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But he raised a hand to stop her. “Worry not, I’ve already thought this through. I’ll simply reserve two rooms so we may dress separately tonight. You may both wait out here to avoid us being seen together at the inn.”

He walked forward, but she called out for him. “Wait a moment, Mr. Steele.”

He turned, frowning with exaggeration. “Excuse me, but if I cannot say your name, I’d prefer if you would not use mine, either. We are in this together now, you and I.”

He faced forward.

“Mr. Steele—”

He whirled around with his finger to his lips and a barely refrained smile then made for the inn again.

Marianne would have grinned at his playful behavior, were it not for her continued guilt. Was he truly all right going along with her plan, then? Or was he simply doing so because he had no other option?

She looked away from his masculine stride, moving to the side of the inn where they were further removed from the busying street.

“Are you well, Jane?” Marianne asked.

Jane nodded. “Yes, miss.” Her eyes darted around anxiously.

“You mustn’t worry. Even if we are discovered—which we will not be—you will not be removed from your position at Daffley Park. I will make certain they know that I forced you into this.”

Jane’s shoulders lowered a fraction, and she smiled with gratitude, though the worry in her eyes remained.

Marianne’s worry persisted, as well. If she could not even control her own life, how could she convince Father to not remove the maids from their positions at Daffley? And how could she convince him to keep Mr. Steele on?

Mr. Steele returned with two keys only a moment later, extending one to Marianne. “I’ve placed the portmanteaus in our respective rooms and requested a meal to be sent up for us midday. I would advise you to remain in your room from this point forth to avoid anyone happening on us until the assembly this evening.”

Marianne fiddled with the key between her fingers. Mr. Steele motioned them forward toward the inn, but she hesitated.

“What is it?” he asked. “Do not tell me you’ve lost your nerve now.”

“No.” She paused, pulling her cloak further over her eyes as a couple walked past them. “No, it is not that at all. I’m afraid I’ve developed a conscience.”

He watched her in silence.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, grimacing. “I never should have done this. I put so much at risk. That alone would not be so terrible if I was not also endangering your own reputation and livelihood.”

He huffed a mirthless laugh. “My reputation is not at stake from this, I assure you. You ought to be more concerned with your own reputation by being with me.”

She paused. What on earth did he mean by that? She brushed the comment aside and moved forward.

“I should not have coerced you into such a thing. I will retrieve my belongings now and reimburse you for the rooms and for your troubles. Then we may leave for Ashwick the moment the next coach arrives.”

“At midnight tonight?”

Her heart sank. “The coach does not return until then?”

He shook his head, a small smile lifting the corner of his lips. How was this in any way humorous?

She pressed a hand to her brow. “Then I suppose I shall simply heed your advice and remain in my room until the coach arrives.”

She made to walk past him, but he held out an arm to stop her. “Just a moment. After all you went through to get here, after traveling and scheming and plotting, you mean not to attend the assembly after all?”

She stopped. “I hardly deserve to, especially with the man I’ve deceived.”

He dropped his chin and raised his eyebrows in a dubious look. “Miss Cov—” He stopped, looking around to ensure his blunder hadn’t been heard. “I was aware that you were playing to my conscience earlier. But I assure you, I came of my own accord.”

She shook her head. “You couldn’t possibly have. You never would have come had you not been determined to protect me.”