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“I suppose I could. I just don’t like the idea of you having to be with him in his house. It gives him an unfair advantage.”

“For what?” She laughed. “It’s not like he can do anything untoward. He has a staff of ten people who will be right there with us. You’ll be close behind and arrive to save the day if he even attempts to act in an ungentlemanly fashion.”

Erik frowned. “You seem determined.”

“I am.” She started to go for his coat and found herself being whirled back around and enclosed by his arms.

His expression changed, and a shiver ran up Leah’s spine. “And I’m determined to kiss you. Are you willing?”

“I am,” she said, putting her hands on his face. “More than willing.”

His kiss was tender and brief, and when he released her, Erik studied her face for a long moment. “I don’t like Randolph Vanhoutte.”

Leah laughed and retrieved Erik’s coat. “You don’t have to.”

On Wednesday evening Randolph’s car arrived precisely at six forty-five. Erik was upstairs finishing his discussion with Nurse Foster, and Leah didn’t want to interrupt them. Instead, she donned her fur coat and asked Mrs. Astor to let him know she’d gone.

Randolph’s uniformed driver helped her into the back seat of the car, then closed the door behind her. They were on the road in a matter of seconds, and despite the trip usually taking quite a bit of time, it seemed as if they arrived in only a few short minutes.

Leah collected her thoughts. Randolph must have his disappointment and move on. She’d remind him of their association through family and how it would be important to keep that relationship free of anger. They would simply go on as the friends they’d always been.

The cold winds were biting as snow began to fall once again. Goodness, but she’d be glad when spring finally came. Leah continued up the walk and climbed the steps to the columned front entrance. She was about to knock when the door opened, and Randolph himself greeted her.

“Good evening, my love. I’m so glad you could come. Let me take your coat.” He glanced out beyond her and gave his driver a wave of dismissal.

“Good evening, Randolph.” Leah hadn’t intended to stay and hesitated a moment to let him remove her fur. He insisted, however, and so she yielded. No sense starting off on the wrong foot.

“You are so beautiful,” he commented as her gown was revealed. “I’ve always loved you in blue.”

Leah glanced at her dinner dress. It was rather simplistic in its fashion, with a silk sheath covered by a long, fitted jacket of the same color in boiled wool.

Randolph draped her coat over the back of a chair, then turned to her with a smile. “I have everything arranged, and I believe you will be impressed. We have a veritable feast awaiting us.”

Leah removed her gloves and put them in her jacket pocket. She allowed him to lead her into the dining room, where a banquet stood at the ready. The table was covered in a variety of foods.

“Sit here, my love,” he said, pulling out a chair for her.

“I really can’t stay.”

“Oh, but you must. I’ve gone to great lengths to make this evening perfect. I want it to be just right.”

Leah sighed and took the offered chair. Perhaps if she did as he said and gave a pretense of staying, he’d take his own seat and allow her to speak.

Instead of sitting at the opposite end of the table, Randolph stood behind the chair to her right. “Tell me what you’d like, and I’ll serve it to you.”

“Where’s your staff?” Leah glanced around the room. The house was silent except for the ticking of the large grandfather clock to their left.

“I let them go for the evening. I wanted us to have this incredibly special night to ourselves.”

Her stomach soured a bit. This was hardly appropriate, even if he was a close family friend. Still, she had a mission to accomplish. No sense making a fuss. “Randolph, please sit down. I must talk to you.”

“Of course. Tell me anything.” Still he remained standing.

She decided not to try and soften the truth. “I cannot marry you.” Leah fixed him with a solemn gaze. “I’m sorry.”

He looked at her for a long moment and shook his head. “But you must. I love you.”

Leah let go a sigh. “But I do not love you. You have long been a good friend to our family and especially to Uncle Jared, but I am not in love with you.”