He laughed at that and took her hand. ‘And you look breathtakingly enchanting.’ He reached into one of his pockets and brought out a small decorated bottle.
‘This is for you.’
‘Perfume with gardenias.’ She clapped her hands.
‘I had one of my men ride across to Winchester today and source it for you because you said that you missed the fragrance.’
‘It is a perfect gift,’ she said as she unstoppered the bottle to dab the oil on her wrists and neck, holding out her arm for him to smell.
Then he shepherded her down the wide mahogany staircase into the dining room filled with candles and flowers.
‘Oh, it all looks so well put together. Did you ask for it to be like this?’
‘I did. Everyone helped to make it special for you. The gardener, the cook, the housekeeper and the younger kitchen maids. They all wanted to please you.’
‘And they have. I always imagined sitting down at a table dressed like this.’
‘Then allow me to see you to your seat.’ Pulling back one of the carved wooden dining chairs, he waited until she was comfortable and then took the chair next to her at the head of the table.
There was a bottle of wine standing before them and he poured two glasses, raising his own against hers.
‘To health, then,’ he said, ‘and to happiness. You are looking stronger each day.’
‘I am and it feels good to be sitting down here to eat a meal again and to be out of the sickroom. Are Oliver and Esther here at Elmsworth in the morning?’
‘They are.’
‘Will they stay the night?’
‘Probably not. I don’t think they are bringing their children over until they know you are recovered, so it’s most likely just them.’
‘I am so glad that you have resolved things with Oliver.’
‘I have you in part to thank for that, for you made me see the importance of family.’
Should I tell him my news now? she thought, but it seemed odd to stuff such a momentous truth in between the main course and the dessert and so she kept silent. She needed a moment between them that was…romantic to begin her confession, but so far their chat had been mostly of other people and different situations.
However, as they finished the last bite of a delicious lemon cake with clotted cream Phillip took her hand into his and the tone completely changed.
‘Would you consider coming to my room tonight, Willa, and not just to sleep?’
‘I would.’
His smile was dazzling as she laid a finger across his mouth. ‘Could we go up now?’
Now, before she lost both her chance and her courage.
She held on to his hand tightly all the way up the stairs and when he shepherded her through to his bedchamber she continued to hold it even after he shut the door.
How did one begin? she then thought wildly, taking in a breath to calm herself, but he was talking now and they were words that were most unexpected.
‘I do not want to lose you again, Wilhelmina. I always thought it was a physical relationship that I needed until I could not find you, and then I knew I wanted so much more. I know this will come as a shock, given your position on never wanting to be married, but I cannot imagine a life without you and in all honesty I am not sure I could survive such a thing.’
Tears filled her eyes.
‘I am trying to say that I love you, Wilhelmina, I love you so much that I am scared every moment we are apart.’
She moved close to him and wrapped her arms around his body.
