'Then thank God he didn't. Don't dither in the doorway, my love, I wish to speak to your mother and make this betrothal official.'
He bundled her out of the door and closed it firmly behind them. Then he put his arm around her waist, making his claim very clear to the two women fetching water from the well in the centre of the square. Señora Rodriquez might have shown no disapproval but these two had pursed their lips and she heard them muttering. She was certain they had called her wanton and little better than a light skirt.
His arm tightened. 'Ignore them, darling, their opinion is irrelevant.'
Her face was burning, her joy vanishing with every step she took. She had been foolish to think she could behave in such a scandalous manner, tear her precious reputation to shreds, and still walk proudly around the village as if nothing had happened.
The door opened before they reached it but her mother had retreated to the parlour and was waiting there for them.
'Let me speak to her first, I don't want you to be given a bear-garden jaw for something that wasn't your fault.'
They were now safely inside. 'I came to you, you sent me away but I returned. How could it possibly be anyone's fault but my own?'
'You were an innocent, I am a gentleman. I should have had the strength of character to insist you left and waited until we were married before taking you to my bed.'
She stretched up and kissed him. 'Fiddlesticks to that! I don't regret what happened for a minute. I love you and I know that you return my feelings. Whatever we've heard, it could possibly be years before the priest comes – would you have been prepared to wait that long?'
'I would have preferred it if you had, Sofia, but one cannot unbreak an egg. However, I am mortified that you did not return more discreetly.' Her mother spoke from behind them. 'Perry, I think we need to talk. Daughter, make yourself useful and prepare breakfast.'
'No, darling, I'll not have you sent away as if you are of no account. Madam, I have no wish to converse in the passageway. Shall we repair to the parlour?'
She had never heard him speak so authoritatively. Somehow, knowing that he was an aristocrat had made him more formidable. A flicker of unease ran through her. She had committed the rest of her life to this man and yet she didn't know his true character at all. Had she made a catastrophic error?
'I would prefer it if you spoke to my mother alone.' She stepped away from him and walked away to do her morning chores as usual, as if her life wasn't changed forever.
