“It’s all right,” she replied, without taking her eyes off Samuel’s face, “I’m just trying to make him understand that I have to go home now.”
Smiling, she took her hand from his, pushed her chair back, and stood. Samuel’s gaze remained fixed on her.
“I’ll visit again soon.” She drew a cross over her heart. “I promise.”
He blinked but said nothing.
“All right, Louisa.” Charles moved into the room. “Just step quietly away.”
Louisa scowled at the two men. “You’re both behaving as though I’m in some kind of danger, which is ridiculous. Samuel would never hurt me. He’s incapable of—”
Samuel’s chair scraped back as he got to his feet and held out a hand, which trembled as before.
Louisa heard Maxwell’s sharp intake of breath. “Louisa!”
“Stay calm,” Charles muttered.
“Unlike the two of you, I’m extremely calm.” Smiling, Louisa reached out to take Samuel’s hand. “He’s saying goodbye to me, that’s all.”
Still holding his hand, she moved to his side, lifted up on her toes, and kissed his cheek. “Gray,” he murmured, so quietly Louisa doubted the others even heard it.
“Till the next time, my friend.” Releasing his hand, she stepped back. “Thank you for today.”
Samuel stood still for a moment, watching her. Only her. Then he blinked, turned away, and sat down again.
“Remarkable,” Jane said, fanning herself as they wandered out into the corridor. “Quite remarkable.”
“Indeed.” Charles shook his head. “Not what I expected at all. Quite different to his last reaction.”
Louisa looked back to see Samuel seated, unmoving, at the table. A haunting sense of loneliness crept into her heart, as if she could feel exactly what he felt. It was profound, the way he affected her. “With respect, Charles, perhaps you expect too little of him.” Moving on, she looped her arm through Maxwell’s. “Itend to believe, with more encouragement and interaction, he’d begin to awaken from his silence.”
Charles looked dubious. “I’m not sure I agree. And if so, it would take a tremendous amount of time and dedication. He has no family, and I know of no one who would be able or willing to devote that much time. Besides, he’s never shown any real interest in anyone but you, Louisa. He’s captivated by you, it seems.”
“He’s not the only one, damn it,” Maxwell muttered.
Louisa laughed. “Then I shall just have to visit him as often as I can.”
Chapter Twenty
It was Saturday,the sixth day of September. Late afternoon sunlight slanted through Louisa’s bedroom windows, its mellow glow hinting that summer was drawing gently to a close. A memorable summer, in so many ways.
Thus far, it had also been a memorable day. A day that had, apparently, been marked on Maxwell’s calendar since before their marriage, prompted by his initial enquiry into her birthstone. He might have forgotten about Uncle Isaac’s birthday, but it seemed he had not forgotten about hers.
That morning, Louisa had awoken in Maxwell’s arms; always a rare occurrence given his penchant for sleeplessness. They had made love in the soft light of dawn, and then taken breakfast on the terrace, serenaded by birdsong and the cascade of the fountain.
Mid-morning, they had gone for a ride together and had a light luncheon in the village inn. Upon returning home, and with Maxwell ensconced in his office for a few hours, Louisa had brought her journal up to date before settling down to read.
Now, freshly bathed, hair styled, and clad in a silkpeignoir, she sat at her dressing table and opened the lid of her jewelry box, seeking a suitable pair of earrings before dressing for the evening event. At that same moment, Maxwell emerged from his bedroom. “Close your eyes, Mrs. Harlow.”
Louisa regarded her husband’s approach in her mirror, her heart quickening at the sight. He, too, had been readying himself for the evening ahead, though he had not yet donned his coat. Still, he cut a fine figure. The blue silk of his waistcoat enhanced the rich blackness of his hair and contrasted magnificently with his starched white shirt. His tailored, slate-gray trousers fit perfectly across his hips and tapered impeccably over thigh and calf. The citrusy smell of bergamot drifted into her nostrils, the tang of it subdued by subtle hints of sandalwood.
“You look deliciously handsome, Mr. Harlow. You smell rather heavenly as well.” Unabashedly, Louisa gaze drifted to the fall of his trousers. “Do you think my parents would be disappointed if we didn’t show up this evening?”
A slow smile appeared as he moved to stand behind her. “What else do you have in mind?”
As if he didn’t know! “Well, it isn’t a game of dominoes.”
“Hmm. Tempting. But I think your parents would be disappointed if Finlay was the only one to show up for your birthday dinner. However, I shall definitely look forward tonotplaying dominoes later tonight. Now, do as you’re told and close your eyes. I’ve been waiting all day for this.”
