Page 45 of How to Wed a Courtesan

The motion gave her away regardless, and he raised his brow with suspicion. ‘There’s more.’

She shook her head and returned her gaze to outside the window, where couples strode by arm in arm, their unions seeming so simple, so natural. ‘I’m wondering if it’s even possible. If I can...’

There was so much between herself and Evander. So much pain. Such a breach of trust that had cost far too much.

His hands closed over hers. She startled from her thoughts.

‘I know,’ he said gently, and the hurt in his green eyes told her he truly did. ‘Will you try?’

Without realising what she was doing, she nodded.

His expression brightened. ‘You will?’

‘I’m here now, aren’t I?’ she asked, suddenly breathless with the boldness of her decision, the risk she was taking. She was balancing on the razor-sharp blade of a knife—one whose cut she could not withstand a second time.

‘Yes.’ He gave a relieved chuckle. ‘I will do everything I can to prove to you I am worthy of a second chance for us.’

‘Us.’ Warmth glowed inside her as she repeated the word. ‘I like the way that sounds.’

‘I do too.’

Somehow the space between them in the carriage seemed far more intimate. All at once she recalled how he’d kissed her the day before, his mouth so tender on hers, his affection so apparent.

‘I’ve been invited to a ball at Dalton Place in two days’ time,’ Evander said. ‘Will you be in attendance?’

Lottie considered her correspondence over the prior few weeks. Social events were not things she agreed to attend, but that didn’t mean she never received invitations. Generally they were from pupils who had found happiness and now considered her a friend. Violet, Countess of Dalton, was one such lady. It would not surprise Lottie if she did have an invitation to the Dalton ball and had either declined or not yet responded.

‘I may be,’ Lottie finally replied.

‘I should like to see you there.’ Evander glanced towards the townhouse on the other side of the narrow windowpane.

Her townhouse.

When had they wound their way back to her home?

How had their time together come to such a swift end?

Perhaps it was a whisper of happiness, a promise of better things to come.

Lottie nodded. ‘I too should like that very much. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.’

‘I assure you the pleasure was all mine.’ He gazed at her, besotted, as he exited the carriage, helped her down with tenderness, and walked her to her front door.

She wanted him to linger there for ever. Except they were in full view of everyone. With a bow, he left, taking her heart with him.

Once inside, she located Sarah and informed her she must find the invitation to Dalton Place, which was easily done, and reply saying she would be delighted to attend.

The ball would be filled with many friends, and there was no hiding from the ton now that Lottie and Evander had been seen in Hyde Park. Whether she was ready or not, Lottie had plunged herself into the opportunity of a second chance with Evander. A possibility that some day she might actually allow herself to be with him again, trust him again. In whatever form that might take.

And, while the idea of the ton’s reaction filled her with trepidation, there was also an unmistakable excitement for a future with Evander—an excitement that could only be rivalled by Sarah’s enthusiasm.

And so it was that Lottie found herself counting the hours until she next saw Evander, and wondering about the happiness they might once more find with one another.

Chapter Fourteen

Whatever nerves had plagued Lottie on her previous outings among the ton with Evander were non-existent the night of the ball at Dalton Place.

She wore a lavender gown with a layer of white tulle over it that glittered with brilliants as they caught the candlelight. Sarah had done a simple, elegant arrangement of Lottie’s hair, one not requiring the aid of curling tongs or ribbons or jewelled combs. The mirror reflected Lottie as a woman who knew the power of her own beauty, with a confidence unlike any she ever thought to possess when she’d been a naive vicar’s daughter.