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The Smithersfort sisters bolted upright upon hearing that. Both cats awoke with a perturbed yowl. With the stiff, labored movements of the elderly, they put the cats down and rose.

“I’m famished,” Miss Hilda declared. She pointed her nose into the air and sniffed. “Is that pot roast I smell?”

Hands clasped atop her belly, Mrs. Longsdon beamed. “It is indeed.”

Miss Joan slipped her knobby fingers into the crook of her sister’s elbow. “No one makes a pot roast better than Mrs. Longsdon, my dear. Are you sure you won’t have a plate?”

Chasity smiled but shook her head. “No. I shall wait for Mr. Terramier.”

The sisters shuffled from the room, chatting excitedly about supper.

Mrs. Longsdon straightened the pillows on the chairs, then clasped her hands in front of her. “I’ll put a plate aside for you and Mr. Terramier just in case he’s delayed.”

Before Chasity could remark on the woman’s kindness, Aston strode into the parlor carrying a huge bouquet of flowers.

As always, her heart gave a gleeful skip. Aston had shaved and changed his clothes since this morning. Though his attire was unadorned, there was no mistaking the quality of the garments or the man wearing them. Aston might be a dance master and music teacher, but he bore himself like an aristocrat.

Mrs. Longsdon raised an imperious brow.

“Well, it seems I shan’t have to prepare a plate after all.” She eyed the flowers. “I’ll just get you a vase for your bouquet, Miss Noble.”

“Ah, but they’re not for her. They are for you, Pearl.” Aston held them toward the flabbergasted woman.

She put a hand to her ample chest. “Me?” Tears clouded her eyes. “But whatever for?”

Aston leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Because you deserve them. I don’t tell you often enough how much I appreciate you and all you have done for me.” He gave her a cheeky wink. “And I know how to keep the best cook in London happy.”

If Chasity hadn’t already been hopelessly in love with him, her heart would’ve become his at that moment.

“Oh, posh. Enough of your flattery.” Mrs. Longsdon accepted the flowers with the reverence one might hold a priceless tiara. A smile wreathing her flushed face, she gave Chasity a knowing look. “Aston’s a fine catch, he is.”

Chasity wasn’t sure how to respond. After all, they weren’t formally betrothed. “He is the finest of gentlemen, to be sure.”

Aston grasped Mrs. Longsdon’s shoulders and aimed her toward the door. “I require a few moments of privacy with Miss Noble.”

“I’ll just put these in water and call the others to dinner.” Before she closed the door, she said, “Take your time. I’ll ensure you’re not interrupted.”

Was this the same woman who had warned Chasity just yesterday that she wasn’t to have any gentleman callers?

As soon as the door clicked shut, Aston drew her into his arms. Several minutes passed as they explored one another’s mouths. Winding her arms about his neck, Chasity gave herself over to her love and desire for him.

At last, he drew back, his breathing ragged. “Forgive me for returning so late. My errands took longer than I anticipated.”

“It’s of no matter,” she replied rather breathlessly, still trying to recover from the sizzling kisses they’d just shared.

“I have two letters for you.” He passed them to her, and while she cracked the first seal, he moved about the salon, lighting the lamps. A soft glow filled the room, and she realized he’d lit the lamps many times before. This had been his home for years.

Chasity scanned the letter from Lady Balderbrook and glanced up as Aston returned to her. “I’ve been offered the position of headmistress at Balderbrook’s Institution for Genteel Ladies. I must say, that was rather swifter than I’d anticipated.”

Grinning, he plucked the letter from her fingers and tossed it onto a nearby table. “Regretfully, you shall have to decline.”

“Perhaps.” Quirking a brow, she eyed him. “Perhaps not.”

“Perhaps not?” With a playful growl, Aston caught her to him and nuzzled her neck.

Chasity giggled. “Yes. I haven’t quite decided yet. At present, I don’t have a better offer.”

“I fear my wife will be far too busy adjusting to married life to be a headmistress.”