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off guard. ‘Can you forgive me, Miss Cherington?’
    ‘For what? Your gross miscalculation?’
    ‘Miscalculation?’
    ‘Yes. You thought that your charm was irresistible and that I’d succumb. You were very wrong.’
    Behind his smile he was angry, but he’d decided on a new approach this morning, and that meant concealing the truth. ‘I’m afraid to say that you’re right, Miss Cherington, but it wasn’t what it seemed. If I hoped my charm was irresistible, it was because I’m so very drawn to you. I want to redeem myself in your eyes, because if it’s possible to start again—’
    ‘There’s nothing to start, sir,’ she replied quickly, not trusting such a complete turnabout.
    ‘But there is. I hold you in very high regard, Miss Cherington, too high to be happy with my conduct last night. You must at least allow me the chance to redeem myself. Please say that you will.’
    ‘Sir, I am only the governess, and you—’
    ‘And I’m the son of the house. I know. I am also a man very much attracted to you, and as such I’m your equal, not your better.’ A door opened and closed on the floor above, and he looked up sharply. ‘We can’t talk here, please say you’ll meet me somewhere tonight.’
    She drew back. ‘Certainly not.’
    ‘Please, I beg of you. I promise on my honor to behave like a gentleman. My parents have a card party tonight, but I’ll be able to slip away at ten. We could meet at the summerhouse. Please agree, for I need the opportunity to speak properly to you.’
    ‘I said no, sir, and I meant it. You revealed yourself for what you really are last night, and I’d be a fool indeed to expose myself to more of the same. Well, I’m not a fool, sir, so please don’t treat me like one.’
    He dissembled again. ‘I know you’re not a fool, Miss Cherington, and I also know that you set great store by fair play. Last night you were very quick to point out that I was wrong to condemn your brother out of hand, but now you’re condemning me out of hand, and what could be more unfair than that? You mustn’t deny me the chance to prove that I’m truly repentant. I’ve tried already this morning to right a little of the wrong.’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘I mentioned the matter of your wish to meet your brother in Brentford. Maybe I wasn’t successful, but I did try. I feel truly appalled about what I did last night, Miss Cherington, you must believe me.’
    ‘Please, sir….’
    ‘Meet me, for I must speak properly to you,’ he pressed, his brown eyes bright with earnest imploring.
    She hesitated. She had insisted on defending Tom’s good name, and now she was being equally insistent that Captain Geoffrey Lawrence didn’t have a good name to defend. But what if last night had been a momentary transgression? What if he was genuinely repentant? She was torn, and in her quandary forgot all his other sins, such as embarking upon the distasteful affair with his father’s new bride.
    ‘Do me the honor of hearing me out,’ he said softly, knowing that she was wavering.
    ‘I.…’
    ‘Please.’
    ‘Very well,’ she said reluctantly.
    He smiled.

6
     
     
    A s Louisa was making her ill-judged assignation with treacherous, predatory Geoffrey, Kit was posting with all haste toward London to see her brother. The passage across the Solent had been worse than he’d expected, and the Spindrift had been delayed outside Southampton Water for some time so that it was well after dawn when at last she’d entered the port. He’d intended to rest awhile at an inn before continuing with his journey, but the delay meant that there wasn’t time for that, so he’d immediately hired a post chaise, only to find his progress hampered by flash floods after the night’s torrential rain.
    It was almost dark and the streetlamps were being lit as the chaise at last reached the capital, traveling through Mayfair and turning into New Bond Street. Glancing wearily out of the window, he saw