“Pray, tell me.”
“A secret lover?”
More or less. She was burning to see Christopher, although he hadn’t confirmed their deal.
Dorian smiled. “You don’t have to answer. Your flush replied for you.”
If anything, the heat increased in her cheeks.
“But it’s none of my business.” He bowed his head.
The door was a few feet from her, and the crowd blocked the view of Mrs Armstrong.
Dorian nodded towards the door. “Go. It’s your chance.” His warm brandy-coloured eyes softened, and a fresh pang of guilt stabbed her.
He wouldn’t be so kind if he knew she was going to spy on his friend.
“Thank you.” She slipped out of his arms and rushed through the door.
She thudded up the stairs. The music and the chatter would cover the noise of her footfalls, but she tiptoed once on the landing.
Yellow light spilled from underneath the shut door of Christopher’s office, and muffled voices sounded. Before going onwards, she paused and checked that Mrs Armstrong wasn’t following. The woman was as cunning as a fox when it came to stalking her charges.
Pearl crept along the corridor, trying to calm her quick breathing.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Christopher’s voice thundered.
“I thought you knew.” That was Cowasj. “You invited her here.”
Heavy footsteps echoed from the room. The uneven pair of footfalls had to belong to Christopher.
“What did Amelia say?” he asked, a harsh note ringing in his question.
“That she’s one of Pearl’s best friends,” Cowasj replied.
Pearl bit her bottom lip to stifle a gasp. Tarnation. Cowasj had told Christopher her lie.
“We need to find Miss Blackmoore-Smith. She’s our only chance.” Christopher’s voice sounded closer, as if he were heading for the door.
Dash it. Pearl sprinted away along the corridor on her tiptoes when the office’s door cracked open. She unlocked the first door she found and sneaked inside a dark room. Panting, she shut the door and pressed her back against it. The room was dark, but a familiar scent lingered. Something musky and wild.
That had been close. Most likely, Christopher was now searching for her to question her about Pearl, and she had no idea what she should say. It could be a chance to learn more about her father and—
The door budged, and she jolted away from it.
“What in the hell—” Christopher strode inside, his cravat hanging loosely from his neck. He came to an abrupt stop upon seeing her. “Amelia?”
She swallowed past the knot of dread in her throat. She was in Christopher’s room. The scent should’ve rung a bell.
“Christopher.” Her voice shook. How could she explain her presence here?
“What are you doing here?” A hint of suspicion crept in his voice. He lit a couple of gas lamps, and a warm, yellow glow suffused his hard features. In the dim light, his eyes seemed even darker than usual. “Why aren’t you in the ballroom?”
Pearl stepped back until her legs touched the bed, and a hot flush spread inside her. “You left so quickly. I didn’t have the time to tell you I wanted to see you.”
It was a lie, but it was also true. Still guilt soured her mouth. She was using her attraction for him as an excuse to spy on him, and the fact that she genuinely liked him made things more complicated.
His shoulders stooped a fraction. He ran a hand over his face. “I’m glad you’re here. It’s a surprise.”
