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“I still cannot imagine why you are so determined.”

“Imagine the look on Mr. Branok’s and Miss Fernside’s faces when we tell them we discovered it first,” Mr. Shepherd said.

They laughed together, and Lark pulled back to meet Mr. Branok’s gaze. They shared a look of amusement in the darkness, but as her eyes dropped to the smile tipping his own lips upward, her heart thudded dully in her ears.

They were so close to one another. Her fingers loosened round his jacket, no longer clutching at the fabric but resting at his sides.

“You are mad if you think that possible, my dear,” Mrs. Shepherd responded. “Those two could find a flock of birds with their eyes closed at the bottom of the sea, I’m sure of it.” She broke off with a sigh. “They are quite a formidable pair. When will they finally see reason and wed?”

Lark stiffened. She dropped her gaze, though she felt Mr. Branok’s watchful eye on her as the conversation continued.

“I don’t know,” Mr. Shepherd said. “We both know they have no plans to do so.”

“Yes, that is what they’ve said, but it is another matter entirely what they feel. Surely you’ve seen the way Miss Fernside brightens whenever his attention is upon her.”

Lark could no longer feel the chill on the air, heat rushing through her body. Mr. Branok still stared down at her, but she could not lift her gaze. Her humiliation was already acute.

“They’re always sneaking off together, too,” Mrs. Shepherd continued, her voice dropping to a whisper, though it carried on a draught. “And the way he watches her? There are veritable stars in his eyes. Surely you have noticed that.”

Lark fought everything within her not to look at Mr. Branok. She had seen those stars far too often in his expression. They would be ingrained in her memory for eternity.

“I couldn’t say I have noticed that,” Mr. Shepherd responded. “We gentlemen aren’t the most observant when it comes to such matters.”

“Hmm,” Mrs. Shepherd hummed disappointedly. “Then there is nothing recent you’ve seen or heard from Mr. Branok that would point to his feelings for Miss Fernside?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Pity. I was certain just one small piece of information would make me so happy, I’d be in a very accommodating mood…”

She trailed off knowingly. Silence followed, then Mrs. Shepherd giggled again.

“In that case,” Mr. Shepherd said, “I do have a bit of knowledge that might satisfy you. Have I told you about Mr. Branok standing up for Miss Fernside?”

Mrs. Shepherd gasped. “Do tell.”

Lark was certain Mr. Branok could feel her heartbeat thudding against his own as Mr. Shepherd spoke.

“It happened after dinner one evening,” he said. “Mr. Chumley was carrying on as usual, complaining for one reason or another about Miss Fernside.”

“Insufferable man,” Mrs. Shepherd muttered.

“Indeed,” Mr. Shepherd said grimly. “At any rate, most of the men allowed the words to progress. But not Mr. Branok. Not only did he compliment her humor and honesty, but he also confessed that her talent for bird observing was unmatched, even with himself. He ended with defending her honor, as well, when Mr. Dunn dared question the accuracy of her list. Needless to say, the men do not speak so unjustly about Miss Fernside any longer—especially when Mr. Branok is around.”

Mrs. Shepherd responded with an airy sigh, but Lark heard nothing else. She frantically blinked to rid her eyes of the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. The knowledge of Mr. Branok’s defense of her was not a surprise, nor were the words he’d spoken that he’d never meant for her to hear. Instead, they aligned with exactly who she knew him to be—the only man who would ever hold her heart.

Unable to help herself any longer, she raised her gaze to his, the movement causing a tear to slip from her eye. It trailed down the side of her features, leaving a cold path behind it.

Mr. Branok studied her, his brows turned up with emotion as he focused on her eyes, lips, then teardrop.

The air hummed around them with the crickets chirping and the distant sea’s waves rumbling, though the energy between her and Mr. Branok was the loudest of all.

“Did my information make you happy?” Mr. Shepherd said, his voice a distant echo in Lark’s mind.

“It most certainly did,” Mrs. Shepherd whispered. “But I fear I am far too frozen to do anything about it.”

“Then let us return indoors, my darling.”

“What about the bird?”