Page 52 of The Masked Baron
The group started walking to the front of the home toward their carriages. She relished the comfort of Ellis’s touch. He helped her into a carriage, and then he stood outside, speaking with the others. Andalin pulled the lap blanket over her dress and felt the immediate warmth of a hot brick placed on the floor for their feet. There were definite advantages to being a member of the upper class. She rested her head against the seat and yawned. Her first ball, the pressure to be at her best, Mr. Crow’s sudden appearance, and then Ellis’s timely arrival had exhausted her. She couldn’t wait to be back at the Whites’ and in her bed.
She was surprised when Ellis climbed into the coach and shut the door behind him. He took the seat across from her.
“Don’t worry; I don’t think anyone saw me join you in here. I wouldn’t risk your reputation at all if I were not so concerned for your safety.”
“Are you replacing Lord Kerrigan as my escort home?” Andalin asked.
“I think under the circumstances it would be best,” Ellis answered.
Andalin was too tired to sort it out in her mind. “Why?”
“He can explain to the others how Mr. Crow was out of line and tell them you have been sent home with a headache. Everyone will understand you were upset, but they won’t think on your reputation a minute longer once Kerrigan vouches for you. He is a powerful man in reputation and position.”
“Oh,” Andalin said. She was relieved everything could be smoothed over. The carriage started rolling forward. There was one more thing she needed to know. “Ellis?”
“Hmm?”
“How is it you were here the moment we needed you?” She had dearly wanted Ellis to see her dressed up, and now, after the tumult of events, her wish was coming true.
“I have been in town all along. Lord Kerrigan and I thought it best I kept an eye out for you. As my ward, you will find my enemies could easily become yours.”
Andalin thought of Ellis’s threats toward Mr. Crow. It was no wonder people were afraid of him.
“Then, were you waiting outside when we came out?”
Ellis stared at her. She squirmed under his intense gaze. What was he thinking? It seemed like eons before he answered, and when he did, it was with a question of his own.
“How do you feel about Kerrigan?”
Andalin clenched her hands together in her lap. “I don’t know.” She wanted to be honest with him, to tell him she was confused with the way Lord Kerrigan acted. She wanted to assure Ellis she was devoted tohimand no one else. But she didn’t have the courage to be so forward without any hints of his regard for her.
“I want to tell you...” Ellis didn’t finish.
“What?” Andalin wanted to know. She needed to know.
“There is more to this than meets the eye. More to me. I just don’t know if this is the time to tell you.”
Andalin stared across the seat at Ellis—his calm demeanor, his ever-present mask separated him from her. What did he mean? “Why would nownotbe the time?”
Ellis shrugged. Then suddenly he said, “You look very beautiful tonight.”
She blushed and wondered if her cheeks now matched the rest of her. “You are avoiding my question.”
Ellis shook his head. “I might be the Dark Rider, but I am a man first.”
Andalin turned to look out of the window, frustrated. He was speaking in riddles, and she was too tired to make any sense of them.
Ellis reached over and took her hands in his. She turned back to face him, her mind full of questions.
“If Kerrigan offered for your hand, would you want me to give him permission?”
“He would never—”
Ellis stopped her. “This is what we have planned for.”
Andalin cast her gaze down to their hands. His large warm hands encircled her much smaller ones. She felt safe. She felt at home. She did not want Lord Kerrigan to offer for her.
“Mrs. Trenton and I have both seen signs he might be attached to you. That day in the library, she came to speak to me about it. I was hoping you would confide in me if there has been some sort of development between you. If you don’t care to break any confidences, I understand.”
