E lsbeth could tell that something was troubling Niles. The tightening of his jaw was a subtle but telltale sign. It was one of the many small habits she had begun to notice about him. And therein lay the problem. She shouldn’t be noticing anything about him. They were merely friends. Nothing more.

Yet, the gnawing need to address his unease refused to leave her alone. She needed to speak with him privately, but what excuse could she possibly offer that wouldn’t raise suspicion?

Eugenie’s animated discussion about a book she was reading provided an unexpected spark of inspiration. It wasn’t the most brilliant idea, but it would suffice.

Elsbeth tossed the blanket from her lap and rose. “Eugenie, I have a book that you might enjoy.”

Her friend’s eyes lit up with interest. “Which book?”

Drat. She hadn’t thought this through. She had no specific book in mind. But Eugenie was waiting expectantly, so she managed a weak smile. “It’s a surprise.”

Eugenie frowned. “I do not like surprises.”

Niles chuckled from his seat nearby. “That much is true,” he said. “She’s managed to ruin every present I’ve given her over the past few years.”

“This is a good surprise,” Elsbeth said with more confidence than she felt. Was it? Would she even find a book in the library that Eugenie might enjoy?

Eugenie relented with a sigh. “Very well. I suppose I can wait.”

Elsbeth turned to Niles. “Would you care to accompany me?”

He sprang to his feet, looking uncharacteristically eager. “I’d be happy to.” His enthusiasm was almost suspicious. “Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.

She accepted, and together they left the drawing room. Once in the quiet corridor, she leaned closer to him. “What is troubling you?”

“Why do you suppose something is troubling me?”

“You were clenching your jaw,” she said plainly.

He arched a brow. “Pardon?”

“You clench your jaw when you’re upset. So tightly, in fact, that a vein pulsates just above it,” she explained.

“You noticed that?”

Heat rose to her cheeks. She struggled to sound indifferent. “It’s fairly obvious. Anyone with eyes could see it.”

Niles smirked. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You may take it however you like,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “Now, tell me, what has you so troubled?”

His expression turned serious. “Do you know what caused your food poisoning?”

“No, but it could have been anything.”

He paused. “What if you were poisoned?”

Elsbeth stopped abruptly and turned to face him. “I beg your pardon?”

He raised a hand to placate her. “Hear me out before you dismiss the idea. I believe your cousin might have poisoned you.”

Her brow furrowed. “Why would you think such a thing?”

“Did he give you anything to eat or drink? Was he ever alone with your food?”

“No, he wasn’t alone with my food, but he did give me a lozenge. That hardly means he poisoned me.”

“Did you get sick after eating it?”

“Yes, but?—”

“Did he eat one as well?” Niles interrupted, stepping closer.

“No, but?—”

“Then surely you see the problem,” he pressed.

She threw up her hands. “Why do you insist on believing Charles means me harm?”

“Did you eat anything else that could have caused your illness?”

“I had my usual breakfast—one egg, one piece of toast, and ham,” she replied impatiently. “I admit it doesn’t look good for Charles, but that doesn’t mean he poisoned me.”

Niles gave her a pointed look. “He shot at you.”

“That was an accident.”

“Was it?”

Before she could retort, muffled shouting reached them from the direction of her stepfather’s study. She raised a finger to her lips, signaling Niles to follow her.

They approached the study quietly. The door was ajar, allowing her to peer inside. Alfred sat at his desk, his face set in a scowl. A man she had seen only once before stood before him, speaking in hushed but heated tones.

“Why is Lord Bedford poking around in matters that do not concern him?” Alfred demanded.

The man shrugged. “Do you want me to take care of it?”

“Yes,” Alfred said sharply. “But make sure it can’t be traced back to me. ”

“I can be discreet.”

Alfred’s expression darkened further. “If Lord Bedford keeps asking questions, it’ll be his funeral.”

Elsbeth’s breath caught in her throat. Her stepfather’s words echoed ominously in her mind.

“I won’t disagree with you there, Sir. I’ll handle it,” the man responded before he turned to leave.

Elsbeth’s pulse quickened at the sight. They needed to hide, and quickly.

Without hesitation, she reached for Niles’s hand and pulled him into the nearest room, a parlor just off the corridor.

The soft click of the door closing behind them felt deafening in the tense silence.

She leaned against it, taking a steadying breath to calm her racing heart.

