Keeping his voice as low as hers, he quirked a smile and replied, “Did you doubt me?”
Her slight glance to the side revealed her answer before she spoke. “Maybe a little. I know you don’t like this idea.”
Reaching her, Phin couldn’t keep himself from sliding his arms around her waist to draw her against him. She circled her arms around his neck and tipped her head back to meet his stare.
“It’s a good plan,” he assured. “I’m with you. I’ll keep you safe.”
He said the words as a vow to himself as much as to her. He had tobelieve it or he’d never get through the night. He still didn’t like it that they had no idea what was motivating Ackerly. And no solid proof beyond the circumstantial that he was the lord behind it all. But that was exactly why they had to do this.
“My aunt will be here any moment to take me to the ball,” she murmured. “I need to be ready.”
“Your aunt?”
“Yes. Ralston is occupied with something else this evening, so Bridget’s mother will be our chaperone. It is a good thing,” she assured. “Aunt Julia doesn’t bother herself with our activities overly much. It will leave me free to engage in our plan. Lydia and Bridget also know to keep a distance tonight so Ackerly has an opportunity to approach unhindered. And they can cover for my absence if it’s required for some reason.”
Phin nodded. He didn’t like her being so alone. But he understood the importance of ensuring her activities went unnoticed by others.
Reluctantly, he released her to step back. “Turn around,” he said thickly.
As she did so, he glanced over her head to see them both now facing a full-length mirror. She stood partially in front of him—poised and focused and lovely. Her gaze met his in the reflection and her rose-kissed lips parted just a bit as her breasts lifted with a swift inhale. The edges of the image blurred as he looked into her eyes—an odd clenching in his chest.
He suddenly wanted to wrap both of his arms around her and pull her into him. Hold her against his suddenly racing heart. Keep her safe from mad men and the world. He clenched his back teeth in resistance.
The soft sound she made as she tilted her head as expression became concerned finally knocked him out of the moment.
He shook himself and cleared his throat.
Slipping the silk-wrapped parcel from his pocket, he unraveled the cloth and allowed the necklace to pour into his hand.
Her gasp brought his gaze back to the mirror where the gold and gems sparkled like multicolored flames. He realized this was the first time she’d seen the necklace—not a painting or a sketch—with her own eyes.
Tucking the silk back into his pocket, he lifted the necklace and brought it around her neck. It settled perfectly in place as he secured the clasp.
His next glance in the mirror claimed his breath, his heart, his soul.
She was stunning. A legendary princess of beauty and tragedy. A young woman of hope and love and fierce courage about to face a future she’d chosen.
The reflection was an exact replica of the painted image of that long-ago bride Mishra had left him.
The two women were the same.
Yet, they were intrinsically different.
Shocked to his core, and feeling oddly intrusive, he took a step back. His movement drew her attention and she blinked away from her own image to gaze at him over her shoulder.
“It’s astounding,” she breathed.
All Phin could do was nod. Itwasastounding. Mythical and real. A shock and a certainty.
He took a deep breath, trying to access some anchor within himself.
Then she turned in place to face him again.
And it was Eleanor—her dark eyes sparking with fire as she looked up at him, her lips softly curved and her jawline straight and firm—he felt a whooshing return of solid ground beneath his feet.
She arched a brow in question, tilting her head. “All right?” she asked gently.
Phin nodded again, still not quite able to access his voice, though air had returned to his lungs and blood pumped naturally through his veins once more.
