“I literally produce TV for a living. Believe me, it’ll work.”
“Then I’m in.”
He hadn’t hesitated for a second. All the air seemed to leave my chest. My eyes began to sting. I threw my body around his and kissed him like I’d never kissed anyone in my life.
“Golly,” he said as my lips left his. “I’m dizzy. What was that for?”
“For believing in me.”
William’s eyes searched my face, and I knew he understood.
“Why don’t we hold the re-enactment on the same day as your father’s car club visit?” he said. “It’ll look great on camera. I know it’ll impress your parents.”
“How?”
“Let Edward and Angelica see you doing what you do,” he said, “because you are magnificent to watch when you’re in the zone. It’ll knock their socks off. I know it will.”
My chest hollowed again. “You really think so?”
“I do.”
I pulled him into another kiss—even more passionate than the last.
“Gosh, that was a real loin-stirrer. What was that one for?”
“For being you. For loving me.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the message William had left me.
“You found my note?”
“I did.”
“I hope I spelt all the kisses right.”
The rain started to fall then—heavily, steadily. The house across the water disappeared behind a misty grey curtain.
“We’re going to have to wait this out,” he said, starting to unbutton my boiler suit.
My hand snaked down inside his waistband. “However will we fill the time, my lord?”
“I have one or two ideas.”
We lay there in the afterglow, the rain still falling around us. Absently, I played with the ring on William’s necklace.
“Why don’t you wear this?”
William tensed. “Because it’s not mine.”
“Was it your dad’s?”
He nodded. “And his father’s before him. It’s worn by the baron.”
“Aren’t you the baron?”
William stared up at the stone ceiling. “I don’t feel entitled to wear it. I haven’t earned it.”
I pulled back to look at him properly. “I think you’ve fundamentally misunderstood how inherited privilege works in this country. Someone dies, you win the lottery. That’s the whole point.”
