Page 111 of A Murder in Trinity Lane
Steele’s hand came up, warm against my cheek. “I know.”
For a long moment, we stood in silence, breathing the same air. Close. Quiet. Changed.
Then softly—carefully—he said, “So what happens now?”
Still lost in thought, I answered, “Hopefully the Crown will charge Vale and?—”
“I meant us.”
I looked at him. “Oh.”
“I’m not giving you up.”
“Steele—”
“Don’t tell me,” he said, dryly. “They’re talking about us.”
“Well . . . they are. I was seen leaving Steele House last night. More than likely, it’s already made the rounds in the ballroom.”
“Do you care?”
“Not for myself.” I hesitated. “But I do have Chrissie to consider.”
He didn’t flinch. “Your sister is the belle of the ball. Surrounded by suitors. She won’t suffer—not while I have breath in my body.”
“So speaks the mighty Duke of Steele,” I said with a wry smile. “But even with all your power, you can’t silence society’s tongues.” I paused. “But?—”
“But?” he prompted.
“I hate giving them all that power. Letting their strictures rule over me. When all we’ve done is share a kiss?—”
Grinning, he held up two fingers.
“One—” I insisted “—in a dark stairwell.”
“And another in a stinking alley,” he reminded me.
I laughed. As if I could ever forget. “Very well. Two, then.”
“Would you like to go for three?”
“In Lady Findley’s library? I’m shocked!” I somehow managed to sound outraged.
“We could always adjourn to mine.”
My gaze warmed as I looked at him. “I love this side of you.”
“What side is that? The proud, arrogant Duke of Steele?”
I shook my head. “The man.”
His expression softened. “Thenbewith me.”
“How? Neither of us wishes to marry.”
“There’s an entire world between this—” he gestured between us “—and marriage.”
“We can’t crossthatline, Steele.”
