Mr. Morley eyed Lottie warily, as if she had suddenly turned into a live python instead of a woman with opinions. Then he appealed to Mr. Drakos. “I’m sure you agree with me.”

“I believe the ladies should be heard,” the older man said with surprising disapproval. “Otherwise, it makes you Englishmen seem terrified of your own women. Though I suppose you must be. Why else deny them the vote?”

Mr. Morley’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, and Lottie had to smother a laugh into her napkin. Apparently his dilettante ways stopped at the idea of women’s suffrage. She caught Alec’s eye from across the table, but he seemed even less amused than before. Couldn’t he at least give her a smirk? Surely that was allowed between cousins…

Beside her, Mr. Drakos stood and held out his hand. “I would be happy to escort you into the drawing room, Miss Gresham. And we may discuss anything you wish,” he added pointedly.

Lottie smiled and accepted his hand. She had done nothing to deserve such kindness from him. “Thank you, sir.”

As they all stood from the table, Alec once again took Madame Noir’s arm in his. They exchanged a warm smile and the woman had the audacity to reach out and brush the back of a gloved finger to his cheek.

The pinch in Lottie’s chest suddenly burned so sharply, so deeply, that she nearly lost her breath.

“I think you may need some air, Miss Gresham.” Mr. Drakos made the gentle suggestion as they entered the drawing room. “Let us go out onto the balcony.”

“Yes,” she rasped, twisting away from the happy pair. “That sounds perfect.”

He placed a warm hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the open balcony doors just as Madame Noir’s enchanting laugh floated into the room.

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Alec spirited Madame Noir away to a secluded corner of the sumptuous drawing room so they could talk more “privately.” They had entered in time to see Mr. Drakos escort Lottie outside, and this spot offered the best view of the balcony doors.

“Really, Professor,” the woman cooed as they sat down on a rich velvet couch. “She will be fine. Let her enjoy a little freedom while she is away from home.” She then placed her palm on Alec’s knee. He raised an eyebrow, but she took his silence as encouragement and slid her hand up a little higher, a familiar glint in her eye.