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She looked up once she was done, only to realize that he’d been staring at her with a dark intensity in his eyes. She licked her lips nervously, and his gaze dropped to her mouth, his eyes darkening.

“I—” I’m done, she was about to say. But the words died on her tongue as he leaned in and kissed her.

Her stomach flipped, all her senses rioting within her as she leaned into his soft, tender kiss. The world narrowed to the gentle pressure of his lips against hers, the slight roughness of his unshaven cheek against her palm, the thundering of her heart in her ears. This was no dream, no fantasy she’d conjured in the secret hours of night. This was real.

She couldn’t believe it.

He broke the kiss, their lips still inches away, their breaths mingling. Something tugged at Honoria’s lips, her chest, her body, as if an invisible thread bound her to him demanding for her to close the distance between them.

She obeyed.

Leaning in, she pressed her lips against his. But before he could reciprocate, the unmistakable sound of children’s feet pounding like a stampede echoed through the hallway outside.

They pulled apart hastily, creating a distance between their bodies.

“No, this is not how it was—I’ll show you!” came the children’s voices, growing louder as they approached.

Robbie unceremoniously burst into the room, hair tousled, Elise close behind, her face flushed, Rosie clutching her hand.

Caldwell turned to them, his expression instantly transforming into that of the proper guardian. Honoria straightened her spine and started collecting all the bandages with hands that were not quite steady, hyper aware of the children’s curious gazes.

“What is wrong with your face?” Elise asked, taking in the bruises, then her gaze dropping to his bandaged hand.

“I went boxing,” Caldwell replied simply.

“Truly?” Robbie’s eyes shone with boyish enthusiasm. “Can I go with you next time?”

“No,” Caldwell said firmly, “You’re too young. Maybe later.”

“Maybe it’s better if I go while I am young, so when I grow up, I don’t get as badly pummeled as you did.”

An unexpected chuckle escaped Honoria, and she slapped a hand over her mouth. The children, seeing her reaction, dissolved into laughter.

Even the earl’s lips twitched faintly. “Did you want something?” he asked.

“Yes. I was showing Robbie the waltz, and he insists I’m doing it wrong,” Elise said, lifting her chin. “As if he knows how to dance.”

“I said you’re leading wrong,” Robbie insisted, his face twisted with a stubborn scowl.

“Would you mind showing us?” Elise asked.

All eyes turned to Lord Caldwell, and he had no choice but to relent. Honoria wanted to excuse herself, saying she needed to clean up the desk from the medicine, but Rosie insisted on dragging her to the ballroom with them.

On the way there, Honoria couldn’t help but feel that everything was falling into place.

She walked among the children she loved, beside the man who had just kissed her. Her!

Not as a masked damsel at the masquerade. Not as a harlot or a mysterious stranger. But as a simple housekeeper.

Honoria touched her lips, her heart fluttering like a bird in her chest. Perhaps that kiss had changed everything between them. It meant he felt something for her—right?

Maybe she didn’t need to say anything more.

No need for dramatic confessions or grand declarations.

Just a kiss.

And maybe—just maybe—that was enough.