As soon as he entered the ballroom he saw her. Somehow his nerves seemed to be attuned to Chloe’s presence. He could instinctively pick her out of any crowd. But what in God’s name was he to do now? The Commonweals were making unmistakable gestures of leave-taking. Lady Commonweal was clucking about, gathering her shawls and pillboxes; Sir Nigel Commonweal was holding his wife’s wrap while his eyes scanned—far too ardently! Will thought wrathfully—Chloe’s bosom. But it was clear that someone was holding up the party. That tiresome girl of theirs must be missing, Will thought. What was her name? Something like Bessy, except that was a dairy maid’s name. Even as he watched, Lady Commonweal urgently directed Chloe off toward the salons while her husband headed out to the terrace and the gardens beyond.

Will moved quickly along the side of the ballroom, twisting among groups of chattering girls, delicate French chairs holding matrons wearing little starched caps, the occasional gallant broodily leaning against the wall. He had to see her; he had to talk to her. Tomorrow would be too late. Then, suddenly, there Chloe was before him. She was working her way along the same wall, rather than heading straight out to the salons, as he had guessed.

Chloe looked at him guardedly, her beautiful eyes shadowed.

“She isn’t back there,” Will said with a toss of his head. Chloe frowned. “Bessy, or whatever her name is, the Commonweal girl,” he added. “She must be in one of the salons.”

Chloe nodded a chilly thank you and turned around, working her way back to the doors leading to the great hallway. Every nerve tingled, telling her that Will was following just behind. At the top of the ballroom steps she didn’t allow herself to look behind her. Instead she set off resolutely down the hallway toward the Green Salon, as she had heard Charlotte call it. She pushed the door open cautiously. Surely Sissy couldn’t be foolish enough to be sitting out a dance in a closed salon! That alone was enough to ruin a girl’s reputation. The room appeared to be empty, lit only by candles that were beginning to burn low.

Suddenly a warm, utterly male body came up sharply behind hers and pushed her through the doors, which shut behind them with a little click. Will wrapped his arms around Chloe and held her there, her back pressed against his chest. She didn’t struggle; that must mean something, he thought.

“I missed you,” he said.

Chloe stared straight ahead. She had her emotions under fragile control. The only thought in her mind was that she mustn’t respond to anything he said, because he would accuse her of being a tart again. Then his head bent and she realized he was dropping kisses on her head and rubbing his cheek in her hair.

“Sir,” she began primly.

Will kissed her ear. “Yes?”