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Endless yearning. A constant, gnawing frustration. Was this how she’d felt when she accosted him in the maze?

He brought the paper to his lips. He inhaled. She’d scented the paper, at least. A gesture to stir his affection? Or had the stationery simply been stored beside her perfume?

He refolded the missive and tucked it into his bedside table drawer.

She’d armed herself with impersonal pleasantries, created distance by being careful, practical. From whom had she borrowed such a trick?

Damnation! She’d picked it up from him, hadn’t she?

The defensive weapon was his entire arsenal. He leaned back against his pillows with a sense of quiet resignation. Skewered with his own spear.

Sleep would not come easily.

She was young, the Lord Chancellor had warned. She deserved her first Season. What if, in the time the Chancellor had demanded Asquith give Lenora, she changed her mind about marrying him?

Could she, after what they’d done?

Under normal circumstances he would have said no, but a lady who had blackmailed him into defying societal expectation could defy other expectations as well.

And if her feelings and expectations had changed, could he force her to accept him? Knowing he truly cared for her, how could he bind her to him against her will?

The Lenora he’d come to know would disappear forever.

He sighed deeply.

Once they were back in London, he would do as the Chancellor asked. He’d make sure she started her Season without interference.

But he’d be closely observing her behavior. To address her concerns, he had to understand them. He’d convinced her once. He could do so again.

For now, he’d keep his own letters equally guarded. Horses, perhaps. He’d write about horses.

His stable project.

***

London

Almack’s Early Winter 1819

Lenora’s first week back in London was a flurry of shopping and morning calls carefully planned and executed by her eldest sisters, Lady Asquith, and Lady Sarah, Cassie’s sister-in-law. She’d joyfully reunited with Amelia and Preston, too.

But Simon had not paid a call. And, tonight, she and Millie were to make their Almack’s debut.

Lady Asquith had come to D’Acre House to wish Lenora and Millie well before accompanying the family party in her own barouche. Lenora had expected her son to appear as well, but Lady Asquith had “sent Asquith’s greetings.” According to Godmama, Asquith did not desire to “dim the girls’ sparkle” or “add to their nerves” by “getting in the way.”

Getting. In. The. Way. As if they were two unconnected people.

She could hardly breathe.

Moreover, Godmama’s explanation lacked logic. After all, he’d accompanied Eliza and Cassie on their disastrous debut last year.

Perhaps that was the real reason?

Perhaps, since last year was so awful, he thought his presence might curse the night tonight?

In her heart she knew Simon would never act out of superstition, but she clung to that belief, resisting the more obvious explanation—separation had cooled his ardor.

If his feelings for her had changed, he wouldn’t want her to suspect. At least not until after this crucial night.