Thirty
ADRIANA’S GRIP ON Lord Byron’s arm tightened.
He patted it gently and gave her a reassuring smile before leading her from his carriage toward the gallery for the opening night of the exhibition and sale of her paintings.
The fact that Henrietta followed at a discreet distance behind did nothing for her nerves, which had been on edge all evening.
“No, wait,” she said, pulling him to a stop before they began to climb the steps to the door. “I can’t do this. I can’t go in.”
“Of course you can. Don’t, please, don’t become missish now,” he said, sounding a little exasperated.
“No, I’m not, I just…”
“Miss Hayden, you are just nervous, that is all. But truly, everything will be fine.”
She pulled her hand away from his arm. “I’m not just nervous, my lord, I’m nauseous.” She turned b
