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in the air between us. His composure was back in moments. “My lady, this isn’t a game. You have no business here! I was supposed to get Ada.”
    â€œAnd I’m telling you, she’s long gone. I gave her some money and sent her on her way. She’ll be happily milking cows in no time.” My words were bold—impertinent, as Jasper would no doubt say—but inside, I was panicked. Cedric had covered for me in Osfro, but this wasn’t over yet. “I helped you by coming here. Ada would’ve probably bolted on her own. Wouldn’t you have gotten in trouble for showing up short a girl?”
    â€œDo you know how much trouble I’ll get in for smuggling away a countess? They’ll imprison me! Presuming your husband-to-be doesn’t just kill me himself.” Seeing my surprise, he said, “Yes, I know about your engagement, my lady. I read the society papers.”
    â€œThen you should know you’re in no real danger from Lionel. He’s not the violent type—unless you’re an itch.”
    â€œDo you think my future’s a joke? Is all of this a joke to you?”
    I met his gaze, looking unblinkingly into those gray-blue eyes. “Actually, this is anything but a joke. This is my future too. My chance to be free and make my own choices.”
    He shook his head. “You don’t realize what you’ve done—what you may have cost me. I have so much depending on this, more than you can know.”
    â€œI haven’t cost you anything. Help me with this—don’t betray me, and I’ll owe you a favor.” I caught hold of his sleeve. “Haven’t you ever known something in your heart, known you needed to do something or be somewhere? That’s how this is for me. I
need
to do this. Help me, and I swear, I’ll make it up to you some day.”
    A fleeting smile played over his lips. “The Countess of Rothford could have done a lot more for me than a simple girl bound for Adoria.”
    â€œYou’d be surprised. The Countess of Rothford couldn’t do much for herself, let alone anyone else.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “And don’t assume I’m simple.”
    He made no response and instead studied me for a long time. We were in very close quarters, which gave that scrutiny a disconcertingly intimate feel. “This will be harder than you think,” he said at last.
    â€œI doubt it,” I said, putting my hands on my hips. “All those things you’re teaching the other girls? I already know them. I could teach classes in this place.”
    â€œYes. That’s exactly the problem. You know too much. Your manners, your diction—even your hair.”
    â€œI wish everyone would stop talking about my hair,” I muttered.
    â€œYou stand out, my lady. This is a world you don’t understand—whereyou can’t wield the privilege you’ve known. Where your title won’t get you access or even let you be taken seriously in some places. And there are plenty of things the other girls know that you don’t. Can you start a fire in the hearth? Can you even dress yourself?”
    â€œI put this on myself,” I told him. “I mean, the buttons took a little figuring out, but I eventually did it.”
    He looked like he was on the verge of rolling his eyes. “My lady, you have no idea what—”
    â€œAdelaide,” I corrected. “If we’re going to pull this off, you must call me that. No more titles.”
    â€œWell, then,
Adelaide
, let me give you some advice. Don’t be too good at anything—you don’t want to attract extra attention. Think twice before you correct someone, even if it’s Clara.” His tone as he said her name made me think he hadn’t actually minded my putting her in her place. “And above all, watch the other girls. Watch their mannerisms. Listen to the way they talk. Every