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“I have to insert the plateholder,” Andrew said. “And then I’ll remove the lens cap.”

Edwin swallowed thickly. “Right.”

Both of them were quiet for a while. All Edwin could focus on was the thump-thump-thump of his fast-beating heart. He wondered whether Andrew could hear it. And whether Andrew’s was beating hard, too.

After a few more seconds, Andrew lifted the cloth. “Come on.”

Reluctantly, Edwin backed out of the enclosure. He squinted from the room’s brightness. Despite the cloud cover, the room still had so much light, and the snow was practically blinding to look at. He shut his eyes and listened to Andrew readying the camera.

Over the next minute or so, Andrew finished taking the photograph, and then he started setting up for the next one, moving the camera and tripod to the other side of the conservatory. Edwin was still feeling lost, his mind stuck in a stupor, when William stumbled into the conservatory looking worse for wear. He was still wearing his nightshirt and bathrobe, his curls a mess (or, well, more of a mess than usual), and his eyes blew wide the moment he spotted Edwin.

“Am I hallucinating?” he asked.

Edwin snorted. “No, I’m real. I walked over so that I could check on the coneflower seeds.”

“You walked in this?” William asked.

“It wasn’t as bad earlier. I think the storm is picking up.”

“You should probably head home. I mean, you’re welcome to stay. You know you’re welcome to stay, but I know you won’t so—”

“I know. But . . .” His eyes flitted over to Andrew. “I thought someone should be here with Andrew while he works. He’s taking some photographs of the conservatory, with the snow in the background.”

“Interesting,” William said, nodding approvingly. “I can stay here now, though, if you’d rather—”

“No, I can stay,” Edwin blurted. “I know it’s early for you.”

“It is, but I can’t seem to fall back asleep. I felt bad knowing that Andrew was probably wandering around the house by himself. And now I’m fully awake, so I can stay, no problem.”

Before Edwin could protest some more, Andrew cut in.

“Oh! William!” Andrew blurted out. “I hope you don’t mind me taking a couple of photographs. Truly only a couple. I’m setting up my last shot and then . . .” He looked outside. “Actually, I’m not sure what happens after that. I’m supposed to return the carriage. But I’d never make it to the livery stable and carriage rental in this weather. Not without injuring myself. Or the poor horse.”

Edwin fought back a light laugh. Oh, that was just too endearing.

“You’re free to leave them here,” William said with a shrug. “I’ll reimburse you for the cost. I was the one who asked you to come to the party. You can stay here for as long as you’d like.”

Andrew raked a hand through his hair and let it settle on the back of his neck.

“I’d really love to stay, but I need to check on my landlady. I keep the furnace clean for her. She might be worrying about me, too. I told her I’d be back last night.” He paused and frowned. “I have no idea how I’ll make it back in this weather, though. I can walk, maybe, but—”

“I’ll walk with you,” Edwin offered.

Something that looked like excitement flashed across Andrew’s face, and Edwin’s stomach fluttered.

“Oh, Edwin, that’s so kind of you. Are you sure?”

“I have to walk back home anyway,” Edwin said, faking a nonchalant shrug.

Andrew’s smile widened. “Let me just finish up here. I promise I won’t be long.”

Edwin bit the inside of his cheek to keep his own smile contained.

All of a sudden, the prospect of walking through a snowstorm didn’t seem so harrowing after all.

Chapter Eight

Andrew