Gerard’s brows furrowed to show his confusion. “Why does that fascinate you?”
“It is quite uncivil. You would never find a lady laugh with such reckless abandon.”
Gerard chuckled. “Maybe you should try it,” he urged.
Ellen’s head whipped back to face him. “Try what?”
“Laughing like that,” Gerard smiled.
When Ellen replied, her voice was a mere whisper. “I do not know how.”
Gerard burst into laughter. His laughter echoed, setting Ellen almost on her heels, thinking that perhaps he had been turned into a wild animal. But he caught her before she was able to move and wrapped his arms around her waist. Ellen struggled to get out of his grasp, but the man proved too strong.
“Laugh,” he commanded, tickling her sides.
“Laughing does not come at will, My Lord,” Ellen replied, squirming.
“People who walk the streets of London at night come to taste freedom. I dare say no one here gives a care about the way your laughter sounds. I thought you desired freedom?”
His last sentence struck a nerve within her.This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? This was the whole purpose! To finally be able to live free.
So, Ellen found herself taking a deep breath and releasing a cackle which she quickly silenced with her hands in mortification. But Gerard, bless his soul, took her hands and peeled it off her mouth.
“Laugh,” he repeated, staring her in the eyes and nodding encouragingly.
Buoyed by his support, Ellen let loose. The sound of her laughter must have tickled Gerard as well because laughter spilled out of his lips as well. They both stood under the moon’s gaze with hands on their stomachs, laughing without a care in the world.
When the laughter eventually died down, Gerard asked, “Which of the wonders of the night tempts you, My Lady?”
“Wine,” Ellen said quickly with a wild smile playing on her lips.
“Defiant. This pleases me greatly,” Gerard replied, returning the smile.
Hand in hand, they walked toward one of the pubs on Faulkner Street where many lords and ladies came to spend their nights away from the prying gazes of theton. Ellen wondered if Marjorie had ever visited there. Knowing her, there was a good chance that she had.
Ellen’s eyes caught a few lords as they walked in. It was a loud and noisy place, and she almost gasped when she also saw Lady Eleanor. The lady was pledged to Sir Charles Mornington, but here she was, in the arms of another. Ellen averted her gaze quickly. After all, she should not be caught in a place like this so unbefitting of her standing. More so at such an unfashionable hour with a man who had not proposed to her yet.
Ellen hesitated. The familiar faces gathered made her heart race. Outside, the night concealed her identity, but inside the lights unveiled her. She turned to her side to ask Gerard for leave to return back, but he had disappeared. She saw him talking with a few unfamiliar lords with a carefree grin that did not match the panic she felt within her.
Ellen hurried outside. She was determined to make her way back to Connolly House with or without Gerard by her side. She pulled her coat tightly around her. The air had gotten chillier since Gerard had swooped in to take her away that evening. Gerard rushed outside a few moments later. “You know, if you had wanted to escape my terrible company, you need only have asked me, My Lady,” he said with a grin.
“I apologize, My Lord.”
“Has the defiance eluded you?” he asked, his face taking on a more serious expression.
“I could be seen,” Ellen replied, letting out an exasperated breath she did not realize she was holding.
“Surely, you could be seen. You are quite visible My Lady.”
“Pray, must you make light of everything I tell you?” Ellen huffed.
“Only because I find it deeply amusing,” replied Gerard.
“I cannot send my Mama to an early grave by bringing shame upon my house,” Ellen said, hugging herself tighter.
“All right then. If visibility is your only distress, I can bring you comfort.”
“How?” Ellen asked.
