Chapter 8

8

A lbright had no idea what he was doing.

He slipped onto Felicity’s property like a blasted burglar in the night, all the while cursing under his breath.

He was being ridiculous.

He wasn’t even certain why he was here. Creeping along the shadows, he shook his head at his own foolishness.

And yet…here he was.

He picked his way over to Felicity’s climbing tree, the slip of parchment in hand. He could have just sent a messenger, for heaven’s sake. And during broad daylight.

But no. He frowned. He’d decided to come himself. To act like a spy and leave a hidden message where Felicity might find it, and he couldn’t even say why he was doing such a ridiculous thing.

“You’re back.”

Felicity. The voice came from overhead, and his body reacted instantly. His heart slammed and his blood seemed to heat in his veins. But most of all, it was this strange, light sensation that stole over him that made him curse.

This was why he’d come. The truth of it was as overwhelming as it was unwelcome.

He paused a moment more to collect himself before tipping his head back. And…there. Perched on the lowest limb, Felicity smiled down at him. Her smile was brighter than the stars, and her eyes seemed to glimmer with moonlight.

His heart gave another sharp kick to his ribs. He had to swallow hard before he could speak. “Do you make a habit of spending time up there?”

“Yes.” Her tone was light, like she was about to laugh at any moment. “You don’t seem surprised to see me.”

She was keeping her voice low and soft so they wouldn’t be caught out here, and the dulcet tones wrapped around him like a blanket. Something inside him eased and thawed as if he’d just come in after a long winter’s journey and was finally basking before a fire.

He looked away. Stuff and nonsense. Felicity was a young lady, not a fire. And he was a gentleman. With a job to do, no less. He cleared his throat, readying himself to speak, but before he could— whoosh!

Felicity dropped to the ground right in front of him.

Again.

But this time he was prepared for it, and he found himself reaching out to help her, his hands gripping her arms to steady her. She stumbled forward a bit, and soon he was clutching her to his chest…

Which was how he found himself holding Miss Felicity McGovern.

In his arms.

In the moonlight.

His lungs stopped working entirely as she laughed up at him. Her hands were pressed to his chest and surely she could feel what her nearness did to him.

But she simply took a step back and performed a funny little curtsy. “Thank you, my lord.”

He tried to say an equally unfazed ‘you’re welcome’ but it came out as an incoherent grunt.

After a moment of silence, her lips quirked up in a mischievous little grin that made her dimples flash. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t invite you inside for tea…”

Oh. Right. He gave his head a little shake as he held up the parchment. “I came to give you this.”

She took it, read it, and cocked her head to the side. “A meeting time and place. How mysterious.”

“Yes, well, I never did get a chance to speak with you about what we know about Everson, nor how much you have learned.”

Ugh. For a man renowned for his charming manners, he sounded like a right prig.

“You sound like my old tutor,” she said.

He huffed. “I do, don’t I?”

His admission delighted her and her grin dazzled him.

He cleared his throat. “Apologies, I’m not accustomed to this sort of rendezvous. I’m not entirely sure what etiquette dictates.”

She feigned shock. “You mean you do not make a habit out of stealing into young ladies’ gardens at midnight?”

“Surprisingly no.”

They shared a smile this time, and the air felt significantly warmer than when he’d first arrived. He gestured to the limb above. “What were you doing up there?”

She hesitated, and for a moment her smile waned. But she recovered quickly. “Enjoying the moonlight and summer breeze. Why were you not shocked to find me here?”

“Because it is an evening filled with moonlight and a summer breeze,” he shot back.

His heart seemed to swell at her delighted laughter.

“Well played,” she murmured.

She leaned against the tree trunk. “Now then.” She held up the parchment. “Shall we exchange information like proper allies?”

No. Everson was the last thing he wished to discuss. But it was why he was here, wasn’t it?

For a little while they passed the time with business. They shared their information, and by the end he was well and truly impressed by how much she’d managed to discover.

“It pays to be notoriously curious,” she said when he said as much. “When you ask pointed questions about topics that are not your concern, no one suspects a thing.”

Her smile was too unapologetic and charming not to share. “Very useful,” he agreed.

