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“I concede. I agree to weekly meetings during the little Season. But in return, you must keep your promise to take part in the Season proper without further testing of the rules.”

“Of course.”

“And I have one other condition.”

“What condition?” she asked.

“From here on out, you must stop confiding in your sisters.”

She’d suggested that her sisters were already involved in this scheme, but he could not allow them to continue to plot together.

The odds were against him even one on one with Lenora. He’d never survive five on one.

Six, if he included Emily.

“You cannot,” he said firmly, “talk to them about what happens in these meetings. And you cannot, under any circumstances, tell them what happened tonight.”

A wary look crept into Lenora’s eyes. “But Nettie and Emily must know about the meetings. I’m depending on them to provide an alibi.”

“All they must know is that the meetings are taking place. They do not need to know any details. I will only agree if what happens in those meetings stays between us.”

Lenora exhaled, looking troubled. Again, she turned away. This time, she brought a knuckle to her lips.

For once, she was at a loss.

His trickster ward became a lonely castaway. Was it possible he was catching his first glimpse of the real Lenora?

If so, he was in more danger than he imagined, and not because of her changeling powers. Her lost, worried look made him want to slay dragons.

“I agree,” she said with a sigh. “You have my word what happens between us will stay between us.”

“Good,” he said.

He frowned.

How did one acknowledge a successful negotiation with a lady? Another kiss, this one voluntary on his part, was out of the question.

She acted first, of course.

She placed her hands on his shoulders, lifted herself to her toes, and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

His heart clenched like a fist.

“It’s time we go in, I suppose,” she said at a normal volume. “I plan to say I’ve been walking alone in the garden. After a short wait, I suggest you come in by way of the stables. You’re always checking on your horse this time of night.”

He cocked a brow. “You have thought this through.”

She backed away. “You’ve no idea.”

Then she disappeared around the bend. The surrounding air grew heavier. Or, at least, he was finding it even harder to breathe.

You’ve no idea. She was wrong.

He was fully aware.

Though he’d won a minor concession, she still had the advantage.