By dawn when he awoke and recounted all this in his mind, he considered the view out their little window. The sky was still full of snowflakes. His arms were still full of her. And his heart was full with gratitude she was no harpy who wished to argue with him. Nor had she sent him away.
He’d kept her warm and she, him. It was a new beginning.
* * *
He rose the second morning of their seclusion and noted that the snowfall was abating. By tomorrow, if the snow did not pack tightly and freeze, they might be able to leave here. He had little time to make his case.
That morning, at a breakfast of coffee, prunes and rich dark bread, she asked him to tell her about his trips to St. Petersburg. Like a child eager for a story, she sat upon their bed, her knees up, in her stocking feet and listened to his tales. “Is Alexander handsome, truly?”
“I suppose you might say he is. I am no connoisseur of men.”
She challenged him with a look. “You know a beautiful woman when you see her.”
He lifted his mug in honor of her. “I do.”
“Rogue. Tell me about the Russian troops. Are they vulgar?”
“Is that what you’ve read?”
“It’s what people say. Are they?”
“In appearance they are hulking creatures. But as diplomatic as the French. As haughty, too.”
She chuckled. Then sobered. “Will we have peace?”
“For a long time.”
She hugged her knees closer and smiled. “A good thing. We can devote ourselves to growing cattle and feeding our people. Helping our soldiers and raising our orphans.”
“I’d like to help you with your orphanage.”
“I’d welcome that.”
“What do you need first?”
Her dark brown eyes gleamed with gratitude. “Clothes. Teachers.”
“You shall have them. Shall we say, after we return to London?”
“Thank you, Theo.”
“You are very welcome, my dear.”
“Are we,” she said with a grin, “going back to London?”
“Together, yes.We are. Soon I’d say. The snow stops.”
“What will thetonsay?”
“They’ll say that it’s clear the Marquess of Tain bears an affection for Lady Goddard.” He noted she accepted that without argument.Thank god.“What willyousay?”
“That Lady Goddard loves the Marquess of Tain more today than she ever did.”
Wishing he could sweep her up in his arms and kiss her, he nailed himself to the bench. “And will the lady marry him?”
She cast her face toward the window. “She wishes she might give the marquess everything he desired.”
“He desires only her. Just her. Always her.”
