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“Rumors are as untamable as a free bird in flight,” she replied, taking a step toward him. “I would never blame you for that.”

“What would you blame me for?” he asked in a whisper.

He remained where he stood, his brow furrowed, though his eyes dropped to her mouth for half a second.

That was all the encouragement she needed. “I would blame you for increasing my desire to be near you.”

“And why do you wish to be near me?” he asked, his gaze stalwart, no hint of teasing in his eye.

Whispers of waterdrops slipped past the trees, falling down around them. The air was still, no breeze to be felt, and any chill Lark might have experienced was warded off due to Mr. Branok’s greatcoat still draped round her shoulders.

“Mr. Yates did not allow me to walk in the rain because of how it made me appear—ragged and weary.”

Mr. Branok frowned, his jaw twitching in disapproval, but she continued.

“My aunt and uncle do not allow me to come out into the rain for fear of me catching a cold.” She drew a step closer. “But you? You believed in my ability to help with the owl. You did not push me back indoors. You are the only gentleman who has not told me to hide from the rain. Instead, you protected me from it…and sacrificed your own comfort to do so. That is why I wish to be near you.”

Her hand moved as if of its own accord, sliding down the shape of his shoulder to the lines in his upper arm.

Mr. Branok swallowed hard. “You deserve to make your own choices in life, Miss Fernside,” he began, his voice husky.

“All of them?” she asked, peering up at him through her own wet lashes.

She had taken leave of her senses. What other excuse had she to draw so close to him, to make her desires so known—directly after she’d told him she still had every intention of remaining single?

What was her intent to be near him, then? To ask for his kiss, but to remain unattached?

The truth of the words slipped into her conscience like the rain to the earth below. That was precisely her intent. She’d longed for it ever since that night on the stairs. Just one kiss. That would surely satisfy any desire she had.

Perhaps that truth made her a scoundrel herself. A broad. A…a loose woman. But as she stared up at Mr. Branok, the man whose work she’d admired for years, the man who’d seen her for who she was and allowed her to be—encouraged her to be—her true self…She did not care what she was labeled, so long as the label was Mr. Branok’s desire.

But she would not push him further.

The line between his brow deepened, desire clear as day within those blue eyes she’d grown to love, and her heart dipped with anticipation.

Just like before, the space between them sparkled with energy as if anticipating a lightning strike. But unlike before, Lark would not say a word. Instead, she kept her eyes on him, her lips slightly parted, open and ready to accept his affection.

An errant raindrop splashed against his cheekbone, sliding along the side of his features. It lingered at the edge of his jaw, and Lark hesitated a moment before reaching forward, gently wiping the moisture away.

Mr. Branok’s broad chest rose with a deep breath, and he closed his eyes with a furrowed brow. When they flashed open again, his gaze was more intent, and the determination within them caused her stomach to turn pleasantly.

His jaw flinched, again and again, as if he fought an internal battle to keep away from her. She longed to tell him he was fine, that she did not think less of him for having the desire to kiss her—that she thought more of him.

She longed to let him know that all would be well after the kiss, that they would both be able to maintain their plans to remain single.

But she knew, one word would break the spell.

She could do nothing but wait.

Now, it was up to him.

Chapter 28

Henry knew Miss Fernside wanted this. He knew it as perfectly as he knew he wanted it himself.

And though he’d fought a good fight for as long as possible, her touch and the look in her eyes broke down any remaining barriers until he was finally ready to admit that his will had lost—and his heart had won.

He knew the consequences to their actions. She had to, as well. But clearly, they were past the point of caring. Clearly, it was now time to act.