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“Let Millie know I don’t trust Willard. But be subtle. I don’t want her to take my dislike as a challenge.”

“You don’t trust Willard?” she asked defiantly. “I’ve seen you nod to him.”

“He’s Eltenham’s son.”

“And?”

He blinked. “Eltenham controls an entire faction in Lords.”

Men. “That means nothing to me. What is your real reason for holding Willard in dislike, while treating him politely?”

“I can’t tell you that right now.” He closed his eyes and inhaled. “I know you don’t trust me at the moment, but accept, at least, that I am genuinely concerned. I swear I will ensure you’re all protected. But warn Millie. Neville will be looking out for her too, although she’s not to know.”

Neville? Temporarily, she forgot her own concerns. “She had better not know! She hates him.”

He shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”

Lenora considered. Millie, like Asquith, always held herself in check. If she did “like” Neville but saw him as a threat, she would keep her feelings quiet.

“Can you just accept that I have reason to believe Willard is dangerous?” Asquith asked. “For Millie’s sake, if not mine?”

“I will do what I can without being overt,” she finally agreed. For Millie’s sake. “But I trust Millie to know what is right for her, just as I know what is right for myself.”

He dropped his hand and stepped back.

They stared at each other until the rattle of approaching horses disturbed the fraught silence. Harbury’s coach halted upon the road’s far side. Cassie descended and then crossed the street.

“Harbury sends his thanks,” Cassie said to Asquith.

“He needn’t have asked me to see to your sister,” Asquith answered. “No matter what Lenora believes, I will always do my utmost to keep her safe.” He nodded to Cassie. “Goodnight, Duchess.” His gaze moved to Lenora and lingered. “Fortitude.” He placed his hand over his heart. “In all things. Soon, I hope you will understand.”

He turned around and joined the group around the Asquith carriage—a group that now included Neville, Blackwell, and Daughtry. The carriage pulled away, and the four of them headed off into the night.

Lenora’s heart leapt into her throat. His last words hadn’t made any sense.

Were things between them at an end, or were they not? She wanted to go after him. She also wanted to stay.

“Take a moment to collect yourself,” Cassie advised. “That’s why I came myself instead of sending the footman.”

Collect herself. The acidic, burning taste grew stronger in her mouth.

Where was her righteous certainty now? Gone.

She’d only had hubris all along. That’s what pushed her to mistake her love as the only proof she needed.

He’d never trusted her, had he? Just now, he hadn’t explained why he distrusted Willard. She’d given him ample opportunities to tell her his secrets, but he never had.

Now, he’d left her.

She bent over. The refreshment she’d been able to force down reappeared.

“Good heavens!” Cassie exclaimed. She put her arm around Lenora’s waist.

“I’m alright,” she said, even as she grabbed for Cassie’s skirts. In fact—she spat—she’d never been so confused, or so sick, in her life. “I’ve...I’ve been queasy for some time. Usually in the morning, but—”

“In the morning?” Cassie asked, alarmed. “Are you tired, too? Are your breasts tender?”

Lenora frowned. “How did you know?”