Page 54

Still in Kelston Hall’s dining room

After a handful of embarrassing seconds

Though her fingers had grown clumsy and pickle-sized, Lilly finally managed to place the lid on the ointment tin.

With a mere glance, Zander threw her into a dither.

Of course, she wanted children, but she had determined years ago it was not her lot in life.

“I have dedicated my life to the children at Kelston Hall, Zander.” She placed the tin in the medicine chest and then gave him a sideways glance.

“What about you? Do you want children?”

Dash it to ribbons.

At her folly, she almost groaned aloud.

He might already have children.

The thought sat like curdled milk in her stomach. Not that he might have children, but what it meant if he had a family.

If he did, they must be worried sick about him.

“I have always liked children.” A skillful deflection.

He leaned over and snatched three biscuits off the plate. As he bit into the crisp, spicy sweetness, his attention fell on the correspondence Lilly had tossed onto the table in her haste to reach Eddy.

Slowly straightening, Zander lifted the top letter.

“From Cambridge,” he muttered beneath his breath, a hint of something Lilly could not identify, rendering his voice husky.

He glanced between Lilly and the rectangle he held between his thumb and forefinger.

“I was on my way to my office to open it, when I heard Eddy’s cry.” Why Lilly felt the need to explain herself mystified her.

Zander nodded but remained silent.

Could he be as concerned as she was?

“I fully intend to share the contents with you, Zander.”

She swiped a tendril of hair that had come loose away from her face.

And there she went again.

Her tongue seemed to have taken on a life of its own and jabbered away without her permission. A most disturbing development, and one she must put an end to at once.

Was he as worried as Lilly that whatever was written on that paper would send their worlds upon their heads?

That they had no more control over what happened next than they did the sun rising and setting on the horizon each day?

Zander dropped the letter, and then the cookies onto the table.

Before Lilly knew what he was about, he gathered her into his arms and drew her against his hard chest.

His lips hovered above hers.

“That letter may well tumble us tail over top. So, before you open it and everything changes, I want to kiss you, Lilly.”