His heart twisted. The brittle organ had already chosen her, but how could he prove it,fightfor her like she wanted, when she would be gone before he had the chance?
“So Ruffgate was a gentleman?”
She shrugged, shifting so her back was to his front, and he slung an arm around her chest, keeping her close as he settled against the headboard. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect otherwise. Being a gentleman didn’t save him from being an absolute bore.”
His lips curved into a smug smile. “You had nothing to talk about?”
“Ihad plenty to talk about, as did Stewart, mostly about mollusks. Unfortunately, he never gave me the chance.”
“Mollusks?”
“Don’t ask. They’re disgusting. Clearly, he’s unaccustomed to hearing a woman’s point of view. I started a mental inventory of my hats to fill the time, and I have alotof hats.”
“I’m sorry it was a waste of your time.”
She sat up and turned, bracing her arms on either side of his head as her hair fell in a chestnut curtain around their faces. “I can’t believe I almost forgot! Stewart said Linden is meeting with several powerful members of the assembly who are undecided in their votes. It’s a secret for now, but obviously Stewart didn’t think sharing the knowledge with me counted.”
I would share everything with you. “When is the meeting?”
“Thursday of next week, at the Metropolitan Club.”
He reached up and kissed her as pride swelled in his chest. “What do you think we should do?”
Rose sat back on her haunches. “What doIthink?”
“Yes.” Ben sat up and pushed her hair behind her ears. “What do you think we should do?”
Her lips spread in a slow smile as she blushed. “I think we should gather supporters, hold another rally just before the meeting. If the men want to keep it a secret, the women will make sure everyone knows what they’re up to.”
“It’s perfect.”You’re perfect.
“And you should speak,” she said. “No matter how many of us are there, one man’s voice is valued more than a hundred women’s cries for justice. Perhaps we can even get you an audience with the assemblymen.”
He shook his head. “They won’t listen to me.”
“Why not?”
Unease prickled. “Because I’m not like them. They’ll dismiss me the moment they see me.”
“That’s not true. You were educated alongside them, dress like them, sound like them—”
“Those are just costumes, Rose, a disguise.” An ache settled in the center of his chest as he pushed out of bed and pulled on his trousers. He couldn’t shake the sudden image of Rose with Ruffgate, surrounded by luxury,belongingin that world in the way he never would.
“I fooled them.” He heard the rustle of fabric behind him as he tugged his shirt over his head.
“Because you’re one of them, Rose.” He looked at the mirror over his dresser and saw her face fall. “You’llalwaysbe one of them. You can choose to put on the costume of the Heights, then take it off and ease seamlessly into your old life. That’s a luxury I’ll never have.”
“But you don’t want any part of their world—”
“Of course I want it!” He spun to face her, the ache in his chest pressing on his lungs, making his breath come hot and fast. “Rose, I haveneverbelonged anywhere, and people have tried their damndest to remind me of it.”
Rose’s lips parted. “Have I made you feel that way?” He pinched the bridge of his nose, averting his eyes. “Oh god, I have, haven’t I? Ben—” She grabbed his hand, dropping the sheet she had wrapped around herself in a pile on the floor. “If I went with you, I could—”
“I’m not Cinderella, Rose.” He had learned years ago how to keep his voice calm and expression blank while his insides roiled. “You can’t put me in pretty clothing and pretend I’m a prince. The real world isn’t so easily fooled.”
Her perfect features twisted into a grimace. “That’s so unfair, it’s—”
“Life is unfair, Princess.”
