Could he see how she longed for him? Not only in the physical sense, but in every other, perhaps. Just as he was, just as they had been.

She longed for them.

Could that come again?

Her lips began to tremble, her tears near at hand if there were no signs of hope from him. Perhaps even in this agonizing wait.

His attention on her never wavered. He seemed as intent as Adelaide was, which was encouraging and frightening all at once. What was he seeing? What was he feeling?

What did he want?

His mouth suddenly twitched, moving in one corner just enough to make her heart leap. If he could grant her the sight of her most favorite smile, all could not be lost.

She felt her lips curve into her own smile, keeping it contained, just as he did. If he was encouraging her, she would encourage him, too.

Basset moved then, slowly working his way through the guests between the two of them. Her breath caught with every step he took, her heart growing a little less steady.

She searched his features, every particle of them, looking for a sign that all was forgiven, that he still cared for her, and that all was not lost.

She heard echoes of their own voices in her head.

Surely you aren’t suggesting that you adore me.

No. But I don’t mind pretending I do.

This did not feel like pretending. Not in the least.

Basset was nearly to her but shifted his step to not be beside her, but behind. She reached her hand behind her just a little, even if to only brush her fingers against his coat. She could not follow his progress unless she wished to appear like a lovesick, desperate woman in need of attention.

His smallest finger suddenly slid against hers, hooking into it as though they were shaking hands through a single finger for each of them. The grip was faint, but it was there, and that was enough.

Adelaide exhaled a stuttering sigh, closing her eyes upon the wash of tears that had finally formed, along with a dash of hope.

Harrison did not want to be standing here in his brother’s rooms to have this conversation, but Emblyn was currently determined to take her turn nursing the blackguard.

“It is just a dowry, Emblyn,” Harrison whispered, willing their brother to stay asleep so he might not have two siblings to fight in the same space of an hour.

“Oh,” she replied in complete derision, “sommat to bribe a man to make me his wife? I’ll not do it.”

It was all Harrison could do not to roll his eyes. “No! Something to make sure you are cared for and have enough to live on, no matter what.”

Emblyn paused in her adjusting of the bedsheets. “Dowries go to the man, do they naw?”