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“I am glad you are come, for there is such fun here!”

—Pride and Prejudice

LYDIA ONLY SAW the viscount in the evenings, which she tried to convince herself was a good thing.

She liked him rather too much. Besides, Lydia enjoyed every minute with Chloe, and she learned a great deal about old bones.

Ammonite fossils were sometimes called snakestones or Ammon’s horn and were recognizable by the coil-shelled cephalopods (many-limbed creatures like modern octopuses).

Belemnite fossils or shells were an extinct group of marine cephalopods commonly referred to as devil’s fingers .

And vertebrate fossils, which included large skeletons, were often called verteberries .

In return, Lydia continued to teach Chloe how to dance with the help of Mark, and she began the young woman’s education in the joys of shopping.

Luckily, Chloe was a quick learner, and the two spent many hours wandering the shops in Brighton.

The bright and pretty wares helped distract Lydia from thinking too much about Kingston.

Tonight, her charge was wearing several of their purchases: the beads strung artfully through Chloe’s curls, the bangles on her wrist, and a lovely silver chain that Lydia had used to help fasten a small belemnite fossil in place of the pendant.

Chloe’s dress was a dark blue satin that looked like the waves of the sea at night when she walked.

She would be the prettiest and best-dressed young woman at the public assembly.

“Do try to save some gentlemen for the rest of us to dance with,” Lydia teased.

Chloe’s cheeks instantly colored. “What if no one asks me to dance?”

Lydia walked closer to the young woman and straightened her necklace.

“I am certain that Mark intends to ask you for a set since you’ve been practicing together.

And I am certain that several other officers will beg for your company as well.

I hope that you aren’t prejudiced against men wearing regimentals. ”

The young woman’s face turned a darker shade of red. “Oh no! I think officers are quite handsome in their uniforms.”

“I’ve always had a weak spot for them myself.”

Chloe seemed to realize that Lydia was joking with her, and she smiled widely. “All of the officers are so fond of you.”

Lydia linked arms with her charge, and they left her room. “Only because I have nursed or sewn up most of them.”

Her charge stopped abruptly. “You’ve sewn their skin?”

Lydia smiled, having once been just as na?ve as Chloe about the dangers of army life.

“Yes. Military surgeons often have sloppy stitches that leave large scars. I fancy that my stitches are neat and small. I sewed up Mark’s face as well as his side—the cut was nearly six inches long—from a skirmish in India. ”

Chloe looked at Lydia in what appeared to be awe. “What an interesting life you have led, Lydia!”

“Interesting is just another word for uncomfortable,” Lydia said, nudging Chloe with her elbow as they continued to walk down the hall. “The more I’ve seen of the world, the more I have longed for a home of my own. Perhaps we always want what we do not have.”

“You will love our home near Lyme Regis, Lydia,” Chloe said, her eyes bright. “It’s called Cliff House, and you can see the sea from almost every window. And Monmouth Beach is only a short walk away—that is where we’ve found most of our ammonite fossils.”

“Your home sounds perfectly wonderful. I can’t wait to see it.”

“What do you want, Lydia?” Kingston asked from behind them.

Lydia startled and tried to act like a proper chaperone rather than a girl who fancies a man who is impossibly above her in rank.

Still, she answered truthfully. “A family of my own. But since that is unlikely, I hope that you don’t mind if I borrow yours for a little while, Kingston.

At least until Chloe finds the perfect husband. ”

Chloe laughed. “I don’t mind at all!”

She took her charge’s hand and squeezed it. “If I were to have had a daughter, I would have wanted her to be exactly like you. Smart and kind and pretty—all the best things.”

The young woman’s countenance sparkled from the compliment. Lydia’s own heart warmed. In her opinion, Chloe was becoming more lovely each day. More confident in her own worth and secure in her happiness.

Kingston bowed. “Shall we go to the assembly?”

“Yes!” Chloe said excitedly and went first down the stairs, leaving Lydia and Kingston standing awkwardly together at the top.

Lydia shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose we should follow her.”

He offered her his arm. “If I may?”

Her heart beat in her throat as she placed her fingers delicately on the crook of his arm. She didn’t need his support down the staircase, but it felt so wonderful to be treated as if she was something precious and important.

The carriage ride to the assembly room was uncomfortably quiet.

Lydia preferred noise, but Kingston inspired reverence, and Chloe fidgeted in her seat in apparent excitement.

For the first time, her charge would not have to stand on the side of the ballroom.

Chloe would be able to dance and frolic with her peers.

The well-read young woman had proven to be a quick study at dance steps.

Lydia could hardly wait to watch Chloe glide around the room.

They were met at the door by Mark, who only had eyes for Chloe. Lydia couldn’t have felt more pleased if she herself was receiving his attention.

Mark bowed to them and then held out his gloved hand to Chloe. “Miss Holden, might I have the pleasure of the first two dances?”

Like the modest young woman she was, Chloe glanced first to Lydia for permission.

Lydia nodded, trying to keep in her smile.

The son of a duke was a feather in any young lady’s cap—even if Mark would most likely never inherit the title.

Lydia wouldn’t have to worry about Chloe finding partners after she stood up with the young and handsome major.

The young couple walked to the dance floor, leaving Lydia alone with Kingston.

It wasn’t the first time that they’d been alone since she’d foolishly told the viscount that she wanted to kiss him. Kingston had kindly escorted her to and from the seashore in the evenings—and he’d barely uttered a word.

“Are you angry with me?” Lydia asked in a low voice.

His brow furrowed as if surprised or perplexed by her question. “Why would I be angry with you?”

She sucked in a breath. “You haven’t spoken much to me.”

“I haven’t had anything to say.”

“That has never stopped me from speaking before,” Lydia said with a nervous laugh.

