“It is rather pathetic,” Kit admitted. “I’ve heard the fountains in Italy gush water.”
Rose shifted both her shoes to one hand. “I can see why Charles is putting his discarded mistress out here—I imagine he rarely visits this garden himself.”
“I’d wager he does,” he disagreed. “He needs places all his own, whether beautiful or not. The poor man cannot even dine or dress without people watching.”
Rose had never thought of the king as poor, but she supposed Kit had a point. Court etiquette could be tedious, she thought through a yawn.
“It’s morning,” she suddenly realized. “We’ve been up all night.”
“I’m used to it,” Kit muttered.
“I’m not. Do you know, I’ve only stayed up all night once before, and I was with you then, too—the night we deciphered Rand’s brother’s diary. You’re a bad influence,” she accused with a weary smile.
“You can sleep today. God knows nothing happens at Hampton Court while the sun shines. For the court, anyway. My crew will be arriving any minute, though; we’d best leave before we’re discovered.”
He put a hand to her back, guiding her toward the gate, and Rose realized it was the first time he’d touched her since they’d laughed in Cloister Green Court. They’d passed the long hours of the night working and talking. He hadn’t tried to kiss her even once, let alone found an excuse for a furtive caress.
Apparently he’d accepted her refusal of his proposal. Which was a good thing, she told herself firmly. She was grateful to retain his friendship, and it was easier this way, because it would be hard to keep saying no.
But she was unaccountably sad at the thought of never kissing him again.
Walter was no longer at the gate; an older guard nodded as they passed though. No sooner had they rounded the corner of the building than they heard masculine voices and the stomp of boots.
“The workmen.” Kit grabbed her hand. “We cannot let them see us.” With that, he began running along the perimeter of the palace, pulling her along with him.
She dropped one of her shoes. “Wait!”
“We’ll return for it!” he said without slowing.
By the time they rounded another corner and skidded to a stop, they were both huffing and puffing. When he released her hand, she felt a loss. “Safe,” he declared with a breathless laugh. “I don’t think they saw us.”
Her chest was heaving, and she noticed him noticing. “Whyever does it matter?”
His gaze returned to her face. “If one of them is sabotaging this project, I don’t want him to know I’m investigating. They’ll all be hard at work in a few minutes. Then we can sneak into the palace.”
“Like spies,” she said with a smile, wishing he was still touching her.
“Like spies.” He grinned, glancing around the extensive public gardens. “In the meantime, I’ve been hankering to check out the maze.”
“Not the maze,” she said with a groan. “I despise mazes. I always get lost.”
“If you know the left-hand rule, it’s impossible to get lost.”
“How is that?”
“I’ll show you. We won’t get lost.” Apparently noting her skeptical expression, he took her hand again and began walking. “Besides, I reckon I can make it fun to get lost.”
Something had changed in the quality of his voice, something that made bubbles start pinging in Rose’s stomach. The grass felt cool and springy beneath her stockinged feet. “I missed the gaming again,” she realized.
“I’m sorry,” he said, not sounding at all sincere.
“I thought it would be fun if I could win enough for a new gown.”
“At court?” He chuckled. “A gown is a mere pittance. Word has it the Duchess Mazarin lost ten thousand last week on a single bet.”
“Ten thousand pounds?”
He nodded. “Pounds.”
“That’s my whole inheritance!” Perhaps it was just as well that she’d missed the gaming. “I’ve got better things to do with my money.”
“You have big plans for it, then?”
“Unlike my dowry, it’s mine. It won’t belong to my husband.”
He slanted her a glance. “I’m not in need of it. I cannot speak for the duke.”
The thought startled her. The truth was, she had no idea whether the duke was in need of funds or not. He dressed richly and had given her diamond earrings, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. For all she knew, he could owe his tailor and jeweler a fortune.
“Well, he won’t be getting it,” she said.
“I admire your conviction. What do you plan to do with it?”
“Maybe I’ll give it to Ellen,” she said with a sly smile, “so she and Thomas can move their pawnshop to London.”
“Be serious.”
“Is this more of the getting-to-know-each-other game?”
They’d come to the entrance of the maze. “Tell me,” he said softly.
Her sisters had both nurtured dreams since childhood: Violet wanted to publish a philosophy book, and Lily wished to build and staff a home for stray animals. But in truth, Rose had never made such high-minded plans. She’d only ever hoped to find love and be happy.
She’d just never dreamed that goal would prove so difficult.
“I want to travel,” she said. “I wish to see the world.”
“Travel can be fascinating, but it can also be tiring and tedious. Does the duke enjoy it?”
She had no idea. In fact, she realized now, she knew little of the duke at all. They’d never had a serious conversation, never shared a confidence, never discussed likes, dislikes, values—or much of anything at all.
But she’d spent hours talking to Kit, about anything and everything. They’d become friends before she ever kissed him. She knew he wanted to travel, to Italy and elsewhere.
“Let’s go inside,” she said. “I’d have you show me this left-hand rule.”
The look he gave her made it clear he knew she was avoiding his question. But he took her remaining shoe and set it down with his own things, then led her inside the tall hedge maze.
“Put your left hand on the wall as we walk,” he instructed. “And leave it there. Just follow that left
