Page 56 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

I crossed my arms.

“Good grief, woman,” he snapped. “What do you want? A blood oath?”

“It would be a start.”

The corner of his mouth quivered. “If you must know,” he said, “I came to get you a present.”

“What?” I was totally wrong-footed by that. Especially when he held out a parcel wrapped in brown paper. “You’ve already given me too much,” I said quickly.

“That was for Serena Fox,” he replied. “This one is for Iris Grey.”

He was still holding out the parcel and so I took it from him.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, with a distinct lack of grace.

Nick shrugged, and for a moment he looked awkward. It was not something I had observed before. “About last night…” he began.

I waved my hand. “You were right,” I said. “I’m your employee, you owe me no explanation for your actions.”

“I—” He raked a hand through his hair. “That is… It’s not—” Finally, he let out a sound that was suspiciously like a growl.

“Well put,” I murmured.

He glared at me, took a deep breath. “What I came here to do is important,” he said finally. “I can’t afford to make a mistake. However,” he said lifting a finger, “I didn’t mean to be so abrupt last night. I hope that we can continue to work together … as colleagues.”

“Colleagues?” I repeated.

He nodded tersely.

I frowned down at the parcel that I was holding. “Very well,” I agreed, holding out my hand. “Colleagues.”

I thought that a look of relief flitted across his face and then he took my hand in his own, shaking it firmly. I tried not to pay attention to the tingles shooting up and down my fingers where he held them. It didn’t feel like something that a colleague would dwell upon.

“Hello.” Cassie’s voice came from behind me. I saw Nick’s usual look of sleepy amusement fall across his face, like a curtain at the end of a performance.

“Cassie!” I said, turning. “I ran into Lord Wynter.”

“I can see that,” Cassie said, clearly trying to hide a smile. “How convenient.”

I felt the colour rise to my cheeks. She thought we had arranged some sort of secret meeting.

It was then that I realized I was still holding Nick’s hand.

My blush deepened and I dropped it. Nick’s eyes gleamed and I could tell he was enjoying my discomfort.

“Ladies.” He nodded. “I believe that is my cue to leave.”

Cassie and I watched him go.

“So…” She raised her eyebrows. “Is there something going on with the two of you? The others all said so – they said they had never seen Lord Wynter so taken with someone – but I wasn’t sure if it was just gossip.”

“I – no – I…” It was my turn to stutter. I had no idea what to say. Would it help or hinder the plan if Cassie thought she had interrupted something?

“Don’t worry about me,” she said airily. “I don’t gossip with anyone.”

I settled for silence, which seemed to answer Cassie’s question anyway.

“Will you like being married, do you think?” Cassie asked.