Page 40 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

“Erm…” He glanced around the corridor. They were very alone. “Sh-should we postpone until we secure a chaperone?”

“Why would two colleagues require a chaperone? Besides, we are far from prying eyes.”

“I, eh…”

She had a valid point. If no one of consequence was there to bear witness, was it truly scandalous?

“Come, Hackberry. We will lose good light if we dally.”

She jostled past him, briskly walking along the corridor with her bag swinging.

“Wouldn’t you like refreshments before we go?” he asked.

“Not hungry.”

“We should at least fill our water skins first. Let me retrieve them. I will meet you at the cistern.”

When he made his way to the courtyard, she was shading her eyes and gazing toward an upper window of the villa across the service lane. A woman with jet black hair and a soft round face stood at an open window.

“We have another warm day ahead, haven’t we, Mrs. Li?” Jonathan called.

The neighbor woman’s mouth thinned. She turned away and closed the shutters.

“Friendly neighbors?” Evangeline asked tongue-in-cheek.

“I thought so, but it appears I was mistaken. Perhaps Dr. Li is away and doesn’t appreciate her speaking with strange gentlemen.”

She grinned. “Or the doctor’s wife doesn’t know what to make of me traipsing about with no regard for the heat. And you are not all that strange.”

“No?” He chuckled. “Perhaps we are too alike to notice our peculiarities.”

“That is a hypothesis,” she shot back, clearly not believing it.

His fondness for her bloomed in his chest, expansive and tingling. She always left him with a sense that she understood him.

He held out his hand to her. “Will you allow me to lighten your burden?”

“Normally, I would insist on carrying my own supplies,” she said, passing him the bag and lifting her parasol higher to share the shade, “but you’re empty-handed, and I assume you meant what you said about forming an equal partnership.” She raised her eyebrows for emphasis.

“I would never claim credit for your work, Miss Darlington. Would you like our agreement in writing?”

“A handshake will suffice.” She thrust out her gloved hand. The unexpectedness of her unladylike gesture caught him off guard. He hesitated before clasping hands and giving hers a definitive downward pump.

A lump formed in his throat. Somehow, the physical contact felt binding, as if he had spoken a vow before God. The warmth of her touch lingered on his palm after he withdrew his hand.

“Are you certain your uncle won't mind you lending your expertise to another antiquarian?” he asked, hoping she might allow him a reprieve. He would find another way to fulfill his duty to his King.

She waved off his concern. “My uncle only cares if my sisters and I are happy, and I’m pleased with our arrangement, at least until he and I are reunited.”

He touched her back to guide her out of the path of a serious-looking Turk stalking their way. His large white headdress designated him as a man of high rank. He swept by without affording them a glance.

“Thank you,” Evangeline said in clipped tones, her spine stiffening.

Jonathan dropped his hand. “Sorry,” he muttered.

At her suggestion, they were headed for the Ancient Agora first so she could sketch the Acropolis in the distance.

“I thought I would have you do several sketches from different angles throughout the day,” he said. “Later, we will compile them into a single drawing, unless you have a better suggestion.”