Author: Tammy Andresen
Category: Historical
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/32859_9
Unable to help himself, he glanced up to see Eliza again, as he remembered the perfect pale hue of her cheeks.
But as he looked toward the door, he didn’t see her.
He quickly scanned the room. She wasn’t with her family. Wasn’t crossing the ballroom. Where the bloody blue blazes had she gone?
“Anyway,” Carmella cut into his thoughts again. “Tulip is the most perfectly behaved cat. Anyone who meets her declares her so. You should visit tomorrow for calling hours and see her. She’s as beautiful as she is good.”
“I see,” he answered, barely listening. A jealous knot tied up his stomach. If that ass, whoever he was, touched Eliza the way Dylan had just touched her he’d...
Whispers: Interactive StoriesMake your own choices and decide what happens next!
“Will you?” Carmella leaned closer, her bosom brushing his arm. He resisted the urge to pull away. As if the difference in the two women needed such a definite comparison. And the truth was, Carmella didn’t compare.
The problem for poor Carmella was a woman had just scrambled his mind with the same trick. “I’d be delighted,” he answered, attempting to smile. “But if you’ll excuse me, Lady Carmella, I’ve spotted an old friend. Until tomorrow?”
She beamed with triumph as he slipped his arm from her hand. He tried not to run as he made his way to the door. What if they’d slipped off to a room? What if that man was touching Eliza?
Then another thought made him stop dead in his tracks. What if the other man was hurting her?
He started again, sliding through partygoers as he sprinted toward the door. If he’d had any doubts about chasing after her, that last worry banished them. She might need him.
And perhaps, if she did, she might value him a bit more.
Bloody hell, when had he decided he wanted her approval?
But when he reached the doorway, all his thoughts vanished.
Because in the open, in the hall as people milled about, Eliza stood next to the tall, dark, and annoying stranger. They whispered with their heads bent toward each other. Well, mostly the other man whispered while Eliza listened. Unlike his meeting with her out on the terrace, she looked…comfortable. Her gaze was intent but free of any agenda. In fact, she barely spoke, just nodded occasionally as she listened to whatever he was saying her lips pursed in thought.
For a split second he began to turn around. This man was getting the real Eliza—the one she’d never share with him.
Why did that hurt? His stomach tightened and he clenched his fists.
But then…her gaze met his and she did the last thing he’d expected.
She waved him forward to join the conversation.
Eliza’s thoughts hummed as her gaze met Menace’s.
“You’ll meet me tomorrow at dawn?” the other man whispered. John. That had been the only name he’d given her. “It’s important.”
She grimaced, her gaze drifting back to Menace again waving him over before she returned her attention back to John. He’d saved Emily’s life two weeks ago. Which meant she gave him some measure of trust. But an illicit meeting in a park in the dark? Not even she was brave enough for that. “I can’t.”
He grimaced. “I have information I need to give you, but I can’t risk being caught for both our sakes. I have to meet you away from prying eyes and ears in a place and time where we can be certain we’re not followed.”
“Caught by whom?” she asked, her voice dropping. “My uncle?”
He grimaced even as he tugged at his collar. “There are men far more dangerous than your uncle involved.”
“Like whom?” Menace asked from just next to her.
“I can’t explain here,” the man whispered, glancing about. “I’ve taken a great risk even talking to Eliza tonight, but you should all know what’s happening.”
“And how does he plan to share information with you safely?” Menace asked, his hand coming to her back.
She looked up at him, feeling safer already with him at her side.
Strange. Just a few minutes ago, she’d thought Menace the danger.
“I wish to meet in a private location…” The other man stopped, staring down the hall. “Eliza will explain. I have to go.”