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With wide eyes, she stared across at him. “Mr. Branok, what on earth are you doing?” She glanced over her shoulder at the empty doorway. “Suppose someone sees you. Imagine what they would say.”

He ignored her words, catching her eyes and refusing to let go as he stroked his hands across her bare fingers. “I am begging you, Miss Fernside, on bended knee.”

She blushed, shaking her head as amusement returned to her eyes. “You have clearly taken leave of your senses, sir.”

She tried to pull her hand away, but he held fast. Perhaps he had taken leave of his senses. Did he not just tell himself that drawing closer to her would be a mistake?

Ah, well. What did he know anyway?

“Miss Fernside,” he began with an airy tone, “would you please do me the honor of telling me the truth about what you had been about to say? For I must confess, I shall die a slow and agonizingly painful death should I live out the rest of my days without the knowledge. I beg you, my lady—nay, I plead with you—to release me from my prison.”

“Very well,” she said in a sharp whisper, “I shall tell you, but only if you release me from this compromising position.”

He grinned. “Your wish is my command, my lady.” He bowed over her hand, then finally released her as he sat back in his seat.

“Heavens above,” she muttered, holding her hands in her lap as she shook her head, though her eyes shone with delight.

“So,” he began, not missing a beat from where they had been before he’d knelt, “you were saying.”

She hesitated again, and he made to move toward her, but she held her hands up to stop him. “Very well, I shall tell you. I was merely going to say, that…” She paused. “That I came on this tour with the very purpose of meeting you and being instructed by you.”

Henry stared. She had to be teasing. “Miss Fernside, you promised to tell me the truth.”

“That is the truth,” she insisted.

He narrowed his eyes, still unconvinced. Although, hadn’t she let it slip weeks ago that she’d come for him? “I thought you came for the birds.”

“That was only my second purpose. More than anything, I wished…” She blew out a sigh, pressing a hand to her brow. “I cannot believe I am admitting to this.” She muttered another unintelligible sentence before continuing. “I have longed to meet you for years now, ever since I first stumbled upon your books. So when I saw your name on the list, I knew I would join the excursion with the main purpose of seeing you and telling you how long I’ve admired you and your works.” She buried her face in her hands. “There. Are you satisfied?”

Henry thought he had been surprised before. Now? He was astonished. She’d come…for him?

“Have you nothing to say to the woman you’ve just discovered to be a shameless, prowling huntress?” she asked, peeking just above her fingertips.

“I…I find myself speechless,” he uttered.

“If I would have known that was all it took to silence you, I might’ve told you all of this weeks ago.”

He laughed. “I am equally flattered and surprised. And a touch frightened.”

“Due to my clear obsession, no doubt.”

“No. I am frightened that I’ve been an utter disappointment.”

She lowered her hands with a sigh, her petite shoulders slumped slightly forward. “Well, you oughtn’t be concerned on that account. At the risk of further puffing up your pride, I will tell you that being with you has far exceeded my expectations.”

Her sincerity touched him again. He longed to tell her his own feelings about the expedition—how she’d made it the most wonderful and engaging of his life. How she’d brightened his world and soothed his soul.

But she spoke again before he could say a word in response.

“Will I see you at dinner tonight?” she asked softly, staring at her fingers splayed across her books—his books.

She was ending the conversation, which was probably for the best. He needed to leave before he said something he couldn’t take back. “Yes, I will be there. I trust you will, as well?”

She nodded in silence.

Regretfully, he stood. “I will take my leave of you, then. So long as you promise we shall speak more this evening?”

She peered up at him, her eyes soft. “Of course.”