'Are you going to join the others or shall I send for a tray and you eat it here?'
'The tray, please, I'm not ready to lock horns with your sister.'
James was about to do his usual thing of opening the study door and yelling for attention but decided those days were over. He had to consider the feelings of the others, try and behave as the head of the household should.
The footman answered his summons immediately and James gave his order. The tray was already on his desk by the time Sofia emerged. Somehow, she'd managed to arrange her own hair and it looked exactly as it should.
'Excellent, I see we've got coffee and lemonade. I'll drink both.'
She was relaxed, he wasn't, as if falling asleep under his desk with his dogs and then being carried by himself into his secret sanctum was an everyday occurrence.
Not wishing her to feel awkward about eating alone, he helped himself to cold cuts, pickle and freshly baked bread. They munched companionably and he smiled as he noticed that, like him, she was surreptitiously handing tid-bits to each of his dogs in turn.
'There, I'm replete. I don't know why, James, but food tastes so much better when you're hungry. Is there any more coffee in that jug?'
'Enough for one last cup each, but I can send for more.'
She shook her head. 'I expect you're wondering why I was sleeping under your desk with your dogs.'
'I didn't like to ask the reason, but I must admit that I'm intrigued.' He wanted to say that if anyone else had walked in would have been the end of her reputation. She'd have been thought of as unbalanced at the very least. However, he restrained himself, he'd no intention of upsetting her a second time.
'You must think I've bats in the attic to have done such a thing.' She looked at him as if as bemused by her actions as he was.
'I just thought I'd spend a few minutes with the dogs before I left your study. I'd no intention of falling asleep, it just happened.'
'Next time, my dear, I suggest that you sit on the sofa and call the dogs to you. It will be far more comfortable than sleeping on the floor.'
She ignored his comment. 'Thank you for carrying me into your hidden room. But I thank you even more sincerely for providing me with the wherewithal to restore my appearance.'
'The room that my mother used, the one attached to my own bedchamber, has been left intact since she died almost thirty years ago. I knew exactly where to find what you needed.'
*
Sofia was finding their discussion more unsettling than when they were at daggers drawn. There was something different about him, he appeared relaxed but she sensed tension in him. Had he not forgiven her for her outrageous suggestion? Was it that she'd behaved like a child not a woman grown by sleeping with his dogs?
'What's wrong, James? You seem different and it's making me nervous.'
'Devil take it, I can't do this.'
He shot to his feet and began to stride up and down the room. Sofia wasn't sure if she should ask what it was he couldn't take or wait for him to tell her. She was also on her feet and watching him but remained out of his way.
Then, before she could properly prepare herself, he was beside her, his arms around her and she could hardly breathe.
'I love you, Sofia. I can't pretend otherwise. I intend to marry you; I can't live happily without you.'
'I think that I might be beginning to reciprocate your feelings.'
They were the last words she spoke for several extraordinary, exhilarating, ecstatic minutes. Eventually, he raised his head. There was a hectic flush across his cheek bones, his heart was thundering as was hers. His eyes blazed with happiness.
Her lips were tingling, and her bosom was trying to escape from its bodice.
'I shouldn't have done that, my love, when you said you loved me too, I had to kiss you.'
'I said I might be falling in love with you, but I think what just happened has made my feelings irrelevant. I've no choice but to marry you.'
'Exactly so, “might be in love with me” will have to do for the moment. I intend to spend every minute between now and our nuptials in September persuading you to love me fully.'
She sighed, closed the distance between them and rested her cheek against his waistcoat. This time his arms were gentle and she leaned into his strength, his warmth and thought that whatever her reservations she would be mad not to marry him.
