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My velvet skirts were a deep blue to match my plummeting mood. I wasn’t sure if Ileana would come for breakfast, and the idea of losing an acquaintance I’d only just made had me changing gloves a second time. I walked one way, then the next, my skirts rustling in their own annoyance. Last night I’d fallen asleep with a thousand ways to apologize for my intrusion when I saw them both again.
This morning none of them seemed right. I covered my face and made myself breathe. Liza would have known precisely what to do had she been in my place. She had a gift for social situations—and for being a good friend. I forced myself to sit, trying not to flick my attention to the clock with each passing second that ticked away. Dawn would break soon. And with it judgment on my curiosity would be delivered. Perhaps now I’d finally be broken of that wretched affliction.
A confident knock came a few moments later, my heart clamoring in response as I raced across the room and flung the door wide.
I slumped back, heaving a sigh. “Oh, hello.”
“Not necessarily the reaction I was hoping for, Wadsworth.” Thomas glanced down at his dark jacket and trousers, both fitted in all the right ways. His striped waistcoat was also quite fashionable. “Perhaps I should have gone with the gray suit instead. I do look rather scrumptious in that.”
I peered into the corridor, half hoping that Daciana would be lurking behind him, readying herself for a verbal attack regarding my curiosity. I sighed again. The hall was empty aside from Thomas. I finally dragged my attention back to him. “To what do I owe the honor of your presence this early in the morning?”
Without being invited, he swept into my chambers and nodded at the space. “Cozy. Much better than the image in my head of tower chambers and fair maidens in need of… well, you’re not one in need of rescuing, but I’d say you could do with some entertainment.”
He sat on the settee, crossing one long leg over the other.
“My sister informed me of the adventure you all had last night.” He grinned as the color rushed to my face. “Don’t worry. She’ll be up in a moment. I didn’t want to miss the fun this morning. I’m having Turkish coffee sent up.”
“I’ve never felt more wretched in all my life. Does she hate me?”
Thomas had the audacity to chuckle. “On the contrary. She adores you. Said you’d turned nearly each shade of crimson and adopted a wonderful stutter.” His light tone vanished, replaced by something fierce. Here was a role I’d not seen him in—protective brother. “Most would have looked at them as if they were wrong for acting on their love. False, naturally. Society at large is staggeringly obtuse. If one simply looks to others for their opinions, they lose the ability to think critically for themselves. Progress would never be made if everyone appeared and thought and loved in the same manner.”
“Who are you, and where is the socially awkward Mr. Cresswell?” I’d never been more proud of my friend for his determination to verbally admonish society’s faults.
“I do get rather passionate about such matters,” Thomas said, a bit of levity back in his voice. “I suppose I’ve grown weary of a select few governing all. Rules are restrictions given by other privileged men. I enjoy making up my own mind. Everyone ought to have the same human right. Plus”—he flashed a devilish grin at me—“it drives my father absolutely mad when I speak in that manner. Shakes up his rigid beliefs in a delightful way. He’s yet to accept that the future will be run by those who believe as we do.”
Another knock came at the door. Somehow I managed to open it without fainting from nerves. Daciana looked tentatively at me, then nodded to her brother. “Buna dimineata. How did everyone sleep? Anything exciting happen?”
She gave me a playful smile, and the tension knotted in my chest loosened.
“Truly, I cannot apologize enough,” I said in a rush. “I’d heard noises and thought… I don’t know, I worried someone was… under attack.”
Thomas barked out a laugh. I raised a brow as he nearly fell off his seat. I’d never witnessed such a bout of emotion from him before. Daciana simply rolled her eyes. He was nearly hoarse by the time he composed himself enough to speak.
If his sincere laughter hadn’t been so entrancing, I would have jabbed him with my finger. He was certainly lighter here, more relaxed with himself and less guarded, than he was in London. I couldn’t deny being intrigued by this side of him.
“I wish I could capture the look on your face, Wadsworth. It’s the most endearing shade of red I’ve ever seen.” When I thought he’d collected himself, he chuckled again. “Under attack indeed. Seems you have a bit of work to do on your wooing, Daci.”
“Oh, stuff it, Thomas.” Daciana turned to me. “Ileana and I have known each other for quite some time. When she learned of Thomas attending the academy, she applied for a position. It was a convenient way for us to see each other. I’m sorry for having scared you. It must have been awful, thinking something sinister was occurring in the morgue. Especially after the Ripper murders.”
A lovely expression lit her face, and I marveled at the pang of envy that it stirred within my cells. I wanted someone to have such a look of utter longing while thinking of me. I took a deep breath and composed myself. Not someone. Thomas. I wanted him. I dared not glance in his direction for fear of those wanton emotions showing.
“I suppose we got a bit carried away last night,” Daciana said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had an entire evening alone. It’s just… I adore her in every possible way. Have you ever looked upon someone and felt a spark within your core? She makes me want to accomplish grand things. That’s the beauty of love, though, isn’t it? It brings out the very best within yourself.”
I thought on that last part for a moment. While I fully agreed that she and Ileana were exquisite together, I also felt impressive feats could be accomplished if one chose to remain unattached. The proximity of a romantic partner should neither impede nor facilitate inn
er growth.
“I do agree that love is wonderful,” I began slowly, not wanting to offend, “but there’s also a certain magic in being perfectly content with one’s own company. I believe greatness lies within. And is ours to harness or unleash at will.”
Daciana’s eyes glinted with approval. “Indeed.”
“While we could chatter on endlessly about love,” Thomas said in a faux huff, “your midnight tryst is making me quite jealous.”
A third knock interrupted Thomas before he could say anything inappropriate. He stood, a serious countenance falling over him as if he’d flipped a cooling switch. Though his sister was here, it would still be frowned upon that we were without a chaperone.
I swallowed my fear down and called out, “Yes?”
“Buna dimineata, mis—Audrey,” Ileana said, cheeks flushing slightly. “I—”