But soon enough the conversation shifted. It drifted. Seamlessly and without effort, he found himself following her on a winding conversational path.

Or maybe she followed him. He had no idea how much time passed or how the words kept flowing, but he could have happily kept it going all night long.

Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately, he had no sense of right and wrong any longer—the sound of one of the townhome’s side doors opening and closing brought a swift end to their conversation.

Felicity moved first. She grabbed his shirt and tugged him with her as she dove behind the tree trunk. Holding him as she was, he found himself pressed against her.

Or rather, he had her pressed against the tree.

And he couldn’t move. His heart thudded painfully and his senses became so acutely attuned to her, he nearly forgot they could be caught.

But her eyes were wide with fear so he moved in even closer, and she gripped his shirt even tighter. They fell silent but their eyes locked, and Albright could have sworn they held entire conversations as they waited for…something. Anything.

Finally they heard a low voice and then a high giggle. Some whispering followed before they heard the male voice call out a farewell to his lover.

The door clicked shut once more, and Albright…didn’t move.

Felicity’s breaths were coming in short bursts and this close he could feel the warmth of her skin.

“I…” He started and stopped.

Her lips quirked up. “I think the danger has passed.”

“Yes.”

She’d said what he’d meant to say. It’s all clear. We’re out of danger.

And he could move. But he…really did not want to move. And she seemed in no hurry to push him away.

“It’s a good thing we weren’t caught,” she whispered.

“Yes.” Wonderful. He was only capable of saying one word, it seemed.

“Well, it was good for you,” she added.

He had to blink a few times and then he finally backed up a step. “Pardon?”

Her smile returned, but there was something off about it. An edge he did not care for. “If we’d been caught,” she said. “I’d have been ruined.”

“No,” he said quickly. His brows came down as he took another step back. Did she really think that little of him? “I would have done right by you.”

Her smile faltered a bit, and when it flickered back to life, he got the sense that she was trying not to cry.

“Felicity?” He reached a hand out and touched her cheek.

She pulled away. “I’m all right. Do not mind me. I’m being silly, that’s all.” She looked around as if only now realizing that she was still alone, outside, in the dark… “It’d be best if I go inside.”

He wasn’t entirely certain what had caused this shift in her, but he suspected it had to do with the thought of being caught. Did she really think he’d leave her to face the consequences on her own?

“I would have done right by you, Felicity,” he said again. “Your reputation is no trivial matter. I’d?—”

“Yes, I know.” She stared up at him for a long moment. “You would have married Ann.”

He frowned. What did Ann have to do with anything?

An uneasiness filled his stomach at the mention of her friend. Not that he missed her or felt regret or guilt, no…

It was just that Ann was the type of woman he’d thought he’d marry if he were to marry again. Someone soft spoken and compatible. Someone who would be a friend…

And only ever a friend.

Felicity’s eyes searched his. “So you’re not opposed to marriage, then. One might think you were.”

A pang of alarm shot through him as he watched Felicity’s eyes grow feverish.

Whatever had transpired between them tonight, it had not been friendship.

Not for him, at least. This was not the easy camaraderie he was looking for. This was not the placid, even-keeled partnership he wanted.

But Felicity was moving closer, her hands once more on his shirt and a smile on her lips that made him uncertain.

She made him uncertain.

“Some thought you’d never marry again, because you were so in love…”

Her words came in a rush so quickly he couldn’t keep up.

“But you’re not looking for love now, are you? That’s what Ann said…”

He took a deep breath and tried to focus. But the word ‘love’ coming from Felicity’s lips…

It did something to him. Whatever it was…it wasn’t good. Something inside him that had been held tightly together began to unravel. The neat stitching that had kept him upright and calm was fraying at the edges the more she spoke.

“So it had me thinking….” Her tone was light and her gaze bright. “Perhaps you should marry me then.”

His lungs faltered and his gut turned. The whole world went topsy turvey. His heart went wild at the thought of it, but the rest of him…

It froze.

Hardened.

The ease and warmth he’d been reveling in disappeared so quickly, it nearly gutted him.

He barely recognized his own voice as he gritted out. “I beg your pardon?”