Page 48

He nodded warily. “Friends tell each other the truth.”

She lowered her voice. “Then I will tell you why I act.” She paused, looking away. “I act because, on my own, I have never been...” Her throat momentarily closed. She waited for the sensation to pass. “Enough.”

He fell silent and stared. The animal scents weren’t the sole reason she struggled to breathe. The air around them had grown dense.

“You are enough,” he said roughly.

“Asquith,” she whispered.

He appeared to collect himself. He coughed lightly into a closed fist. “As for that hat...” He pulled a face and shook his head.

Her chest contracted. He’d purposefully ruined the moment! Why?

“Don’t say a thing,” she warned under her breath.

He whistled a phrase from Beethoven’s Fifth—a phrase widely considered to have been inspired by birdsong of the male yellowhammer.

“I know I look ridiculous,” she whispered fiercely. She blinked to clear the sting in her eyes.

Asquith, too, lowered his voice. “I’m only teasing.” He dipped his head to catch her gaze. “Again, I must apologize.” He wasn’t smiling any longer. “Allow me to do penance? For...” He sighed wearily. “For everything.”

“What penance?”

“I’ll carry Millie’s pelisse, if you’d like.”

“Why?”

“Because you are overly warm and the fur trim looks heavy.”

“It is.” Her irritation lessened, not because of his words, but because of the gentleness of his tone. “Thank you.”

“No trouble.” He lifted the garment from her shoulders and then folded it over his arm.

“What are the two of you discussing?” Preston called back.

“My guardian disapproves of my hat.”

Asquith opened his mouth to speak.

“Quite a hat, I say,” Preston cut Asquith off. “Makes you look fresh as a spring day and equally lovely. Reminds me of a bird my mother had.”

“Preston,” Amelia scolded. “Telling a lady she looks like a canary is not likely to impress.”

Lenora slanted Asquith a glance. See? Then, she asked, “Is Lord Preston trying to impress?”

“Undoubtedly,” Amelia answered.

“I loved that bird,” Preston added, with affront. “If I have caused offense, may I make it up to you by escorting you to the next cage?”

She glanced over at Asquith, who was studying Preston, his expression blank. She waited, but he did not offer his arm.

“Very well.” She slid her arm into Preston’s. “But do try not to insult me again, no matter how prettily.”

Lady Amelia swallowed another snort.

***

“Well, Lord Asquith,” Lady Amelia sighed, “it seems you are to be my companion now.”