Page 36 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

She couldn’t shake the trickle of unease just below her skin. “I don’t know.”

Lord Dominic’s windows were shuttered for the night. Her gaze paused on the double glass doors that led to her own assigned bedchamber before the compulsion to look over her shoulder grabbed her. The neighboring villa across the service alley stood in silence, its windows like gaping holes of blackness in the white stucco walls.

“Evangeline.” When Sir Jonathan touched her arm, she startled.

She blinked his face into focus. His brows dropped low on his forehead; a flicker of torchlight reflected in his eyes. Her mouth felt dry.

“D-do you ever have the feeling you’re being watched?”

Sir Jonathan frowned, rising from the bench to scan the area. “Do you feel it now?”

“Yes.” A shiver passed through her.

“Stay here while I check the street.” He stalked toward the weathered gate nestled into an arched opening in the wall.

“No, don’t.”

He vanished from sight. She held her breath, listening for signs of danger on the other side of the wall, uncertain what she would do if he needed help.

Where was Xavier? Her brother-in-law should have joined them by now.

“Sir Jonathan?"

The shush-shush song of cicadas filled the silence.

“Sir Jonathan, are you there?” She scooted to the edge of the bench.

“I don’t see anyone,” he said at last, “but I will keep searching.”

“That isn’t necessary. Please, come back.”

“I will only be a moment."

When only the sound of his footfalls could be heard from outside the wall, her rigid spine began to soften.

“There’s no one here,” he called.

She released a pent-up breath as he returned to the garden and closed the gate behind him.

“All is clear!” He sounded overly cheerful, as if he didn’t wish to make her feel foolish for sending him on a pointless search.

She bowed her head as fire swept into her cheeks. She wasn’t prone to fanciful thinking, but she had been certain someone was close by and watching them.

“My imagination seems to be running wild this evening,” she said. “Perhaps a distraction is in order. Should I retrieve your book and a lamp?”

Without waiting for a reply, Evangeline bounded from the bench and headed toward her bedchamber. A hand caught her arm above the elbow, bringing her up short before she reached the glass doors.

“Oh!”

Sir Jonathan loomed over her. He’d come upon her as quick and silent as an apparition. His hold was firm and unbreakable, yet tender. It elicited a shocking pulse between her thighs; she bit her lip as a whimper slipped from her.

“Stay with me.” His commanding tone reverberated in her chest.

A stronger throb deep in her core sharpened her focus. How handsome he was up close. A tremor raced through her.

He loosened his grip on her arm, his fingers creating a fragile circle, easily escaped if she wished it. A shallow furrow formed between his brows. “Do I frighten you?”

“No.” Her voice was thready. “You—you fluster me. Excite me.”