Dunstan held the door open wider and motioned her to leave. For a moment he thought she might refuse. With a quick look over her shoulder, the maid started through the door. Her eyes seemed to promise retribution if he harmed her mistress. "Louisa, would you mind if we left for the manor tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked, her back to the door as she sorted letters and invitations at her desk. "Louisa?" She put down the bunch she had in her hand and turned. "Dunstan!" She took a step or two backward and pulled her wrapper closer around her. Feeling the desk behind her, she turned her back, trembling slightly. He crossed the room slowly, feeling like an intruder. One trunk, its lid open, blocked his passage. Quickly he moved it out of his way, watching as Elizabeth reacted to the sound. Still she kept her back to him. When at last he was behind her, he stood only inches away, letting her feel his presence. Nowhere did he touch her. "Elizabeth, you cannot run from this forever. We must talk." "Talk?
