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Maybe this thing between them would work itself out…

Once in the ballroom, Caldwell led Elise to the center of the room and guided her in a waltz. But after the first few moves, Elise collided with his chest, almost falling on her backside. Only her uncle’s strong hands managed to keep her upright.

“See?” Robbie said with that particular note of sibling satisfaction at being proven correct. “You can’t even do your part right.”

“How about you show us how it’s done?” Elise retorted.

“I can’t. I never said I could. You said you could, but you can’t either.”

With a huff, Elise disengaged from her uncle and went to sit at the piano. “Perhaps you should show us with Miss Hartwell,” she said, her tone stiffly formal. “I shall accompany you.”

It was clear Elise was still angry at Honoria—she hadn’t spoken directly to her since the night Honoria told her she planned to leave.

“Do you know how to waltz, Nory?” Robbie asked.

“Yes, show us,” Rosie chimed in, swaying as if she were waltzing herself.

“I haven’t danced in a while,” Honoria hesitated, but seeing the children’s eager faces, she couldn’t say no. “Very well, let’s attempt to dance.”

She felt Caldwell’s eyes on her as she approached, the weight of his gaze almost tangible in the quiet room.

Elise pressed the first keys, and Honoria walked into the circle of Caldwell’s arms. As they began to dance, his hand warm at her waist, hers trembling slightly on his shoulder, Honoria felt like she was floating.

It felt so right to be in his arms, dancing, feeling his touch. His eyes bored into hers with a startling intensity, and she was ready to drown in those dark, devilish depths.

The tension between them crackled like lightning before a storm, charged and dangerous and thrilling.

Whether she was dancing in his arms, standing by his side, or kissing his lips, it felt like this was what she had been meant to do since forever.

This was where she belonged.

She was in love with this man. And just like all the previous thoughts, this one also felt right.

He stopped abruptly, causing her to stumble against his chest, his arms instinctively tightening around her to prevent her from falling. She looked up at him, their faces inches apart, and for a moment, she thought he might kiss her again, right there in front of the children.

Instead, he turned to the children who had gone strangely quiet, their gazes glued to their guardian and the housekeeper. Something in their expressions—curiosity, confusion, perhaps even understanding—made Honoria step back, smoothing her hands down her skirts unnecessarily.

“Is that sufficient?” Caldwell asked, his voice slightly higher than usual. “Good,” he said at the children’s nods and turned to walk away.

“Wait.” Honoria stopped him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm briefly before falling away.

He turned, a question in his eyes.

“Actually, since you’re all here… I’d like to say that my departure has been postponed.” She paused, drawing a breath, then remembering that Rosie was behind her, turned to face her, so she could see her lips as she spoke. “Indefinitely. I will not be leaving this household anytime soon.”

Rosie frowned, concentrating on her words, then asked. “You’re staying?”

Honoria nodded. “Yes.”

The words hung in the air. Then, after a beat, Robbie and Rosie erupted into cheers. “Hip, hip, hooray!” They danced and hopped in celebration.

Elise, however, had a blank expression. Her eyes flicked between Honoria and Caldwell, her thoughtful frown deepening. Then she turned and walked away without a word.

“Right. Fabulous,” the earl said, although his tone didn’t match the sentiment. A crease formed between his brows. “Glad to have you back.”

He followed Elise’s exit without another word or glance.

Honoria stood frozen, surrounded by the two celebrating children, a confused heaviness settling in her chest. The joy of her decision to stay was now shadowed by doubt.