and even if his confessions were gained through falsehood, the burden of silence had lifted for a time.
And in the privacy of his thoughts, Finch could admit that his desire to attend tonight had little to do with needing a distraction; there was little to be found when the source of his anguish danced before him. No, when the pain of betrayal and shame eased, a new clarity came with it: Finch had nothing to offer a lady like Miss Barrows. But he needed to see her.
For this last time, if nothing else.
“It is better if I keep my distance,” mumbled Finch.
Simon scoffed. “With the dour looks you’re both giving to the assembly, I find that difficult to believe.”
Finch’s brows drew together, and he cast a glance at Miss Barrows, who moved through the dance steps with a light heart, meeting each movement with a smile. Perhaps there was a tightness to her expression, but she chatted with her usual animation. No doubt the fellow had far more interesting things to say than anything Finch could manage.
“Miss Barrows is in fine spirits,” Finch said with some reluctance. Not that he wished for her to suffer, but it was painful to admit that she was so unaffected by what had passed between them.
Mina’s brows rose at that, and Simon scowled, turning to his wife and whispering sotto voce, “Was I this infuriatingly blind?”
“Hush,” she repeated with a narrowed look at her husband, though she added, “but yes, you were, Simon. More so in some regards.”
Then, turning to Finch, she said, “If you believe Miss Barrows is in fine spirits and pleased with her partners, you are not very observant.”
With a true frown, Finch turned his gaze to the lady in question, but before he could give more than a cursory glance, Simon spoke.
“And so, rather than mending the rift between you two or hiding away in Avebury Park to lick your wounds, you choose to spend your evening torturing yourself by watching her from afar?”
Finch felt like growling. The subject of Miss Barrows had been avoided for a good many days, but apparently, the Kingsleys had only been lying in wait for the proper moment to spring the discussion on him. Perhaps they’d thought the assembly was the perfect moment for him to resolve all the issues of the past and dance off into everlasting happiness with Miss Barrows.
How little they knew.
“Does this have to do with your money troubles?” asked Simon while Mina sent another look of reproof at her husband.
Finch gaped. Though he tried to control the shock coursing through him, Simon’s question was too sudden and unexpected to be met with anything but wide-eyed surprise.
“I am your closest friend, Finch,” said Simon with a wry smile. “I know I am oblivious at times, but I’m not so dense as to overlook such a significant detail.”
“I…” Finch’s words drifted into nothingness as he stared at the fellow.
Simon chuckled and shook his head. “Do you truly believe I went to all the expense and effort of maintaining a box at the opera because I adore it so very much? Especially when I do not spend much time in London?”
Finch straightened while blinking and gaping like a landed carp.
“You seemed so intent on keeping your secret that I didn’t want to press the issue,” said Simon, lifting one shoulder in a shrug. “But that does not mean I am ignorant of it. And Miss Barrows—”
“Please, Simon,” said Finch, holding up a hand. “I do not wish to speak of her.”
“But she cares for you as you do her—”
Mina tugged on her husband’s arm, pulling him towards the dance floor. “Stop pestering him, dearest, and dance with me.”
“But he’s being a fool—”
With a challenging raise of her brows, Mina silenced Simon and turned back to Finch, giving him a warm smile that held a tinge of sadness. “We will not pester you any further, but if you wish to speak, Simon and I would welcome your confidence.”
Finch gave her a bow. “My thanks.”
With a final considering look, Mina led Simon onto the dance floor.
Talking. What good would it do? What good had it ever done? His life was his life, and no amount of negotiating or conversing had changed the course of it. Words had done nothing to convince his father or to gain the respect of his superiors. A lifetime of experience had trained Finch to remain mute.
Except with her.
Tucking his hands behind him, Finch pinched his lips together, his gaze