Kingston’s lips twitched into a half smile as if he agreed with her. “I meant no offense—I have been thinking.”

“And thinking makes you quiet.”

“Yes.”

The viscount was certainly frugal with his words. Attempting to calm her painful heartbeat, Lydia changed the subject. “Chloe has made a fortunate conquest of Major Lord Mark Ross. She will never lack for partners at this assembly.”

“I hope that he doesn’t turn her head or her heart.”

“You don’t approve of a financially independent fourth son of a duke? Eldest sons are awfully difficult to come by, I can assure you. And Mark has an excellent character and will go far in his chosen career. He’s a natural leader. I expect him to become a general at the very least.”

One side of his mouth tilted upward, but his expression was thoughtful. “I do not mean any insult to your young friend. I only worry that Chloe will confuse infatuation with love and be hurt when the major dances and smiles with other young ladies.”

Lydia watched the pair on the dancefloor. They were both bright-eyed and smiling, clearly pleased to be in each other’s company. “Pain is an inescapable part of life, but I believe Chloe will be happier joining the dance rather than watching it from the side of the ballroom.”

“Like I do?”

She jerkily turned her head to look at Kingston. “I was not thinking of you at all. Only for your daughter.”

“I want you to think of me. I should like to dance—that is if you will dance with me.”

Chaperones did not dance, but when had Lydia ever followed the rules? She held out her hand to Kingston. “I would be honored.”

He took her hand into his and led her to join the second dance.

It was a waltz—which she’d taught to both father and daughter.

It was Lydia’s favorite. As soon as Kingston’s hand touched her waist, she knew that it would not be like any other waltz.

His opposite hand held hers firmly, and she could feel his warm breath on her face.

Lydia couldn’t help but smile. Kingston’s lips were close enough to kiss—not that she would break that particular rule.

It would damage both her reputation and Chloe’s too much.

But for a few precious moments, she allowed herself to think only about Kingston and the sheer pleasure of being in his arms, moving together to the music.

When the musicians played the last note, Lydia could have cried. She did not want this perfect moment to be over yet. But Kingston released her and stepped back to bow. Curtsying, Lydia had to heed her own advice: the dance was worth the pain.

THOMAS WANTED TO say something as they walked along the seashore.

Anything.

Euphemia had preferred the quiet. Thomas had learned to keep his thoughts, ideas, and even his feelings to himself. If he didn’t open his mouth, his late wife would have nothing to criticize him about.

The beautiful woman on his arm kept nothing back from the world.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he was so attracted to her.

Why he wished to spend every moment of the day in her company.

Like his concerns for his daughter, Thomas worried that what he felt for Lydia was infatuation and not love.

Not that he was experienced at romantic love—he’d never felt it before.

But whatever this uncomfortable but addicting feeling was, he wanted more of it.

“I have thought about what you said concerning the potential difficulties of a relationship between us. It would be unethical as your employer for me to seek your heart when, whether or not you receive my advances, could result in the loss of your income.”

Lydia sighed, and Thomas couldn’t help but look at her lovely lips and wish that she’d kiss him.

Forcing his gaze back in front of him, Thomas continued.

“That being said, I wish to explore my feelings for you. Therefore, I have written to my banker, and he has put five thousand pounds in a bank account solely in your name. Whether or not you wish to allow me to court you, Lydia, you need never fear for your future security again. If you chose to leave my employment tomorrow, you could easily live on the yearly income from the money.”

She squeezed his arm tightly, and Thomas could no longer resist looking at her. “Kingston, I don’t want your money! Or your title. I promise that I am not a scheming widow. I merely find myself infatuated with you. Please take the sum back.”

He shook his head. “I cannot. The money is now irrevocably yours, and please do not fret about it. You saved my daughter from a scoundrel. Five thousand pounds is a small price to pay.”

Lydia turned and grabbed both of his shoulders. His body warmed underneath her touch. “But I don’t want you to pay me anything. You owe me nothing, Kingston.”

“My name is Thomas, and no one has called me that since I was a child. I want you to call me Thomas, Lydia. I want to court you when we are alone on this beach at night—when I am not your employer. You are now a financially independent woman, and if you wish to accept my romantic attentions, I should be most grateful.”

Water filled her dark eyes and caused them to gleam in the moonlight.

His heart sank, but he did not regret his actions.

Even if Lydia did not return his feelings, he wanted to ensure that she never starved again.

He did not regret the five thousand pounds—he was a very wealthy man, and such a sum was a mere drop in the bucket of his fortune.

Yet she did not release her hold on his shoulders.

Thomas felt his breath catch as she leaned forward on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his.

Over and over. The friction was intoxicating.

Lydia’s hands moved up from his shoulders to his neck, and she pulled his body flush against hers.

Thomas was surprised and opened his lips—only for Lydia to deepen the kiss.

He’d never been kissed like this before, and he wasn’t precisely certain what he was supposed to do.

But every inch of his heart and body did not want the kiss to end, so he mirrored Lydia’s lip movements as best as he could.

Her mouth tasted sweet, and her hands caressed the back of his head.

She slowly broke the kiss, but she did not move away from him. She rubbed her nose against his and giggled. “Hello, Thomas, I am Lydia. And I have wanted to kiss you from the first time that I saw you in your nightshirt.”

A laugh rumbled from his chest, and the smile she gave him caused his blood to sing. Lydia kissed both of his cheeks before stepping back from him. “Do you want to splash with me?”

He shook his head. “No. But I am happy to watch you.”

Lydia grabbed him by the lapels of his coat and pulled him to her for another hard but quick kiss. “I promise not to take too long.”

Thomas watched as she shed her pelisse and boots and ran into the sea with her arms waving. She kicked and splashed in the water, her face wreathed in smiles.