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“Might I impose upon you to ask your opinion, sir?”

“Yes, of course.” I gestured to the chairs we used earlier that day, and we took seats.

“Although Sarah refused my proposal and declared a union between us to be impossible, she also affirmed that she loves me.”

That made her reply to Winston rather puzzling. “Did you ask her for an explanation?”

“Yes, but she would not provide specifics. She said that she could not bear for me to know a truth that could make me despise her. I told her that would be impossible, yet my words had no effect upon her.” Winston hung his head.

“That must have been disappointing and frustrating as well.”

“Yes, very much so.” His eyes crinkled. “She asked if we could remain friends, and I agreed. As painful as that will be, having no association with her would be far worse.”

“I can understand that.”

“In consideration of Sarah’s reply to my proposal, do you think it would be inappropriate for me to ever pose the question to her again?” His gaze locked upon me.

Since I had never confided in Winston, he had no idea that my first proposal to Elizabeth had been decidedly rejected and had led to a fervent argument. “No, I do not believe so. In time, you may have reason to believe her answer might be different. Perhaps one day she will explain why she believes she cannot remarry. Once you are apprised of the reason, you may be able to dispel her doubts.”

“Thank you, sir. I value your opinion.”

“You are welcome.”

“I suspect that Sarah may suffer from a physical impairment of some sort that she believes renders her unmarriageable. However, I cannot imagine any condition that would deter me from making her my wife if she would accept me.”

“Well, I hope there will be a happier conclusion for you one day soon.”

“I appreciate that, sir.”

Elizabeth

When my husband joined me in the chamber, I closed the book I had been reading and set it on the bedside table. He had been unusually laconic this evening, and I meant to find out why.

Fitzwilliam entered the bed and slid next to me. He pulled me against him, capturing my mouth in a hungry kiss, igniting a familiar fire within me. His fingers caressed my back, creating jolts of electricity along my flesh.

By the time I drew back, my prior intent had almost flown from my mind, but I managed to retain it. “My love, you have seemed out of sorts tonight. What is wrong?”

He took a heavy breath and tucked a stray lock behind my ear. “I was mistaken about Winston.” He proceeded to relate the unhappy details of his valet’s unsuccessful marriage proposal.

“Poor Winston!” I rolled upon my back. “I cannot understand Sarah’s actions. What secret could she be concealing that would prevent her from accepting the man she loves?”

“We may never know.”

“Perhaps if I speak to Sarah and offer my assistance—”

“I should not advise that. Since Sarah would not confide in Winston, the man she loves, there is no reason to expect her to be any more explicit with you, her employer.”

“Fie, you are right. I wish I could be of help in some way.”

“Indeed, I hate to see Winston despondent. Of course, we may hope they will have a more agreeable outcome in the future.” He moved atop me. His lips grazed my earlobe, and tarried at the crook of my neck, where he sucked gently at my skin. A delicious shiver rippled through me. Soon enough, all thoughts of anyone and everything but him went far afield.

Thursday, 16 September

Elizabeth

Since I had awoken this morning, the situation with Sarah and Winston had lingered upon my mind. It occurred to me that although I should not be the best person to speak to Sarah, I could encourage Stone to be a sympathetic ear for her.

With a glance at my abigail, who set to the weighty task of arranging my hair, I scrambled for the best way to broach the topic at hand. “Do you think Sarah is content with her position here?” I slanted my head to facilitate Stone’s work.