Page 34 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
“You’re dancing with me,” he pointed out. “A stranger who could very well mean you harm.”
What are you doing, you fool? Are you trying to scare her off?
But she just blinked in surprise. “Do you mean me harm?”
“No,” he said, all honesty. “I want to help you.”
Her lips quivered with the start of another smile. “Help me...to be brave?”
He nodded with a chuckle. “Yes. That’s exactly it.”
And itwouldtake bravery to walk away from whatever life it was she was leading. For he knew from experience that good people in the worst circumstances often chose to stay where they were, because even unfortunate circumstances could be comfortable if it was all one was used to.
“And are you so brave then?” she asked.
“I...” He hesitated. Months ago he would have saidyeswith a certitude that embarrassed him now. But that was before he’d experienced the true grief of losing a brother and before he’d taken on responsibilities that weren’t meant to be his. “I like to think so,” he said. “I try to be.”
Even with her mask, he knew her brows furrowed just as he saw the questions in her eyes. “And do you think...”
He leaned forward when she hesitated. He was desperate to hear whatever this woman had to say.
Lud, what had become of him?
He’d been an egit to mock Richard so when he was acting the far worse fool.
“Do you think wanting to be brave is enough?” she finished.
He considered this. “No,” he said simply. “I think that it is a fine start, but true bravery rests in acting even when one is afraid. It’s the actions that count, not the intentions.”
The waltz was coming to an end and he could delay it no longer. He held her hand harder and longer than appropriate when he walked her to the edge of the dance floor. “I think you know what you need to do to be brave.”
“I do?” Her eyes were wide.
“I told you I work with the Home Office, and I know that might frighten you considering who I know and what I do...”
Her nose crinkled slightly. “Should it?”
“But I need you to trust me.”
A gentleman brushed against his shoulder just as her head swiveled to the left as if she’d heard her name.
“I must go,” she said on a rush of air. She was already backing up.
“Will you trust me?” he asked, feeling rather desperate now. He’d wasted so much time just because he’d liked being near her. He should have asked for specifics. He should have pushed and prodded and threatened, if need be.
For her own good.
“I...” She stopped backpedaling, and her shoulders went back as she smiled. “Yes, I think I do trust you.”
A rush of relief filled him, as well as a swell of confidence. He could do just about anything so long as this lady had faith in him. He was sure of it.
That feeling of confidence stayed with him as he greeted people he knew and accepted their condolences and their congratulations with the same polite smile.
Marriage-minded mamas approached with their daughters, and all throughout he bided his time. He’d catch Sir Cedric alone eventually. He’d tell him what he knew and then he’d—
His thoughts were cut short when the crowd to the left parted and he saw something that made his blood go cold.
It washer.But she was standing withhim. Wendell.
