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He ran his hands through his hair again, struggling to calm the thoughts whirling in his mind.

“I know,” he said more to himself than to her.

He let out a shaky sigh, his gaze drifting away from her for a moment as he battled the guilt that was gnawing at him. He wanted this—wanted her—but the weight of his responsibilities, and his unspoken fears for his sister’s future held him back.

He should’ve said that to her, but he didn’t.

He wanted to give in to more than the desire he felt for her, but there was more at stake here than what was between them.

“Since you have refused to explain in a way I can understand, why you were absent from dinner, I will take it that you did so to avoid me,” she said firmly, and he saw the raw hurt in her eyes. Raw hurt his actions had put there.

She stepped closer, her gaze fierce and determined.

“Nothing should make you undo the progress you’ve made with Maisie,” she said. “It broke my heart to watch her await you for close to an hour, yet you did not arrive.”

Killian nodded, but he didn’t like that she only spoke of Maisie, and not of herself. A small frown sat on his lips.

She turned to leave his room, but before she left, she paused and looked over her shoulders.

“Do not worry about me, and do not avoid me simply because you think it’s the proper thing to do.”

With that, she walked away.

Killian’s expression softened, but only for a moment before it hardened once again. There was so much he wanted to say—so much he wanted to tell her—but he couldn’t. Not yet.

CHAPTER 21

“Duchess! Duchess, are you awake?” The faint sound of a small voice stirred Yvette from her restless sleep.

The urgency in the tone was unmistakable, and Yvette rubbed her eyes groggily before registering the familiar voice.

Maisie.

She bolted upright, reaching for the robe draped over the chair beside her bed. Wrapping it tightly around her nightdress, she hurried to the door and swung it open.

Outside, Maisie stood, her tiny face lit with excitement, while Daisy crouched beside her, gently chiding, “Her Grace is still asleep, my lady. Perhaps we should let her rest a bit?—”

“Duchess!” Maisie exclaimed as she spotted Yvette, her face broke into a delighted grin.

She darted forward, her riding boots clattering against the wooden floor.

“Good morning, Duchess!” Maisie exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Yvette’s waist in a tight embrace.

“Good morning, darling.” Yvette chuckled softly, running her fingers through Maisie’s curls.

“Pardon me, Your Grace,” Daisy curtsied, “I thought you were still asleep.”

“That’s all right, Daisy. I am awake now,” Yvette told the maid as she took a step back.

She also noticed Maisie’s attire—complete riding gear, from her neatly buttoned jacket to her polished boots.

Yvette raised a brow, a question forming on her lips.

Yvette crouched to the child’s eye level, smiling despite the lingering exhaustion tugging at her.

“Maisie, you know your riding instructor isn’t due to arrive until the day after tomorrow. Why are you dressed for riding?”

Maisie pouted, clutching her little gloved hands together.