“Did I mention that I’m making progress on my garden, by the way?”
“What?” Viola stared up at him in confusion. What on earth did this have to do with anything?
“I made a sketch for my gardener to follow. Poor fellow will be busy for the next month at least, replacing existing plants with new ones and putting in graveled walkways. Thanks to my books, I’ve managed to find a way of ensuring that there’re always flowers present during spring and summer.”
“It sounds as though it will be very pretty once it’s done.”
“I expect so. Now, about this excursion,” he said, tossing her a boyish smile. “I can have a picnic basket prepared.”
“You do realize I haven’t agreed to come with you yet?”
He shrugged. “Semantics.” When she rolled her eyes, he said, “It is just for the day, Viola, and somewhere far from here where no one will recognize either of us. If we leave early enough in the morning, there’s not even a chance of us being seen. But of course, if the idea of being alone with me troubles you, we can ask the Huntleys or the Coventrys to chaperone.”
Viola considered that as an option and then dismissed it again. She was a widow, after all, so would it really be so terrible if people saw them together and thought they were having an affair? Would it really give Hayes the added advantage? Perhaps she feared spending the day with Henry for a different reason entirely—because it made everything between them more serious somehow. It meant she would have to give their relationship some serious thought and decide if marrying him was a viable option for her. If it wasn’t, she’d have to end things between them quickly.
The idea of giving him up, though, and going on without him, twisted her insides and stabbed at her heart. Suddenly everything came into focus with blinding clarity. She loved him. Living without him was no longer possible, so when he eventually asked, she would tell him yes without even blinking.
With this in mind, she smiled at him broadly while a new, more powerful sense of happiness clung to her heart. “There’s no need for that,” she said. “I am happy to spend the day with you alone.”
His eyes brightened and he hesitated for a second, as if on the verge of kissing her after all. But then he said, “Is six o’clock too early for you to be ready?”
“I rise at five most mornings, so it suits me just fine.”
He touched her shoulder with his hand, gave it a gentle squeeze and said, “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow then.” His eyes held hers briefly and then he stepped away, bidding her a good day and leaving her with a flutter in her chest that remained for long moments after.
The time had come for her to reach for more than she’d ever thought possible—for more than she’d thought could be hers after everything that had happened. It was time for her to tell Henry the whole truth about herself and see where that led them. He’d already told her there was nothing she could say to alter the way he felt about her. Which meant it was time for her to be absolutely honest. Only then, when he knew all there was to know about her, could they truly have a chance at the happily-ever-after she’d started to dream of again.
Chapter 21
Joy had burst through Henry’s veins when Viola had agreed to come with him to Hastings. Surprise and pleasure had followed when she’d told him that chaperones weren’t required. Exiting his coach, he went to knock on her door.
It took only moments for it to open and reveal the woman who made his heart beat more wildly than ever before. She smiled at him through the purple light of dawn and bade him good morning.
He returned the greeting while she locked the door. Her hand reached toward him, and he saw she was offering him Rex’s leash. “I think I should get inside the carriage first and then you can help Rex up afterward,” she said.
Henry grabbed the knotted cord, waited for her to embark and then bent to pick Rex up. The dog struggled slightly against his grasp until he spotted Viola, upon which sight he leapt out of Henry’s arms and straight in behind her. Laughing slightly on account of the obvious loyalty, Henry issued instructions to the driver and climbed up into the carriage as well before shutting the door.
They took off with a jolt, causing Rex to look up in surprise. “I take it he’s never ridden in a carriage before?” Henry asked. He’d deliberately taken the seat across from Viola, as was proper, even though he itched to be close enough to touch her.
But, considering the effect she had on him and the promise he’d made himself to stay on his best behavior, he knew more distance was required if he was to stop from being a scoundrel. They were after all in a closed carriage now. Together. Alone. If he kissed her his hands were bound to wander and...
She pushed her hood back with her fingers, and although she was cast in the shadows of early morning light, he could see she was looking straight at him, causing his pulse to leap with delight.
“No. This is the first time,” she said, in answer to his question. Placing her hand on Rex’s head, she gave the beast a few loving strokes before leaning back against the squabs. “Did you leave Newton at home by himself?”
“Yes. I’m not sure he would enjoy the sand or the water.” Dropping a glance at Rex’s big head, he added, “I’m also not sure Rex would like him very much.”
She looked at him as if he had bats flying out of his ears. “Rex might be big, but he’s got a lovely heart. He would never hurt Newton if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
Henry considered the dog’s wide jaw and the teeth protruding like stalactites from the roof of a cave. “Newton’s entire body would fit in his mouth without much effort.”
She frowned, but her eyes were dancing. “Perhaps we ought to arrange for the two to meet under more controlled conditions.”
Henry smiled. “I like that idea.” She smiled as well, and he found himself struggling to remain where he was—to not cross to her side of the carriage and kiss her with wild abandon. “I have a confession to make,” he said instead. “I’m glad you decided to come alone even though I suggested a chaperone.”
“So am I,” she whispered, so softly he barely heard her, but her admission was like a balm to his soul and a spark to his desire.
“Really?”
