Page 76 of My Fair Lord

“No, I don’t think so. I couldn’t upset my father that much by causing a scandal.”

And yet she was prepared to possibly humiliate him by deceiving him, Ned mused. She was such a contradiction.

They’d reached a wide turning circle at the far end of the long drive. Passengers in some other vehicles were alighting but Ned had paid the driver to take them on a circular route and return to Dottie. As the carriage circumnavigated the circle, Florence gestured to a wide three-storeyed limestone mansion, set back from the park in a raised garden.

“That’s the Faulkner mansion.”

Ned raised his brows, impressed. Even in Britain, the name Faulkner was well known. The couple travelled widely, collecting works of art and antiquities. The chance to glimpse some of them was irresistible. It was also rumoured that some of the dealings concerning antiquities from Greece and Rome had not been entirely above board.

“I have tickets for us to the ball Sapphire Faulkner is holding tonight,” Florence said. “We’ll carry out the wager then. I know I said we would have a small introduction over morning coffee or suchlike, but I don’t want to wait. I can’t wait.”

There was an intensity to her voice and Ned noticed she was clutching her parasol, tightly curling and uncurling her fingers around the handle.

“Are you sure?” Ned asked. “Just think of the embarrassment it could potentially cause your father when the truth is revealed.”

She didn’t answer immediately but her shoulders stiffened and her jaw tensed. She tapped her forefingers together.

“Completely. At the moment, I don’t care too much about his embarrassment. I need to show him he’s wrong about everything. My future freedom hangs on it, but more than anything, I want to be able to prove to my father that a man such as you is as worthy of affection as anyone with a title and fortune.”

“Affection?”

His skin felt electrified, nerves clanging like church bells pealing. His didn’t dare to look at her in case his face betrayed the strength of his feeling.

“Yes, affection.” She looked away, the brim of her hat tilted in such a way that it obscured the closest side of her face, giving Ned no opportunity to see her expression. Her gloved hand clenched and unclenched on the railing.

“I know I shouldn’t speak in such a frank manner, but I feel that you have become a dear friend to me.”

He was moved by her words more than he would have expected was possible. Such a simple declaration made his heart swell with love for her in that moment.

“I hope you will never stop speaking frankly, Florence,” he said. “It is one of your most admirable qualities.” Feeling he was coming perilously close to admitting his love, he added in a light tone, “As long as you don’t jump to conclusions too often.”

“I’ll try not.” Florence laughed. She twisted round on the seat, leaning closer to Ned. So close that he would need to move his head less than an inch to meet her lips with his. Their eyes met. Ned’s heart spilled open. Whatever she asked, he would do.

“Whatever happens tonight I want to thank you,” she said quietly. “The weeks I’ve spent with you have opened my eyes in ways I never imagined.”

To his astonishment, he saw that her lower lids were growing moist. He gave no reply, not knowing exactly how to articulate what the time had meant to him. He was still pondering it when she leaned forward and kissed him. Not on the lips, but on the cheek. Still close enough to ignite a furnace of longing inside him.

She pulled back. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Don’t be. I’m glad you did.”

He reached his hand out and cupped the back of her head.

“We shouldn’t,” she murmured, gazing up at him from beneath her pale lashes.

“We don’t have to.”

She ran a finger down his cheek. “I want to.”

He smiled, then kissed her softly on the lips.

The carriage continued on its way, jogging them gently as it travelled over uneven ground and, true to Florence’s prediction, the driver did not so much as turn his head.

By the time they arrived back at the fountain, they were sitting side by side with a fitting gap between them. Dottie was sitting on a bench along with another maid who was presumably waiting for her employers to return from their ride. Ned helped Florence down, smiling up at her. Whether or not Dottie suspected what they’d been doing, there was no proof and it was a memory he’d treasure long after all this was done with.

They began to make their way back towards Florence’s hotel. Dressing for a ball would presumably take the rest of the afternoon.

“I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities for finding a new commission tonight,” Florence remarked. “Keep your ears open and I’ll do the same. I don’t know if you are planning to stay in America once we’ve finished or if you want to return home straight away.”