A futile thought.
“For now, however, all they will know is what a scandalous rogue I truly am.”
“Then I will tell them.”
He kissed her forehead. “You will not. In fact, we need to get you home and away from here as soon as possible.” He rolled away from her and swung his legs off the bed.
“Back to Adrienne’s.”
He looked back at her. “What?”
“I have to go back to Adrienne’s. I theoretically spent the night there. My carriage will arrive there, my maid included, at ten. As long as I’m there in time, ruination will have to wait.” She got up and went to a pile of clothing on the sofa. “Help me with my bindings.”
He pulled on his small clothes and trousers, glancing at her as he fastened the buttons. “You cannot truly expect me to squash your beautiful breasts.”
Her cheeks flared red, which made her freckles even more prominent. “I apologize if your sensibilities are offended, sir, but these are the only clothes I have. Without the bindings, I cannot button the shirt or waistcoat. The result would be a rather unfortunate and ruinous trip across the city.”
Robert laughed, which he had not done in quite a long time. “Very well, mademoiselle. I am persuaded.”
He went to her, and she held one end of the linen bindings in place beneath her armpit. He winced as the first pass across her chest flattened her, but helped her continue to wind the long strips around her body. “Does that not hurt?”
She shrugged. “Uncomfortable at first. It does hurt more the longer it’s on.” She tucked the end in place and picked up her shirt. “When may I look at the books?”
Robert reached for his own shirt and slipped it over his head. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched Eloise finish dressing, transforming herself back into a young man. As she twisted her hair into a rough plait she then tucked up under the cap, he had an odd thought, ill-formed and uncertain, which he would need to study in more detail later. He cleared his throat. “Let me get through... this stage first.”
Her face fell, and she was at his side in a second. “I’m sorry.” She cupped his face in her hands. “I know this will be horrible for you. Bill. Makendon. All of it. If I can help, please tell me.”
He nodded. “I hate to ask—”
“Anything.”
“Listen to Lydia.”
She inhaled sharply, then nodded. “Of course. She will have plenty to say about this.”
“No doubt.” He put his arms about her waist and kissed her, a bare touch, then backed her away and stood. “We need to go.”
He took her hand and led her out of Lucy’s room, back down the stairs, and onto the main floor. Several of the guards were beginning to mill about and he asked one to fetch a hackney to the alley entrance. He had Eloise wait until he went upstairs to the office for money, then they stood just inside the alleyway door, silent, until the vehicle rolled to a stop. He gave the driver the direction, handed up the money, then opened the door.
Eloise paused before getting in. She put a hand on his chest. “I will send word as soon as I know something.” She smiled. “Don’t forget me.”
“Not until the day I die.” This time his kiss lingered and deepened. With a sigh, he gathered her into his arms, lifting her until her feet dangled. As he set her down, a scuffing sound came from the door, and they turned to see Gilley filling the door frame, his eyes bulging, his jaw gaping.
Robert frowned, confused by the man’s horrified expression.
Eloise, apparently, was not. She stepped away from Robert and toward Gilley, her hand out, palm down. “Mr. Gilley, I’m afraid we have not been formally introduced, so I hope you will forgive my forwardness. I amLadyEloise Surrey,daughterof the Earl of Pentney, currently masquerading as a young gentleman in order to gain access to this establishment. I do hope you will also forgive my subterfuge as well as this improper display of affection between myself and Rob—Mr. Green. I’m afraid in our enthusiasm we forgot ourselves.” She continued to hold her hand out, bouncing it as a reminder that she awaited the proper response.
Her emphasis on the words “lady” and “daughter” brought the message home, and Robert scrubbed a hand across his mouth to keep from laughing. The formality of her rapid-fire explanation would have startled even the most experienced courtier—poor Gilley remained stunned.
“Kiss her hand,” Robert prompted.
Gilley seemed to come to awareness then, jerking out of his reverie. He tugged at his cap. “Ma’am.” He then bent and placed an extremely awkward kiss on her knuckles, without touching her otherwise. “It is ma’am?”
“It is, sir. Most assuredly.” She turned, and Robert realized that his tender lover was once again the daughter of an earl, with her head up and shoulders back. He offered her his arm, helped her into the hackney, and shut the door.
Together he and Gilley watched the hackney turn from the alley and disappear into the streets of Covent Garden. Neither moved for a moment.
“Did you really believe I was kissing a man?”
