And a touch thrilling.
It had been three days since she’d left her house. Three days since she attended any event. And five days since she’d last sunk beneath the river in the arms of this man. She hadn’t set out to avoid him or any of the balls and musicales she’d been invited to, it was just that Harriet’s talk of worthiness had bound her to her room in reflection.
Something Leonora had never done before.
She’d been reflecting on her position, on worthiness, and it was a topic not for the faint-hearted, since no matter how she looked at it, worthiness was something she came up short on every single time she considered it.
Harriet advised that she find a man worthy of her, but her friend didn’t understand Leonora’s position. If anyone should be weighed against that word—bastard—it should be her. Her friend might accept her if the truth became known. But would anyone else?
The truth... if she was right about her birth, she was a by-blow.
I, Leonora Heart, am a by-blow.There she’d admitted it.
She’d never done so before, even in her own mind. After she’d gained the knowledge as a child, she’d been careful not to allow that word into her head even as she’d decided that sinceitwas the case, she would enjoy all the moments she could.
Well,ithad a name now.
By-blow.
A word meaning the very opposite of worthiness.
She stared at the man before her, impeccably attired in the latest fashion. He’d chosen the color blue for his waistcoat this time, the same color as his eyes, and when he turned to meet her gaze, the smile that stretched his lips took her breath away.
Worthiness . . .
Even a rake, she couldn’t match on that score. Rake, libertine, wastrel—they were just monikers assigned to the man based on his infamous reputation. At his core, he was still Rake Sloane, the Earl of Dare, born within the scope of worthiness along with wealth and privilege. No man or woman or king or queen could dispute this. The only way this man could ever become unworthy was if he did some dastardly deed and never atoned for his sins.
Unlike her.
Yes, Leonora was born into wealth and privilege as well. The only thing that really separated them was the circumstance of their births.
Such a small thing.
Such a big thing.
She glanced around the room. Was this a mistake? Had he accidentally wandered into her home? Ridiculous, Leonora! She could do nothing but ask, “What are you doing here, Dare?”
“Am I not allowed to call on you?”
“I... no...” She gave him a helpless look. “But you’ve never called on me before.”
“I never missed your face before.”
“Well, at least you are honest.” She sank into the chair. “Is that the only reason, though? I suspect not many ladies enjoy the honor of being called upon by the infamous Lord Dare.”
His brows gathered into a storm. “What’s wrong?”
Could he tell? “Nothing.”
He simply regarded her. “Then why the glum face?”
“Well, have you seen the papers?” There was no way she could have a conversation about worthiness with this man. It would reveal far too much. And she wouldn’t need to when she had such an easy excuse for low spirits at hand.
“That is what your absence is about? Where is the woman who boldly attended a picnic after the avian debacle?”
“She was caught in an alligator scuffle.”
He snorted. “Nonsense.”
