holding me, as always. “There’s only one woman in my future. There’s no reason why I should ever want anyone else,” he said earnestly. “You’re everything I ever looked for in a woman, and I’m so fortunate I can have you to myself for as long as I take care of you and love you. If you believe nothing else, believe that.”

I was taken aback by the sincerity of his reply, and his lack of any kind of flattery or humour. I had to believe he really meant it, and put my trust in him. Today, he’d told me more than he’d told anyone else. I knew it, by the halting way he’d spoken, and by the total sincerity and lack of guile.

I answered in the same way, with sincerity, without flummery. “I’ll love you anyway. I don’t know what happened to me on that road in the dirt, but my world moved into yours then. Even if you had turned me away, married Miss Cartwright, produced your heirs, I would have loved you.”

He stood up from his side of the table then and drew me into his arms. He held me close so I could feel the warmth of his body underneath those fabulous clothes. After a moment he slid his hand up under my hair at the back and kissed me for a long time. I returned it, savouring the warmth, the love I found only with him. “Two weeks.”

“Two weeks,” I repeated, smiling.

It was some time before we sat down, and then we knew we would have to join the world again soon. I was so grateful to him, he had told so much and had been so honest with me, so much so I wished I had a secret to tell him, but my life had always been open and tedious in the extreme. There was one thing I wanted to tackle before we left the room. “Richard, do you really wish to retire?”

“I’d like to devote more time to you than I could if Thompson’s was still running its extra services,” he replied.

“What if I helped?”

He shook his head. “There’s no need.”

But I started to see this as something else, something for me. “Does it make you happy, when you help with these problems, have that sort of power?”

He studied my face, and then sighed. “You know me too well already, love. Yes, it gave me a kind of contentment, a fulfilment.”

“I would hate to take that from you. And it sounds so exciting, I should love to help. Just don’t say you’ll retire immediately, please.”

He smiled. “If you insist, I’ll leave it open, but I’ll not make any promises.”

I would get no more out of him that day. He looked tired, probably from revealing so much of himself, more than he’d done for years. I left him on a sofa by the fire, and went to the harpsichord. I found my music and I played for him, deliberately choosing the pieces I knew best, so he wouldn’t have to come and turn pages for me, or do anything else except sit back with his eyes closed and relax. As I played, I glanced at him. I thought the cloud lifted from him, and I was thankful I could do something for him, that I had a gift to bestow.

Soon the magic took hold of me, and I felt the protective cocoon fold around me, the shield music always gave to me, and yet I still felt his presence. He was inside with me. Just with me.

The door opened once or twice, but people tended to look in and go away again, when they saw us so tranquil. It couldn’t go on forever. I knew it after I heard the doorknocker sound.

Soon, a maid came in to inform us the Terrys had called, and Martha would appreciate it if I came to the drawing room. Richard opened his eyes and smiled when his eyes met mine. I got up, closed the lid and went to him.

Before we left the room he pulled me against him once more for a kiss, not as sweet as last time, an edge of passion to it. I responded, though the need made me ache. Whatever was I turning into?

I turned to leave, but he drew me against him, one arm around my waist. He kissed my neck. “May I come to you tonight?”

“What?” I almost turned to face him, but his arms held me tightly.

“Please?” Did I imagine the edge of desperation to his voice? If so it only echoed mine.

“How can we?”

“Easily. I’m only a few doors away.”

“Won’t someone hear?”

“Not if we’re quiet. Rose, I’ve never needed anyone like I need you. I’d be happy—well, happier—” He gave a derisive laugh. “If I could hold you, be with you.”

“You are, for most of the day.”

He nuzzled my ear and murmured, “Skin to skin, my love. Touching, kissing, holding. Loving.”

What could I say against that, especially when I needed it too? “Yes.”

“Later, sweetheart, later.” It was a promise.

We went together to the drawing room. Richard took the little box and gave it into Carier’s hands in the hall. “Five of us know for sure now, Carier.”

The manservant nodded and bowed. “That is as it should be, my lord,” he said and took the box away. I took this as approval from him, and although this kind of comment would not normally be expected from a servant, I knew Carier was much more than that to Lord Strang.

 

We went upstairs to the drawing room.