“Does she know that I still cause your heart to pound? It pounds now, Matteo. I feel it against my own.” Her voice sounded breathless, almost airy with desire.

Scarlet could bear it no longer. She ran down the hedgerows in a straight line back to the house. Entering through a hidden servants’ passageway, she made her way as quickly as possible back to her rooms. She must spend a moment gathering her thoughts.

One thing was certain: Simon was absurdly and dreadfully correct. She could not bare herself to Matteo. For now, she would need to continue her charade until it almost consumed her. She must play the fool at home as well as in public. That thought brought such a wave of exhaustion, she reached a hand out against the wall to steady herself until she reached her room and fell onto the nearest stool. Too painful to address, her feelings tightened into the depths of her core; she pushed them deeper. Then she breathed, building the courage to return to her guests. Knowing she would be surrounded by people, she braced herself for the overpowering loneliness.

Chapter Sixteen

Matteo searched the hedges where they stood and hissed, “Stop it, Éléonore. Someone might hear you. Leave Scarlet out of this.”

“I am only having a bit of fun. No one is here to witness.” Éléonore ran a hand up his arm. “I must admit I enjoy this side of you. So vulnerable.”

Matteo flinched away. “I have nothing more to say to you. I have done my best. Escorted you everywhere you asked—the Pinckneys’ dinner party even—listening at every turn. Tell your committee to back away from Potier.”

“All in good time. I have another task for you. The French nationals ball. I am certain our illustrious Pimpernel will be in attendance. If you can bring me his name, all will be forgiven, letters destroyed, Potier saved.”

“As you wish.” Matteo gritted his teeth in frustration. Éléonore had forced an encounter with him on the very day of his wedding, tormenting him for her own pleasure. All he wanted was to end this conversation as quickly as possible and find Scarlet.

He had heard news of several of his old neighbors, thanking him for the warning. But he had not heard from all, and he knew that Potier and his family remained in the gravest danger. Curse his wretched youth. He’d lamented his youth more often than ever these past two months.