He tilted his head slightly.
‘Particularly curious, considering that same Anne Lucas was conveniently employed here as governess.’
‘Oh.’ Charlotte winced inwardly.
The candlelight flickered softly between them.
‘Are you one of them?’ he asked quietly, stepping closer.
He was near enough now that she could see the faint shadow darkening his jaw, and the awareness of his nearness unsettled her entirely.
There was no mockery in his expression now.
Only scrutiny.
‘No,’ she said at once.
Her hand lifted unconsciously, only for her palm to press against the firm line of his chest. She meant to push him away, but instead she stilled, fingers splayed against his waistcoat.
Neither moved.
‘I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,’ she said, her voice softer now. ‘And now I am trying to get out of this mess.’
His gaze dropped briefly to where her hand rested.
A muscle tightened in his jaw.
He searched her eyes for a long moment—so intently that Charlotte felt as though he were reading her very soul. She was certain no one had ever looked at her quite that way before. It ought to have unnerved her. Instead, for reasons she could not entirely explain, she felt... understood.
She did not waver.
At last, after a long silence, he said quietly, ‘I believe you.’
She withdrew at once, stepping back sharply. She needed clarity.
‘Your interference nearly ruined weeks of work tonight,’ he murmured.
‘Oh really? My interference saved your life at the ball,’ she shot back.
A faint, reluctant admiration flickered across his expression.
‘You are remarkably unrepentant.’
‘That is because you are remarkably insufferable, your royal haughtiness.’
That earned the ghost of a smile.
‘I have been attempting to track the Odd Fellows’ operation for several months now,’ he said, pacing slowly before the hearth.
‘For several months... but that would mean...’
He halted before the fire and regarded her steadily. ‘I worked closely with Lord Armitage before he departed for India. I took over his work.’
Shocked, Charlotte stuttered, ‘B-but that would mean you know Grace Skye.’
His eyes narrowed slightly. ‘I did help rescue her when Harry Averton kidnapped her and some other girls from her estate.’
Then he stepped closer, his brows furrowing in confusion.
