An awkward laugh slipped free before Eleanor could stop it.
“No crowd, as you can see,” she replied. “Bridget is receiving her many admirers at home today.”
There was a flicker in his eyes before his lips widened into an easy grin. “Even better.” He took a step toward her and her heartrate sped.
“You said there was something you wished to show me. Is it here?”
Eleanor’s stomach clenched as she tensed.
He was here about the necklace. Nothing else. She needed to remember that.
But the kiss.
Forget the kiss.
“Upstairs, actually,” she replied, glancing to her nanny, who’d started to softly snore.
She’d initially thought that she would go to fetch the book and bring it down once he arrived. But now…she realized there was no reason not to just take him to the old music room. Her chaperone was asleep. Her brother was gone from the house. The servants obviously didn’t care.
Maybe it was the frustration she couldn’t ignore at being reminded where his interest lay. Or maybe her disappointment and embarrassment over her constant failure had finally turned to something else. Something slightly angry and rebellious.
If she couldn’t be what everyone expected her to be, maybe it was time to just be herself.
And herself happened to be someone who currently didn’t give a rotten fig for propriety.
“Come with me,” she said firmly before she lost the spark of courage that had suddenly ignited within her.
She strode past the viscount and exited the room, hearing and feeling him close behind her as she continued across the empty hall to the stairs.
It felt scandalous to lead him through her house to her private rooms.
Itwasscandalous.
But it was also a bit surreal.
Because of how easily she inspired caustic gossip just by being herself, she was always so very careful not to willfully give any additional fodder for the mills. The strain of having to constantly be aware of how she might be perceived and judged, had left her feeling frozen and stiff for so long that this small act of defiance made her feel daring and bold, indeed.
And she couldn’t help the small curve of satisfaction that claimed her mouth.
“What are you thinking to make you smile like that?” Waring asked as he came up to walk beside her along the wide upper hallway.
The smile faltered. She should’ve known he’d be watching her. He always seemed to notice things about her she’d prefer to keep to herself. Sliding him a quick sideways glance, she tried to prepareherself for the rush of extreme awareness she always felt when meeting his gaze.
It didn’t help.
In an instant, her body felt too warm, too trembly, toopresent. And awkwardness quickly followed.
Pink rushed to her cheeks and her lashes fluttered. Only pride kept her from stumbling.
He smiled back, his handsome features curious and amiable.
Eleanor shrugged. “I was just thinking of how unlike me all of this is.”
“This?” he asked with a tilt of his head.
She made an encompassing gesture. “Receiving a gentleman without a chaperone. Engaging in clandestine meetings. Facing some unclarified threat.”
His smile curled. “I’m disappointed you didn’t mention our kiss last night.”
