[i]“I cannot imagine you wanting your space after I’m done with you.”[/i]

His excitement, whether real or not, was infectious, causing her crack a shy smile. Still, her request would stand the same. She didn’t want to use servants or any outside help in speaking with her current contacts, and that just hadn’t been possible in days. Her employer was afraid she’d come too close to blowing her cover, and hopefully this would help ease the tension and fears of everyone involved.

[i]“Much as I would like to spend more time with you, I believe you need to go back to your estate…[/i]

It was a shame she’d used one of her few opportunities to slip away just to meet [i]him[/i]. Just as she was about to speak he kissed her forehead, something Claire hadn’t expected. “I agreed, Nicholas, you don’t need to do that,” she sighed, giving the horse one last pat. “And I know, I need to go. I plan on walking anyway.” She didn’t live terribly far away, and it would feel good to stretch her legs. Hopefully being seen not doing anything wrong by others would help, though she doubted it.

She left with hardly any goodbye, and thankfully was barely missed, and simply said she went for a walk. Her father hadn’t been happy about it, but didn’t argue. The next day Claire woke feeling nothing but anxiety, wishing Nicholas would hurry this meeting along. Did they really have to go through with a big wedding? Couldn’t it be something small and quick, giving her the escape from the family house that she needed? Claire hoped he would agree to it, only problem was the Duke wouldn’t. He would want everyone and anyone to know his daughter married well after the affair. Maybe Nick could help her talk him out of it.