She would, wouldn’t she? He’d spend the rest of his life earning back her trust, if that’s what she wanted.
But to do that she’d have to be at his side.
And that was exactly where he wanted her.
“I have to get downstairs.”
Violet stirred and opened her eyes. Simon was already out of bed and shoving his arms into his jacket.
“You’re going to be exhausted today.” He’d come to her very late, and she doubted he’d slept more than half an hour. “I think the butler needs a day off,” she teased.
“Didn’t you say that my life line showed that I didn’t require much sleep?” Simon reminded her, holding up his hand for proof.
She couldn’t help but smile at that. “But not that you didn’t need any at all.”
Violet stretched and pushed herself to sit up, feeling twinges in places she’d forgotten existed. She needed to hold him one last time before he left. She needed to touch him, fully awake, and assure herself that it had not been a dream.
“Stay in bed, love,” he whispered, holding her gaze.
A light shined in the back of his dark eyes—a light that sent hope blossoming around her heart. She slid off the bed and moved into his arms.
After a leisurely kiss, she pulled away, straightening the collar around his neck and smoothing his hair. He’d come to her after all. He’d given her reassurances about Posy, listened to her complaints about Christopher, and then…
They had made love.
She’d told him she loved him, and he wasn’t running. He’d stayed to hold her afterward.
He hadn’t said the words back. Nor had he answered the questions about who he really was.
He stilled her hands and lifted her chin so he could stare into her eyes. “You’re going to have all your answers soon enough.” He was all seriousness now.
“Promise?”
“Trust me. You’ll understand soon, very soon. Can you trust me for now?”
She nodded. She loved him. What choice did she have?
He raised his timepiece for a quick glance. “I’d better go now, though, before Gwen comes knocking on the door with your tea.”
The sight of the gold in his hand shifted something inside her. “It’s a lovely watch. Where did you get it?”
A shadow seemed to cross his eyes. “My grandfather left it to my father. And my father left it to me.”
Violet stepped back, hugging her arms in front of her.
“Now go back to bed.” He leaned in, and she savored the taste of his kiss, not moving even after he closed the door behind him.
Because…
He had just lied to her.
The watch was the same one that had been sitting on the dressing table in the Duke of Blackheart’s chamber.
Her butler, she realized, was a thief.
She was in love with a thief!
Not a Ghost
