“What of your family?” Perry asked. “Have you a wife somewhere?”
“It’s not wise for a soldier to marry, miss.”
She infused patience into her smile. “That was a dodge, if ever I’ve heard one. A yes or a no, Mr. MacEwen.”
He sighed. “No. No wife.”
Jenny brushed Fergus again, setting down a plate of bread.
Fox’s lips quivered.
“And do you know, Mr. Fox, I’ve never asked you that question. Have you a wife somewhere?”
His eyes narrowed on her, but he did not answer right away. She could see him struggling with what to say.
Perhaps he did have a wife. That would make him ineligible for marriage. It would increase the scandal if they were caught under the same roof, and if she actually dared to act on these unfamiliar feelings, the wickedness…
But no. She would not do that with another woman’s husband.
Her question had thrownhim off balance. He should dodge as MacEwen had done, or lie and say yes. He might have married in America, which he’d left at the tender age of eighteen.
But here…nowhere in this old world was an impoverished painter a candidate for matrimony, and neither was a spy.
Her look was direct, but for once, shuttered. The sweep of her hair tied back loosely softened her narrow face and angular features, and the light from the lamp made her amber eyes luminous. Almost, almost, he could see her lips tremble.
He could lie, but he wouldn’t.
“No.”
She expelled a breath and her eyes softened.
No, Perry, not me.You cannot look that way at me.
“Nor do I wish to have one, which is why I hope that you will let me escort you back to the main coaching line so that you may return to London.”
Her face paled and then colored deeply, the pink glow flowing into the lacy neckline of her night wear.
Shame smacked him like an invisible hand, but he had to go on, even with the maid and MacEwen listening. He reached for her elbow. “My lady, in spite of my handsome face, you could not wish to be forced into a marriage, not with the likes of me. Not that your father would consider me a suitable match. But to protect your reputation, he might insist you marry someone else.”
Her face had gone stony. She tried to pull away, but he held on. “Or, he mighttryto insist and make your life a misery as long as you resist. Will you let me take you away?”
“No.”
“I can escort you and your maid, my lady.” MacEwen said.
“No,” and “No,” Perry and Fox said at the same time.
Her elegant chin lifted. “You both might as well tell me whose arrival you’re expecting.”
MacEwen opened his mouth, closed it, and looked at Fox. The silence stretched.
Fox nodded to MacEwen.
MacEwen cleared his throat. “A dangerous man.”
She snorted. “Everyone who gathers about my father, friend or foe, is dangerous.”
“He’s a smuggler from these parts,” Fox said. “And that’s all that we’ll say.”
“Else your father would skin us alive,” MacEwen said. “As he might do, did he but know you were here and we allowed you to stay.”
She chewed on her lip, swinging her gaze from MacEwen to him. Finally, she pushed back her chair and stood and picked up a lamp. “Jenny, go back to bed. I’m going to check on Chestnut and then I’ll come up.”
And then she was gone.
The maid glared at MacEwen. “You,” she said. She turned her accusing eyes on Fox. “I’ll not go anywhere until Lady Perry returns safely to the house.”
Fox snatched up the other lamp. “Suit yourself.” And then he left.
