Philip shook his head without considering the question. “That’s a lovely thought, but Harry wouldn’t want to leave. And I wouldn’t ask it of him.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Wait a minute! I’m an idiot! Harry is one of Aurora’s agents, isn’t he?”
Philip glanced at my open door. “Not so loudly, thank you,” he whispered before grinning at me. “How do you think I got assigned as coachman on the day we met? Aurora recruited him years ago. And he loves it here, anyway. He basically grew up in the royal stables.”
I gaped at him. “I can’t believe you never told me!”
“I didn’t tell you because I was sworn to secrecy. I’ve told you every one of my own secrets—and I always will. But I can’t tell other people’s.”
My eyes narrowed. “Well if we’re talking about your secrets, why did you want to be a coachman that day anyway?”
His arms tightened, and a gleam sprang into his eyes. “I was here to investigate strange occurrences, and a royal ship suddenly springing a leak off the Arcadian coast seemed to qualify to me.”
I gave him a light shove with my shoulder. “You mean you’re incurably nosy and curious.” My eyes widened again. “There are more agents than just Harry, aren’t there? How many people around the palace were helping you? Is that how you got the key to the viscount’s mansion? And there I was, just about dying of fright, thinking we were both going to be arrested and locked away forever!”
I swatted at him, but he laughed and caught my hand.
“Would you like me to inform you next time our criminal activity is unlikely to result in dire consequences?”
I wrinkled my nose, considering the question. “You know, it would have been a great deal less thrilling if I’d known.”
He pulled me tight against him again. “That’s my girl,” he murmured.
I looked up at him. “I would have let you kiss me that night, if you’d tried, you know.”
“Let me make up for it now then.” He pressed a warm kiss down on my lips. “If you like I can tell you the many other times I nearly kissed you, and we can make up for all of them?”
His eyes twinkled down at me.
“I think that sounds like an excellent idea,” I said.
“We can start with one minute ago.”
“But you did kiss me one minute ago,” I protested.
“Yes,” he said gravely, “but I would have liked to kiss you twice.”
So he did.