She exhaled, flaring her nostrils. There was no help for it. “Be that as it may—”

He snatched the book from her hands and flung it across the room. It landed with a thwack against the far wall. Upton stood in front of her with his feet braced apart and his hands on his hips. A muscle ticked in his jaw. “No you don’t. You may hide from the world behind your precious books but you’re not going to hide from me. Not tonight.”

Jane’s hand flew to her throat. She forced herself to push up her chin and meet his gaze. His eyes shot green sparks. The reckoning was upon her. “Very well, Upton. Say what you must.” She clasped her hands in her lap.

He remained facing her, hands still on his hips. His breathing was labored. He searched her face. “I know it was you in the drawing room the other night.”

“Yes. You’ve already said as much.” She tried to keep her dastardly knees from shaking.

“Are you going to deny it?”

Jane fought her blush. “As much as I’d like to, what would be the point?”

“Thank you for that.” His shoulders relaxed a bit. He expelled his breath and let his hands drop to his sides.

In an attempt to distract him from her shaking legs, she plucked at the folds in her green gown. “I’m not doing you a favor, Upton. I’m merely attempting to spare myself more shame.”

He stood towering above her. “Did you know it was me? That night?”

She craned her neck to look up at him. “Please sit. You’re making me nervous.” How on earth was she supposed to answer his question?

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The Bible verse rang in her head. Mocking her. Oh, she knew her Bible verses. Perhaps she didn’t agree with all of them. Or most of them. But she knew them.

She took a deep breath. It was time for the truth. “Yes, I knew it was you.”

Upton slid onto the settee next to her, leaned forward, and braced his elbows on his knees, staring ahead into the darkened room. “The entire time?”

“No. I discovered it about halfway through. That’s why I didn’t want to remove my mask.” She took another deep breath. She might as well ask him the same. “Did you know it was me?”

“Not until the next morning.” He hung his head. “I don’t know what to say,” he murmured.

“Exactly why I didn’t feel we needed to have this conversation,” she replied with a slight, humorless laugh.

“Jane, I—”