“What, all four of them? No good will come of that.” Helena hurried to the window and peered over Tilly’s shoulder. “Who is that gentleman? I don’t recognize him.”
“It’s difficult to tell, half-drowned as he is, but it looks rather like…” Tilly broke off with a gasp. “Itis! It’s Lord Fairmont!”
“Lord Fairmont!” Phee jumped up, the baby clutched in her arms, her legs suddenly as wobbly as a jelly beneath her. “James ishere?”
“James, is it?” Tilly arched an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her lips. “Iknewsomething had happened! Why, I saw it as soon as you arrived, Phee! Didn’t I say so, Helena?”
“You did, but I confess I thought your imagination had run away with you. Now, however…” Helena turned to Phee, her eyes wide. “Is there something you wish to confide in us, Phee?”
Confide in them? Confidewhat? That three nights ago she’d shamelessly presented herself at Lord Fairmont’s bedchamber door? That he’d taken her to his bed, and he’d… and she’d… goodness, she couldn’t even think of it without a blush. Or should she confess that only hours later, she’d run away from him, without a word of warning or explanation?
She was the most disgraceful coward.
But she’d never asked for anything from James, and neither did she expect anything. She hadn’t gone to his bedchamber hoping he’d make promises of eternal love and devotion. She’d gone because, for just one night, she’d wanted to lie in the arms of the man she loved.
Tilly jumped up from the window seat, rushed over to Phee, and plucked the baby from her arms. “Quickly, Phee! Go and change your dress. Baby Euphemia drooled on that one. Wear your blue one, mind, and not that dreadful brown!”
“Me? Why should I change? Lord Fairmont hasn’t come here forme.”
“Of course, he’s come for you!” Tilly threw her hands up in the air. “Why else would he have come?”
“He looks as if he’s ready to do battle for you too, Phee. Oh, wait. They’re laughing now, and it looks like… yes, they’re letting him in.” Helena turned away from the window, hurried across the room to Phee, and began tugging her toward the door. “Go down at once.”
“But the drool!” Phee glanced down at her gown in despair.
“Never mind the drool.” Emmeline jerked open the door, and pushed her out into the hallway. “Gentlemen don’t notice that sort of thing.”
“Especially gentlemen in love! Oh, and Phee, don’t forget to?—”
Emmeline closed the door, cutting Tilly off, and leaving Phee alone in the hallway.
Slowly, she made her way to the staircase, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
Had James come here forher? It seemed impossible, yet she couldn’t think of any other reason he’d come to Steeple Cross. Was he angry with her for leaving Fosberry House so abruptly? She’d considered slipping a note under his door but in the end…
In the end, she’d gone away without a word, because…
Because she’d been afraid. Afraid he’d regret what they’d done, and that she’d be able to see it in his face the following morning. Afraid of the depths of her feelings for him, and afraid he’d never return them.
“Euphemia.”
She stilled.
He was standing alone in the entryway below, his hat in his hands, rain dripping from the hem of his cloak.
“James,” she whispered. It had only been a few days, but how she’d missed him!
“Come here, Euphemia.” He held out his hand to her.
And she… well, what else could she do but come down the last few steps, and take it? What more could she want than to feel his strong, warm fingers clasp her own?
Nothing. There wasn’t a single thing she wanted more than that.
Thanhim.
He led her down the corridor to the drawing room and closed the door behind them. For a moment they both stood there,staring silently at each other until he cleared his throat. “Three nights ago, you came to my bedchamber, Euphemia. Why?”
He didn’t know? Had he not read the truth in her every whisper, her every touch?
