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She wanted to argue again, but she nodded her thanks instead and headed for the doors, only greeting guests who stopped her to maintain her charade.

She breathed easily once she was out of the ballroom and wandered briefly through the hallway towards the other end of the ballroom. She had not discussed with William where they would reconvene, and now she regretted her decision.

A hand shot out of the darkness, pulling her into a hallway, and before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth.

“Do not fret, wife. It is I,” her husband said suddenly.

“You could have just whispered my name,” she scolded, once he had taken his hand off her mouth.

Her heart was still racing with fear, but it did not compare to the anxiety she felt now that she was alone with him. She did not even know where to begin or what she would do. Even if this was enjoyable for her, would it be the same for him, despite her lack of experience?

“There would have been no fun for me,” he retorted.

She felt more than saw his smile in the dark. She squirmed at the uncomfortable sensations the darkness sent across her skin.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I do not like this space,” she answered, wrinkling her nose.

“Why? I’m perfectly comfortable.”

She rolled her eyes even though he would not see it.

“Can we leave, please?" she begged. "We will likely be caught at any moment.”

Even though she whispered, her words echoed in the small space, cutting the eerie silence as sharp as a knife through butter.

“I thought it added to the charm of our seduction?” he mused.

“You are incorrigible,” she huffed.

He laughed deeply, which caused her frown to fade. She liked making him laugh and liked the way his face transformed. It pulled at his scar. Sometimes she feared it hurt, but when she asked, he said it did not.

“We have an appointment to keep,” he murmured. “Shall we?”

He took her hand and began to lead her through the halls with hurried steps, not even bothering to ask for directions.

“How do you know where you’re going?”

“I am familiar with the Rightons’ estate because I have attended their events since I was a lad,” he answered. “Although I haven’t visited since I joined the Army, I did not forget.”

She nodded.

When he opened the door to the library, her heart raced, knowing she was about to get what she had asked for. Anticipation and fear in equal measures coursed through her bloodstream, but when he turned to her, she felt her pulse quicken all the more.

“We’re here.”

“Indeed,” she breathed, looking around the room to avoid meeting his eyes.

He stepped closer to her, but she still couldn’t look at him, wringing her hands to hide the nervousness welling up inside her.

“You seem nervous,” he noted.

She stiffened, dropping her hands. She thought she had hidden it well.

“You have no need to be.”

“I have good reason to be,” she muttered. “I do not know what to do.”