The windows glowed,

and piano music drifted out into the night. Natalie stopped and let out a wistful sigh.

“You are very lucky, you know.” She sounded serious again.

Garrett thought he’d misheard her for a moment. “Pardon?”

“I said you are really quite lucky.”

He had not misheard. “How is that?”

“If you were a woman and you acted with such disregard toward society”—she slanted him a sideways and disapproving glance—“as you have, there would be no second chances for you. A lady could never act as a rake and be forgiven.” She slipped his jacket off and handed it back to him. He looked down at the jacket, not sure what she expected him to do with it.

“Take it. I am fine now. I will enter through the back, and you may use the front door. It is best nobody knows we spent so much time together, alone.”

He took the jacket, not bothering to slip it back on. He just stood there dumbfounded, watching her. “Why would a lady wish to play the part of a rake?” he couldn’t help asking. Was she referring to herself?

The girlish sparkle disappeared from her eyes, and a bleak longing replaced it.