips lightly against the tabletop while considering. Griffin’s heart thrummed with the sort of excitement he hadn’t felt in years. Not since opening his shop and selling his first mechanical bird. But it was back now, and he could only hope that the woman who had the power to grant him a bit of adventure, no matter how brief, would not deny him the chance.
Her eyes met his and he saw in them a resolve that caused him to hold his breath. “You will have to stay in the cottage, just as your brother once did.” Griffin expelled his breath and gave a quick nod. “Considering your rank, you should know that I am not comfortable with that demand, but it is a necessary precaution. I hope you understand.”
“Of course. And you must not worry. I’m accustomed to living modestly.”
She did not smile. Indeed, her entire demeanor had turned inscrutable. “You should also consider trimming your hair.” Reflexively, Griffin ran his fingers through his dark locks. “Caleb’s was shorter when he was here. Trimming it will make you more closely resemble the man the people here remember.”
“An excellent point. Anything else?’
Hesitating briefly, she then slowly nodded. “If we are to do this successfully, we must start right away. We’ll go into town so I can shop for some food while you purchase your supplies. This will give us a chance to establish the façade we wish to present.”
“And prevent suppositions from being formed.”
“Precisely.”
He liked her logical reasoning. “Then we are in agreement?”
She inhaled deeply, as if preparing to dive to the bottom of the ocean. A swift nod followed, and then, “Yes. I believe we are.”
Griffin almost whooped with the thrill that raced through him the moment she gave her consent. Vienna could wait. Staying here with Miss Howard, however, was the sort of opportunity he instinctively knew he ought not pass up. Because of duty and honor and the promise he’d made to protect her. To suppose there was any other incentive wasn’t something that he was prepared to admit.
6
There was onlyone reasonable explanation for why she’d agreed to Lord Griffin’s mad scheme, Emily decided as they walked to the village together after breakfast. She was obviously cracked in the head. If randomly kissing him at a ball did not confirm this, then letting him stay with her at Clearview for two weeks most certainly did.
But the truth of the matter was that as adamant as she had been about trying to send him away, part of her had hoped he’d stay. It was selfish, she knew, for her reasoning had everything to do with the way he made her feel. For the past six years she’d come to the gradual realization that she would probably never marry and that she was destined to dedicate herself to the children she and her friends had taken into their care
It was a purpose that filled her life with meaning, and she knew it ought to be enough. But as much as she loved the boys and girls who depended on her, she longed to experience the sort of passion that Mary had found with Caleb. And Lord Griffin offered that chance. Being the subject of his attention made her feel beautiful and wanted.
She glanced at him briefly, at the firm outline of his jaw set in profile. The attraction between them had to be mutual. She was certain of it. And as much as it unnerved her because of her limited experience with men and flirtation, it also instilled in her the desire to explore, study, and learn.
Two weeks.
That was the time they would have together.
Alone.
At Clearview.
Her heart fluttered rapidly against her breast. Any number of things could occur between now and Cassandra’s arrival. Presently, her most fervent wish was for him to give her a proper lesson in kissing. Because she already knew that there had to be more to it than what he had shown her in London. And since it was highly unlikely that she’d ever have a better opportunity to learn what all the fuss was about, she could not afford to pass up this chance. Even if it did mean risking her heart. Which was something of a problem since he did not seem the least bit inclined to repeat the effort.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
The sudden sound of his voice almost caused her to trip. “What?” She glanced at him and nearly lost her footing again on account of the warm, coffee-colored eyes gazing back at her from beneath a fringe of black lashes. His lips curved with a hint of amusement, and Emily’s stomach dipped in response.
“You’ve been very quiet since we left the house, except for the occasional sigh which suggests something’s troubling your mind.”
“It is nothing.” She deliberately coughed to conceal the bluntness of her words. And then, to ensure he would not press her further, she infused her voice with brightness as she added, “I was merely trying to decide what to make for dinner in the coming days. Is there anything you would rather not eat?”
He narrowed his gaze as if seeing straight through her attempt at directing the conversation toward him instead. A pause followed and for a second Emily feared he would once again insist on honesty from her.
To her relief, he shrugged and turned his attention toward the road ahead. “I am not partial to animal organs. And I cannot stand cabbage, cooked carrots, or brussels sprouts.”