Niles remained close. “What do you make of that conversation?” he asked in a low voice.

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “But it doesn’t bode well for Charles. What could he be poking around in that has my stepfather so agitated?”

“Do you know who that man was with your stepfather?”

“I’ve seen him once before, the last time I overheard my stepfather in conversation. He’s not someone I recognize from our social circles.”

As the words left her mouth, she became acutely aware of the warmth of Niles’s hand in hers.

She froze, the realization sending a wave of mortification through her.

What must he think of her, dragging him around like this?

Quickly, she released his hand and took a step back, putting a bit of space between them.

“Now do you believe me?” she asked, hoping to distract Niles from her embarrassment. “My stepfather is not who he pretends to be.”

Niles’s gaze lingered on her, thoughtful. “I’ll admit, that conversation was... troubling.”

“Troubling?” she echoed, her voice full of incredulity. “ What is he involved in? And why would he want to harm my cousin?”

“I know that look. You’re about to go off half-cocked, aren’t you?”

She straightened her posture, indignant. “No, I’m merely considering my options. For instance, I think it’s time I follow my stepfather and see where he’s been going. He travels to the next village over far too often for it to be a coincidence. What business could he possibly have there?”

“It might be perfectly innocent,” Niles suggested, though his skeptical tone betrayed his true thoughts.

“Or it might be illicit,” she countered.

He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression stern. “Elsbeth, you promised me you wouldn’t play highwaywoman ever again.”

“I did,” she agreed with a sigh. “But following someone discreetly is hardly the same thing.”

“And if you’re caught?”

She shrugged. “Who says I’ll be caught?”

Niles stared at her, his exasperation palpable. After a long pause, he relented. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”

Elsbeth blinked, surprised by his quick concession. “I never asked you to.”

“True,” he said, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “But I think we both know it’s for the best. Someone needs to ensure you don’t get yourself into more trouble. And, more importantly, that you stay safe.”

His earnestness gave her pause. For a moment, she could only look at him, uncertain of how to respond. Finally, she nodded, her voice softer than before. “Thank you, Niles.”

“Just don’t make me regret it.”

She found herself staring into his eyes—deeper than she ought to—and noticed, for the first time, the faint brown flecks scattered within the green.

It was a detail so minute, so personal, that it made her pulse quicken.

She shouldn’t be this close to him. But she was.

And to her dismay, she rather liked the nearness of him.

The sound of her own breath brought her back to reality. They were alone in the parlor, a situation that could lead to talk if anyone happened upon them. It may be the countryside where propriety was a touch more forgiving, but not so much as to excuse a moment like this.

“Shall we return to your sister and aunt?” she asked, her voice more steady than she felt.

For a fleeting moment, she thought she caught a flash of disappointment in his eyes. Or had she imagined it? “Of course. But shouldn’t we fetch the book you promised Eugenie first?”

Elsbeth winced. “I’ll admit, there is no book. I only said that to have an excuse to speak with you privately.”

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “Ah, I see. Well then, perhaps we can make good on that promise. Let’s find a book together that might pique my sister’s interest.”

“A reasonable suggestion.” She crossed to the door and opened it just enough to peek into the corridor, ensuring it was empty before stepping through.

Niles followed, his footsteps light on the carpet as they made their way towards the library.

“What kind of books does your sister enjoy?” Elsbeth asked, breaking the silence.

He chuckled. “I’m not sure there’s a book my sister doesn’t enjoy. Her tastes are varied, to say the least.”

“Noted. So, we’re looking for anything and everything?”

“Precisely.”

As they approached the library doors, Elsbeth couldn’t help but glance sideways at him.

He seemed so at ease, so comfortable in her presence, and she realized with some surprise that she felt the same.

She wasn’t quite sure what to make of that, but she knew it was a thought that was best left for another time.

She approached one of the towering bookshelves that lined the back wall of the library. Her eyes roamed over the spines, her fingers trailing along the textured leather bindings as she searched for a title. At last, she paused and tilted her head. “What about Nathan der Weise ?”

Niles stepped closer, far closer than she had expected. “I think it’s a perfect choice.”

“Good.”

Without thinking, they both reached for the book at the same time. Their fingers brushed—a fleeting, accidental touch, but it sent an unwelcome jolt up her arm.

Niles quickly withdrew his hand. “My apologies,” he murmured.