Page 38 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“Forgot?”

He tipped his hat at her, and her lips twitched in an almost-smile. “A tip of the hat in exchange for a kiss. Fair?”

“Yes,” she said, wrapping her arms protectively around her middle. “If you’d demanded any more, I would call you a cheat.”

“A cheat!” he exclaimed, turning to trot down the steps. Once he reached the bottom, he said, “Do you mean to flatter me, Miss Darwish?”

As he expected, she scoffed, turned on her heel, and shut the door behind her. A gleeful energy humming in his veins, Oliver made his way to Rosewood. For the first time in a long time, he was eager to end the day in his bed, if only because it would shorten the time between now and the next time he would see Rafiq.

Not Rafiq. His Lady Impostor.

Well, not his Lady Impostor, either.

Kalila Darwish.

Chapter Ten

“Gather ’round, lads,” Oliver said, tone both smug and gleeful. “I’ve something to share with you.”

Kalila twisted in her stool as the other men crowded around Oliver’s bench in eager anticipation. Comerford had just brought the day’s lesson to a close, and Kalila was expected back at the townhouse to ready herself for Aunt Dalia’s impromptu ball. She’d let herself hear whatever it was Oliver had to share before heading out, but only because she was curious.

Keep telling yourself that.

She knew she was wading through murky waters with him. Pity had won over logic yesterday when she’d invited him in for tea, and Caroline had given her a much-deserved lecture after Oliver had left and Kalila had returned to the parlor. But she’d only half listened, too distracted by the kiss he’d given her.

Well, not her. Her hand. Still.

The patch of skin in question began to tingle in remembrance, making her rub it against her waistcoat. She was a sensible, rational woman who didn’t have time for any of this. She wouldn’t have minded being friendly with Oliver, but she was smart enough to recognize what it meant when one’s heart jumped in their throat at the mere sight of a person. And her heart had jumped in her throat this morning, just as it had when she’d seen the amused expression on his face as he’d watched Caroline and Amelia bicker. It was an expression that had soon morphed into something odd and unknown to her—joy mixed with curiosity and melancholy, maybe. The sight of it had been enough to distract her from the urgent necessity of keeping her guard up.

She was still supposed to keep her guard up.

“I’ve managed to get us—yes, all of us—invitations to a ball tonight,” Oliver announced. At the subsequent silence, he added, “It’s guaranteed to be a good one.”

His premature assessment of the event seemed to jolt the group back to life as the men began to murmur to one another. Kalila gathered her things as Dunn began to make plans with Talbot and Young, their conversation brought to a halt when Jennings informed the group that they would finally be graced with his future wife’s presence.

“I can bring the carriage around,” a soft voice said. Kalila saw that Oliver had wiggled away from the other men. “If you’d like.”

“Oh.” Guilt rose in her chest. “I-I’ve a previous engagement.”

The corners of his lovely mouth tilted downward. “Right. Of course.”

“I’m sure you’ll let me know if anything of note happens,” she offered.

He grinned, his gloom disappearing in an instant. “Naturally.”

Kalila slid off her stool and picked up her coat. “Then I shall see you tomorrow morning.”

“You’d best keep your distance if you find me face down on the bench complaining about the sun being too bright,” he called after her.

Kalila left the room, biting back a smile. How ridiculous it was that Oliver Booth had been, in her mind, her greatest enemy at the Society. Even when she’d been out of her disguise, something about interacting with him had felt so organic.

And right.

Also, he’d kissed her. What was she to make of that?

Kalila mulled on the fleeting, soft press of his mouth to the back of her hand as she made her way to the townhouse. Amelia greeted her at the door, hair half done and dressed in nothing but a chemise and stays.

“There you are!” she chirped. “Caroline has offered to do our hair.”