Everton cocked his head to one side. That was an interesting tidbit. Miss Barton was full of surprises this evening. But even still, she didn’t belong here. No woman did. Perhaps it was time he surprised her. His eyes met her insistent ones. Her hand flew back to the interior handle of the door, her elbow locked straight as if announcing her intentions to stay. If she was so determined, there was only one thing to do.

He leaned back so he could see all of her. Slowly and deliberately, he took in her figure. Even wet, and with a multitude of skirts to hide her shape, he still knew all the right places to pause in his assessment to cause a slow rise of a blush on her cheeks. It was one of his very few skills, and he was quite proud of it. Nothing in Miss Barton’s demeanor suggested she actually wanted to be ruined. Despite coming to visit him unchaperoned, she was a young lady of moral uprightness if ever he saw one.

Which meant there was a very simple way to make her leave.

“You may leave, Nelson. I can hardly expect to ruin a lady with you around.”

Miss Barton swallowed softly, the delicate movement bringing his eyes once again to her throat. How long had it been since his fingers had brushed a throat like that? Longer than it had been since he had slept well, of that much he was certain. The two weren’t exactly unrelated.

“No,” she said, her chin rising again. Her eyes did not leave his own. “Nelson, stay.” Instead of shrinking or dashing out of the door, she stood taller and stepped closer to him.

He smiled. Miss Barton would be a challenge. He had a sudden desire to listen to her plan. He could use a diversion. But his situation with Lady Emily was tenuous at best, and he couldn’t be seen showing interest in another woman.

Not yet.

He took a small step, closing the distance between the two of them. “He is my servant. Do you actually think he will listen to you over me?”

Nelson stood at attention. “I’ll stay, miss.”

Blast Nelson, the traitor. Everton would threaten to relieve him of his position, but Nelson would know he was bluffing.

His late-night intruder flashed Nelson a brilliant smile, the sad remains of which she turned to him. The small, unlikely spike of energy he felt as he gazed at her throat was gone, replaced by exhaustion deep in his bones. He wouldn’t allow this woman, who gave broader smiles to his butler than to him, remain in his home another moment.

“Whatever it is you had planned, I don’t agree to it.”

Her eyes flashed back and forth between his, as if she could tell he was truly withdrawing. “I simply need you to come into my office a few times over the next two months and scare away the men that are constantly there.” Her words came out in a rush.