As he entered the area where afternoon tea was served, Robert Lassiter saw her at once, looking truly beautiful in a cream dress and matching hat.

Immediately he drew back, stepped behind a potted plant, so she would not spot him. Should he join her as planned? Or should he leave the Ritz, and send a message he was unable to keep their appointment? Sudden and unexpected indecision made him hesitate. Sending a message and then staying away from her would keep him out of trouble. Because trouble she was.

Joining her as planned would mean he would be ensnared once again by her beauty and personality, and his own intense emotions. In a sense, it would be a commitment to her. At least, it would be in his own mind. And perhaps hers.

He wanted her. Not for a few months like other relationships he had enjoyed over the past nine years. He wanted Vanessa Stratton for the rest of his life. Why deny the fact that he had fallen in love with her the moment they met? And she with him, he was certain. Hadn’t she made it clear?

Taking a deep breath, Robert stepped out from behind the plant, and strode in her direction. At once, he noticed the worried, anxious expression on her face and felt a rush of love for her. She thought he wasn’t coming and was upset.

Hurrying, he made sure he was in her direct line of vision, but for a moment she had looked in her reticule, her gaze averted. A second later, when she looked up, she saw him at once and her entire demeanor changed. A radiant smile flooded her face and her eyes sparkled.

Robert felt his heart pounding as he drew closer, and that tight, tense feeling in his stomach was gripping him again.

As he came to a standstill next to the table, he leaned forward, took hold of her hand and kissed it, then immediately sat down in the chair opposite her.

“Hello,” he said, hardly able to get even one word out. He sat gazing at her, entranced.

“Hello! Yes, hello!” she exclaimed in a low voice, her excitement and pleasure made very clear. Her eyes did not leave his face. How handsome he was. How charismatic. His presence filled the whole room.

He found his voice at last, and said, “I’m so very sorry I’m late. I got caught up at the last minute with a matter, and it took a while to extricate myself.”

“It’s all right,” she murmured, a half smile on her face. “I admit that I did think you had changed your mind at one moment, though.”

“I’ll never change my mind about you, Vanessa. Be sure of that.”

At this moment, a waiter approached and they fell silent, glancing at the menu.