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Eleanor let out a long breath, like she was processing what Danni had said. She nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Danni pushed back her chair.

“Good. Now, there is one decision you need to make, I’m afraid.”

Eleanor arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Putting her hands on her hips, Danni smirked. “Are you coming back to the farm, or are you planning to die by inhaling construction fumes?”

Eleanor rolled her eyes. “I’m perfectly fine here.”

With a groan, Danni gestured at the exposed wiring, the open walls, the crumbling plaster. “Sure, totally safe.”

“It’s my home.”

“A home that I literally just walked into,” Danni pointed out. “You can’t keep an open house secure. Not to mention the risk of a brick falling on your head as you sleep.”

“Not going to happen.”

“Or the risk of Samson finding you here in your nightie when he arrives early in the morning,” Danni added.

Eleanor hesitated a little at this.

“Come home,” said Danni, more gently. “I’m not going to push matters, if that’s what you’re afraid of. I’ll be the perfectgentlewoman.”

“I wasn’t thinking that.”

“Then stop sulking here and be sensible. All your things are at the farm.”

Eleanor sighed, and finally begrudgingly agreed to come back. She blew out the candles, flicked on her torch, and stood up. “Come on, then.”

They picked their way through the hallway and out into the entrance, until there was a gasp and a short curse as Eleanor stepped on an uneven tile, and before she even realized what was happening, she stumbled.

Danni was there in an instant.

Her hands grabbed Eleanor’s waist, steadying her. She felt Eleanor sucking in a breath. The world paused for a whole second, quiet and still and perfect.

Eleanor’s hands had landed on Danni’s chest, her fingers grabbing the flannel of her shirt and twisting it in her fists. Their bodies were inches apart. Danni’s breath came faster, her mouth went dry.

Neither of them moved.

An owl hooted outside.

“Careful,” Danni murmured. Her voice was low and husky.

Eleanor swallowed. Danni could feel her heart hammering, could feel the warmth of her. “I, uh…”

Danni didn’t let go, she didn’t step back. She just… held her. Until the look in Eleanor’s eyes was too much. She had to kiss her or…

Or deflect. “You know, for someone so refined, you sure do fall into my arms a lot.”

And just like that, the spell was broken.

Eleanor shoved at her. “Oh, shut up.”

Danni let go, laughing, the air between them still crackling with tension. “Just stating the truth, Princess.”

“If I’m a princess, I suggest you escort me to my awaiting chariot,” Eleanor said.