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long to kiss you again?”
    She blushed, and lowered her gaze.
    “So coy.” He lifted her chin so that he could see her eyes. “You are so beautiful when you blush. Those little spots of colour light up your whole expression. I want to see that glow all over you, and do things to you that’ll turn you absolutely pink.”
    “Yes, but you want Mr. Gilling to watch.”
    “No. I don’t wish him to watch, Viola. I want him to be part of everything. He’ll touch you and rouse you just as ardently as I will. We’re both so very desperately looking forward to discovering how best to please you.”
    “Please, you shouldn’t say such things.” Although in truth, she rather liked them. His words excited her almost as much as the press of his hand upon her back, and the brush of his hip as they turned. “You’ve a wicked tongue.”
    “Sweetness, if you think my talk is vulgar now, just wait until I tell you where I’d like to thrust my p—”
    “Shush!” she hushed him, and covered her face to hide both her outrage and laughter. “That’s the most impolite thing I’ve ever heard.”
    “Then what a lot you’ve missed out on. We’ll have such fun, Viola. Please, say yes.”
    “I told you, we must speak privately first. The three of us.”
    “Very well, then let us do it now, before you’re so in demand, I’ve no hope of securing your attention again.” He led her from the floor and toward the pitchers of spiced wine that were being served. Having acquired two cups, he thrust one into her hands. “Drink, your expression is far too serious. Be merry, Viola or else everyone will believe me exceedingly dull, and that won’t do at all.”
    She sipped at the warm beverage, as having summoned Percy with a tilt of his head, William steered her into the quieter vestibule that led to where the card tables were being housed. They were still within sight of everyone, but no longer likely to be overheard.
    “Is something untoward?” Percy asked when he caught up with them.
    “Viola feels she has something she needs to tell us both. As you can see, it’s clearly rather dire, because it’s sucked all the joy from her.”
    “Are you sure you haven’t insulted her? Was he rude to you, Viola? He can be such a terrible cad. Lewdness, is not becoming, sir.” He addressed the latter part to William. “Must you show all your warts to her?”
    “It isn’t anything he said to me. It’s something I ought to have told you.” They both stared eagerly at her waiting for her to continue. Viola took a deep breath. “I’m not what you think I am. Nor do I know if I can be the woman you want. I don’t have any experience of loving two men.” She didn’t have experience of loving even one. “What happened to me in the past wasn’t quite as people report. It was all a huge misunderstanding.”
    She paused to steal herself for their reactions. They were both hanging on her every word. “I didn’t sneak off to do wicked things with those men. I stumbled upon them by accident, and then they grabbed me and we were found. I spent less time and had less contact with them than we have enjoyed, even if the kiss upon the green were discounted.”
    “You weren’t…They weren’t your lovers?” Percy queried. His handsome face crumpled by a frown.
    “No. I was trying to avoid somebody, and chose the wrong place to hide, that’s all.”
    Her words sucked the joy right out of him. He just stared at her. Then he shook his head and kept on shaking it. Viola had never seen a man look so crestfallen, not even in the immediate aftermath of her fall from grace. Her brothers and her father hadn’t been hurt by what had happened, only angered that she’d allowed herself to compromised.
    William squeezed Percy’s shoulder, and then exchanged a look.
    “I’d best go,” she said. Now, before she caused any more hurt.
    “No. Viola, wait.” William caught hold of her arm, and made her face him. His expression was soft and kind,