The moment shespotted Lord Ackerly—approaching her position with a smooth, direct stride, his gaze locked upon the jewels around her throat—Eleanor touched the fingertips of one hand to the opposite elbow, giving the agreed upon signal to indicate Ackerly’s engagement. She had not yet seen Phin enter the ballroom, but she trusted he was near. There was also Iago and Aadesh watching from somewhere. She wanted to make sure it was clear that their quarry had taken the bait.
As Ackerly neared, she tilted her chin and thinned her gaze.
She had expected some clear reaction from the man. Anger, perhaps. Frustration, maybe.
What she saw was subtle amusement and sharp confidence.
The look in his eyes was intensely focused but the rest of him had reverted to his former slightly self-deprecating demeanor. The accusation and threat he had directed toward her on their last couple encounters was gone. He was oddly…comfortable.
Seeing his easy manner caused an instant rush of alarm. Why did she suddenly feel as though instead of forcing his hand, they’d played right into them.
She did her best to hide her unease as he stepped before her to give a short bow of acknowledgment. At their last encounter, she’d spokento him rather harshly. It was important to continue the game they’d started until he revealed himself. Tilting her chin, she spoke stiffly, “My lord, I do not believe we have anything to say to each other.”
He smiled. Slow. Easy. His eyes flickered swiftly from her face to the jewels then back to her face. “You know that’s not true.”
“Of course it is.”
His eyes narrowed and his voice dropped as he spoke through a firm smile, “You knew exactly what you were doing when you decided to wear that adornment.”
Surprised that he so boldly mentioned the necklace so quickly, Eleanor lifted her fingers to lightly touch the honeybee motif at the center of her throat. “It’s a family heirloom. Only recently recovered after being lost for many generations.”
She was intentionally vague, hoping he would supply his own context for his interest.
The man’s gaze was flinty and oddly intent. But then he took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment before exhaling. When he met Eleanor’s stare again, his manner had firmly regained the casual confidence that was so unsettling.
“I know exactly what that is. As, I’m certain, you are well aware.” He took a step closer and lowered his voice as a slow smile curved his lips. “Whatever little drama Waring concocted, thinking he could outsmart me…” He chuckled. “Well, the truth is, you’ve saved me some trouble.”
“Lord Ackerly, I’ve no idea—”
“You can stop there, my love,” he interrupted, the endearment snaking through her with a distasteful sensation. “The time for deception has long passed.” His eyes flickered to the jewels. “You made certain of that. We’d both be better served by dealing in truths from this point forward, don’t you think?”
Eleanor glanced around, seeking a glimpse of Phin. Her belly clenched when she failed to find him.
However, she did see Lydia and Bridget, both of them watching her carefully from a distance as they pretended to be engaged in socializing. It gave her some comfort, but she couldn’t shake her growing concern.
Where was Phin?
He’d promised to keep her safe. He had to be here. But where?
“I don’t know how you managed to convince that dolt to give you the artifact, but it doesn’t matter. Now that you have the necklace…and I have you,” he added darkly, “there is nothing more to stand in the way of our destiny.”
Eleanor tensed. His words reminded her that she had a role to play. This was her idea. She couldn’t misplace her courage now.
She held Ackerly’s disconcerting gaze. “Our destiny?”
“Indeed.” His stare bored into her as a wide smile flashed his teeth. “Tonight, we shall finally put the past to rest and claim the fate that should have been ours long, long ago. My bride has been returned to me.” His eyes darkened. “You will not be taken again.”
He couldn’t possibly mean what she thought he was saying. It was poor word choice. It had to be.
“You’re looking a bit pale, my love,” he said, full of false concern as he took hold of her arm and turned them both away from the dance floor. “Let us step outside for some refreshing night air.”
An icy blast of fear shot through her. Her instinct was to resist or make a scene, but even though something felt very off about Ackerly and how things were progressing, this was part of the plan. They’d suspected he would try to get her away from the crowd, and the garden was the easiest option. That was why Iago and Aadesh had been stationed there.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she muttered harshly, trying not to reveal to Ackerly that she’d anticipated his high-handedness. “You cannot handle me in such a way.”
His hand tightened around her arm as he pulled her in closer to hisside. “Keep your lips closed,” he hissed. “It is time you showed proper obedience.”
Eleanor’s gaze bounced around at the other guests they passed. People who quickly averted their attention, having grown accustomed to seeing her as odd, her activities as unusual. Ackerly somehow managed to paste a benign expression on his face as he smiled and muttered, “The lady grows faint. Fresh air should help.”
