“I shall now make use of one of the rooms you have above, which are always prepared for unexpected guests because you have an excellent staff, and tomorrow we shall visit Covent Garden.”
Blythe blinked at her friend. “Why?”
“The market,” Elizabeth answered. “I plan on purchasing as many flowers as possible then take them back with me to Matron Manor where their sweet fragrances will fill every common room.”
If only she could view matters as simply as Elizabeth, deal with uncomfortable situations, set them aside and turn her attention to a random and minor matter.
“I will see you in the morning.” Elizabeth smiled and left the room.
Maybe it was so simple. Maybe now that she has seen Orlando, and put the past to rest, it will no longer linger in the back of her mind—a dark cloud of embarrassment and guilt for loving and desiring someone who was not her husband.
Besides, it was time to look toward the future. She was happy, she had friends and she enjoyed her position at Athena’s Salon. What more could she want when her life was complete?
Orlando crossed to the sideboard in his office and poured himself a glass of brandy. He was not yet ready to retire upstairs where he kept a set of rooms.
Memories of Brussels flooded his mind. That longing and desire for a married woman that had filled him each and every day, and the undeniable instinct to protect her.
At the knock on his door, Orlando blew out a sigh and crossed to open it, already knowing who was on the other side.
“What are you going to do now that you have found Blythe?” Isabella asked as she entered, followed by Storm.
“Do?” he asked.
“Yes. Do.” His sister plopped down onto the settee. “Could you pour me a glass of wine, dear.” She smiled at Storm.
“Your wish is my command.” He winked and crossed to the sideboard.
At least his siblings had married well. Orlando didn’t expect to have the same luck and would likely die a bachelor.
“You love her,” Isabella reminded him.
“I never made such a claim.” He had never confessed such, nor would he ever.
“I wonder if she still believes that you are a rake disguised as a doctor.” Isabella laughed.
“Do you intend to seek her out?” Storm asked.
“I most certainly do.”
“For what purpose?” Isabella asked. “That is, if it is true that you do not love her.”
He turned to the window, his back to Storm and Isabella.
“Because she belongs to me.”
She belonged to him!
The words lingered in Orlando’s mind long after Isabella and Storm left him.
She was also a widow.
Blythe was free!
And she belonged to him.
Now, all he needed was a plan and then he would claim her.
Except, she knew his past, that of his family, and it was likely the reason she had fled, and would also keep them apart.
