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She felt the seriousness of his question—and the honor of what it meant that he had asked her.

“I think…” she began carefully, “that I have already seen you make a tremendous impact on the world, just by being who you are in it.”

“That isn’t exactly going to keep a roof over our heads—not that I’m claiming some patriarchal responsibility to support you,” he added wryly. “I just… I dunno, Princess. I feel like I’m still trying to figure out who I’m supposed to be. Not for George Bates, but… maybe for you, a little. And for myself, mostly,” he added quickly before Ellie could protest.

Swallows flitted overhead, delicate shadows against the purple span of the night. The fountain splashed quietly in the lamplit courtyard below.

“Do you… think that’s something you could explore in India?” she asked.

Adam looked tired and a little battered—just a rough, scarred, soon-to-be-unemployed surveyor who also happened to be the bravest and most honorable man she’d ever known.

“Pretty sure I’ve told you this before,” he replied. “But where you go, I go… for as long as you’re willing to keep me around.”

“For as long as I’m willing?” Ellie pushed back crossly. “What—do you think I’m going to banish you to the hinterlands for displeasing me? We’ve already been to the hinterlands, and as I recall it, I was quite insistent on wanting to keep you very close indeed!”

Adam’s hand firmed on her back, pulling her a little nearer as a self-satisfied smile quirked his lip. “That does ring a bell or two.”

The strength of his grip—and the reminder that she stood inches from six-feet-or-so of wonderful, disreputable man, pushed Ellie’s thoughts in a somewhat less…collegialdirection. “And what about tonight? Did you have any…thoughtson where you might like to go?”

“You mean…” Adam prompted carefully.

Ellie elaborated quickly. “Of course, we are guests under Lady Sabita and Sir Robert’s roof, and I suppose it would be extremely inconsiderate of us if we were to engage in any less-than-entirely-proper activities while enjoying their hospitality. So I’d understand if you wished to… er… keep to your own devices for the evening.”

“My own… devices?” Adam’s words sounded tight.

“You know,” Ellie clarified. “Retire with a good book.”

Adam moved closer. It made him seem to loom over her, even as the heat of his body warmed her through the fabric of her blouse.

“Something on Latin conjugations, maybe?” he suggested silkily.

Ellie frowned. She was feeling a little distracted, which was making it hard to put her thoughts together. “I suppose that might be a fair option if you’re looking to go directly to sleep.”

“I’m not looking to go to sleep,” Adam said in a low rumble.

“Oh?” Ellie appeared to be going over a mite breathless.

His fingers grazed along the line of her back. “And as it happens, I can think of a thing or two I’d rather do to pass the time thanconjugate.” His hand stilled. “If you’re feeling amenable.”

Ellie had not wanted his hand to still. She slipped her own palms up the front of his shirt, feeling all the firm, elegant planes and contours that lay beneath the fabric. “I believe I could be quite amenable to a bit of consummation… I mean, conjugation!” she quickly corrected, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “No—caddishness!”

“Caddishness?” Adam carefully pressed.

“Definitely… caddishness,” Ellie breathlessly replied.

His mouth widened into a grin that bloomed like a slow summer sunrise. “Well, then,” he concluded—and swept her up into his arms.

He carried her down the hall, pushing open the door to her room with a precise tap of his boot. The space beyond was dark, quiet—and full of promise.

“So what are you… thinking, exactly?” Ellie asked, sliding her hand up the back of his neck to let her fingers tangle in his hair.

“I’m not.” Adam’s tone was darkly wicked as he gazed down at her, limned by the soft golden light from the hall. “I’m improvising.”

He was impulsive.Reckless… and Ellie was deeply, wildly grateful for all of it.

“Fiddlesticks,” Ellie breathed with approval.

Adam grinned, carried her inside, and kicked shut the door.