Page 70 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

A hush fell, one that would have broken his heart if it had gone on a moment longer. Without warning, an affectionate smile bloomed on Kalila’s angular face. “I think I liked you the moment I saw you.”

“Oh?”

“All of us did,” she said. “Amelia and Caroline thought you were terribly attractive. So did I. That’s why I didn’t speak when I opened the door to the townhouse that first day. I was—” She cut herself off. “I really ought to stop talking, or you’ll think yourself unparalleled among your sex.”

“By all means, continue,” he said, even while hoping she thought more of him than that.

“I was very much prepared to dislike you. I had, after all, spent years in Painswick thinking you my worst enemy.”

“Your enemy!” Oliver laughed. “And all thoughts of rivalry went up in smoke when you saw how charming I was?”

Kalila giggled, an unexpected sound that Oliver delighted in. “The day the mouse got loose, I saw you stand up for Talbot. After that, I began to notice it.”

“Notice what?”

“You’re kind, Oliver,” she said. “You may have a mischievous streak, but you—you’re a good person.”

“A good person,” he echoed. How long had it been since someone had called him kind? He was Oliver Booth, cheeky, fun loving, handsome, occasionally foolish, but kind? He was more likely to be called idiotic or a failure than kind. The word was so simple, so direct and clear, that it pierced him right between the ribs. “Kalila, I—”

“You said I was the most interesting person at Willow House,” she said, large, hazel eyes meeting his. “It meant a lot to me.”

“It’s true. Not just at the ball—you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met, full stop.” Then, because he couldn’t resist, he said, “Now’s your chance to tell me that I’m the most interesting person you’ve ever met.”

“You’re the most arrogant person I’ve ever met, more like,” she retorted. Still, it was impossible to miss the smile playing about her mouth. “Well—how shall we proceed?”

“I’ll follow your lead,” he assured her, bending over the bench. “What do you want?”

She thought about it, leaning across from him, hands clasped before her. “I want us to be truthful with one another. We shall enter into this agreement with no expectations, but if anything changes, then we must tell each other at once.”

Things will change.

He wondered if she could sense that he was half in love with her already. That she’d changed everything he’d ever thought about love.

Forcing nonchalance into his voice, he asked, “And what do we do then?”

“End it.”

And what if we both want the same thing from each other?

Oliver nodded, choosing not to vocalize the thought. He was willing to have his heart broken if he could be with Kalila while she remained in London. He knew her, knew that she likely doubted that they would ever want the same thing. And perhaps she was right. Perhaps he would be the only one left wanting. Whatever happened, he wouldn’t stifle her with expectations and antiquated traditions, no matter how appealing they seemed to him now.

“Another thing,” she said.

“By all means.”

“We are scientists first, which means I would see this project through. And attempt to have my paper published. Scientists first, lo—” Her mouth snapped close. “Scientists first. Are we in agreement?”

Oliver grinned. “Were you going to say lovers?”

“No,” she said, cheeks flashing crimson. “Are we in agreement?”

“We can think of a better word, if you’d like.”

“Oliver,” she said in sharp warning.

“Oh, all right. You have yourself a deal, Miss Darwish.”

And you, he thought to himself, will have a broken heart to tend to quite soon.