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‘When I return, we shall speak more,’ he said softly. ‘I… this has taken me so much by surprise. I should… I wish…’

Eliza placed a gloved finger over his lips, and he immediately kissed it. ‘Shh. I understand. This is not what you came to London looking for.’

He shook his head.

‘You need a little time to sort out your thoughts?’

He nodded.

‘As do I.’

He frowned a little at that, making her smile. He dipped his head and kissed her again, swift and breathtaking. ‘Promise me you shan’t marry anyone whilst I’m away,’ he said, and his voice had a gravelly note to it that made her shiver with delight.

Robert stacked all the personal things he was taking with him on the bed, trying to ignore his brother who was pacing up and down the room.

‘You kissed her again?’ he yelped.

Robert closed his eyes momentarily before taking a breath. ‘Yes.’

‘And you still didn’t propose?’

‘We have an… understanding,’ he said. ‘I think,’ he was forced to add.

‘Dear God, Rob. You cannot keep doing this. You are either looking for a wife, or you are not.’

‘I’m not sure what I’m doing.’

‘Well, you can’t go around kissing gentlewomen without there being consequences. What in God’s name will her family think? Hannah will be livid and I wouldn’t blame her.’

‘Eliza won’t say anything.’ It was odd, because he knew with certainty, that Eliza would never disclose what had passed between them. He knew he should have got down on his knees; he knew that he should do more. But his heart had shrivelled into a ball after Juliana’s cruelty, and on top of that he’d felt so much loss, so much grief. These days, his heart was a solid lump in his chest, and he had no idea how he felt. No idea how to unravel it all. Certainly, no idea how to put words to it. He just knew that he wanted Eliza Courtney’s laughter, her smile, her practical, no-nonsense sense of humour, her wit, her intelligence. He just needed a little time. That was all. Was it too much to ask? Was he being entirely selfish?

‘Are you sure?’ Ed muttered, running a hand through his hair.

‘I am. She is very special, but please, just let me work this out.

‘Well, faint heart never won fair maiden, and all that. Don’t let her slip through your fingers, Rob.’

He managed a small smile. ‘She agreed not to accept anyone else’s hand whilst I’m away.’

Ed groaned and thumped him on the arm. Hard.

Chapter 39

HARYO

London

Harriet was so very rarely summoned to see her father she knew something was afoot the moment the message arrived, requesting her presence in the family parlour before dinner. The footman delivering the request scuttled off, and Harriet sighed and slumped into the nearest chair.

Her day had been going so well. Eliza had confided in her that she and the lovely Lieutenant Colonel had kissed and that they were ‘seeing how things went’, which had made her laugh. They were both so terribly cautious. She supposed she could see why. She remembered the debacle of Ellice’s betrothal to Juliana Morris. Being thrown over for a title and more money would make any man cautious. Added to that, Eliza had been overlooked for much of her life. She imagined neither of them quite believed love was for them.

Her maid came to help her dress for dinner, and Harriet paid rather more attention to her toilette than she might normally do, before heading to the parlour with a heavy heart. She knew what was coming but clung to the possibility it might be something and nothing. A new dog, or new kennels, would be enough for her father to drag them all together.

Once in the room, she kissed Gee on the cheek. She would have ruffled Hart’s hair, but he was too tall now.

‘What is this about?’ she enquired lightly. ‘New dog?’

Hart gave her a pitying look, and Gee took hold of her hand. When Selina Trimmer, cousin Caro, and Aunt Bess arrived, she realised her hopes were for naught.