Page 65 of A Fragile Enchantment

Sinclair lobbed the biscuit at him. It bounced off his shoulder and crumbled to pieces on the floor. “Answer the question.”

Kit glared at him as he brushed crumbs off his sleeve. “No. I haven’t.”

“Then what are you doing here, alone, in the middle of the day?”

Niamh laughed nervously. “I am sure this is not necessary—”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Kit replied.

“Drinking tea, like a civilized person!I’mnot engaged.” Sinclair pinched the bridge of his nose and tipped his head back. “Dear God. Have either of you heard of subtlety? And you, Carmine, romance? I don’t see any flowers here. It is hardly an excusable oversight, considering you can grow them any time you’d like.”

Niamh groaned, burying her face in her hands.

Kit’s composure finally cracked. He scowled, but his face burned red. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh,please.Don’t insult me. The two worst liars I’ve ever met inmy life are both standing in this room. You need my advice desperately, but on second thought, I really do not want to hear anything about the matter. I have seen enough to know what is going on here, and I am frankly scarred from it.”

“Are you done?” Kit asked. Somehow, he’d gotten redder.

“I am sure there is more to be said about how ill-advised this is,” Sinclair said primly. “But for now, yes.”

“Great. Now leave.”

“Youleave,” he countered. “I have an appointment.”

They stared at each other for a few long moments before Kit surrendered. He glanced at Niamh and said lowly, “Tomorrow.”

She tried not to shiver at the promise in his words. She could do nothing but nod before he retreated into the hallway. Sinclair observed their exchange from the chaise longue he’d claimed. As soon as the door fell shut behind Kit, Sinclair placed his teacup back on its saucer with a brittleclinkand quirked a brow at her.

Well?he said without speaking at all.

“I did not mean for this to happen! It was only supposed to be one time, and then he just… We did not actually—” Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “Anyway! I suppose the particulars do not matter or interest you.”

Sinclair watched her with curiosity and disgust warring on his face. “Well, now I have to know. How is he?”

“Sinclair!”

“Sorry, sorry. I know this is serious. I am only trying to cope with this very unwise thing you’ve both decided to do. I did try to warn you off it.” He rubbed his temple. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think anyone knows yet. I haven’t heard anything about it.”

Yet.As if it were an inevitability. “How reassuring.”

He seemed to be beating back the impulse to lecture her further. “I don’t mean to worry you. I’m just worriedaboutyou. If this gets out…”

It would spell disaster for them both.

“I know.” She sat in front of her vanity and rested her head in her hands. “I don’t know what to do. Since I arrived, we’ve been something like friends. But I fear I have developed feelings for him that I shouldn’t have.”

Surprise passed over his face—and something else that looked almost like regret. “This means something to you, then?”

She nodded miserably. “I never believed he would be interested in me. Last night, I was so happy. Even though I know he cannot promise me anything, I thought I could be satisfied, knowing I had him to myself for one night. I thought I could keep my distance from him. But he is so stubborn and reckless, and he makes me feel so…”

Safe. Important.A thousand different things. But she could not walk any closer to that edge without falling.

Sinclair set down his teacup on the table. Gently, he said, “Come here.”

Niamh approached him and settled onto the corner of the chaise longue. Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side. She did not offer any resistance, curling into him and resting her head against his shoulder. It felt greedy to accept comfort now of all times, but he seemed to want her near. She closed her eyes and listened to the steady beat of his heart.

“I don’t think you necessarily need to do anything right now,” he murmured against the top of her head, “except be careful. For the love of God. I mean it this time.”