Zayne lay beside Iris, keeping her company while she stared up at the sky.
"Will you stay the night here?" Iris asked, not wanting to part just yet.
"I was considering it, but it's likely best I return home instead. We don't need rumours stirring up," said Zayne.
"How would it be scandalous when we wouldn't even be sharing a chamber? There'll be plenty said once it's known I used to work as your maid. You staying the night wouldn't make matters any worse," Iris said, hoping he would stay.
"The more you find yourself among high society, the more you'll learn how quickly others take the little they know and twist it until it is bigger. Look at what you told me about yourself and Damien. I won't give anyone the chance to claim I spoiled you," Zayne said, his jaw tightening at the thought.
"Once word gets out that I worked as your maid, they'll assume that's precisely how our courtship began. There's no escaping it," Iris said, thinking of everything Eloise had already endured.
