"Oh, no." Fifi stepped toward the door.
Rory caught her arm. "They must resolve this themselves."
"I would not hurt her for the world. Not him either."
"I know. But your presence now won't help them. Wait."
"This is awful. I began to think this afternoon that what happened at this party was a new beginning for Esme, Diana, me...and you!"
He cupped her cherubic face. "It is for you and me. I know nothing of what's happened for your friends, but you and I have found each other. We'll have the rest of our days together."
Hopelessness dimmed the blue of her eyes. "I want to believe that."
She had a fatalism to her nature that he wished he might help banish. Her humor, her strength of character were the assets that he valued and wanted to encourage in her. And he had to do that now, tonight, before the pain in her gaze overtook every lovely part of her. He took her lips and branded upon them his hopes for all their tomorrows. When he opened his eyes again, she swayed in his embrace. God willing, he'd keep her enchanted all the days of her life. "I will prove it."
