"Thank you for your note," she said at last.
He glanced at her."Which one?"
She laughed."Do you make a habit of sending unsigned invitations to breathe?"
"Only to members of my more exclusive societies.I merely find that mischief grows listless when left unattended."
"Mischief.That is what you call it."
"What would you call it?"he asked.
She considered the previous night.
"Breathing room," she said.
He was quiet for a beat."Then we shall aim to provide it."
She tilted her head."We?"
"I am not so arrogant as to claim credit for Miss Moreland Moreland's efforts.Besides, you are the one with standards.No ruined reputations, no broken hearts, only small corrections."
"I do not recall adding broken hearts to my list."
"You didn't.I did."
Her steps faltered.
"Why?"she asked lightly."Do you fear for your own?"
He smiled without looking at her."My dear Lady Esme, my heart is quite safe.The ton has been stepping on it for years.It has grown calluses."
"Charming.I feel so reassured."
"There is one heart I am concerned about," he added.
"Watford's?"she suggested.
"Watford's ego will recover.No.I am more interested in whether your brother manages not to give himself an apoplexy watching you walk two yards from his sight-line with a notorious rake."
Esme risked a glance back.Harrison watched them, looking as though he was trying very hard to remember that murder was frowned upon in public.
"He will get used to it," she said."Eventually."
"Or you will to ignoring him," Redford said.
She swallowed."We shall see."
A gaggle of children raced past, one nearly colliding with Esme.She stepped aside quickly, her foot slipping on a patch of damp gravel.For one brief instant, she felt her balance go.
A hand closed around her elbow—firm, warm, steady.
"I did not realize that you intended to begin our aquatic mischief so early in the Season," Redford said calmly.
She found herself closer to him than was proper.His grip, though, was steady, as if he had caught a falling vase, not a woman.
"If I wished to throw myself into the Serpentine, I assure you I would choose a more dramatic audience."
"I live in hope of it.But until then, perhaps allow me to keep you out of the water."
