“I . . .” Everton knew what he was asking. “I believe we will.”

“Women like Miss Barton don’t come around every day. I think it may be time to snatch happiness while it is sitting right in front of you.”

“It isn’t my happiness I’m worried about.”

Nelson eyed the door through which Diana had just left.

Had Everton really just kissed her? In the corridor of his home? He really was a cad. And yet, he couldn’t make himself feel bad about it. “She is so young. She hasn’t even begun to live her life. Not really.”

“With all due respect, sir, neither have you.” Nelson placed a hand on his shoulder, a motion much more like a father would do to his son than a servant to master. “And you can’t rob someone of their future if they willingly give it to you. I may be wrong, but she seemed quite happy before she left.”

Everton couldn’t help the grin that came to his lips. “She did, didn’t she?” The weight of the past four years suddenly made it hard to breathe. He closed his eyes and saw Diana again, waiting to be kissed with a smile on her face.

A smile. For him.

“I think I may be on the verge of becoming a stodgy family man.”

Nelson smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “That has always been my highest hope for you.”

“Me too.” It was hard to admit it after years of running away, but it was true. That dream had slowly been crushed over the months of his unhappy marriage. He had always thought that if he had loved Rachel enough, their marriage could have evolved into the marriage he had always hoped for. But it only got worse, and his heart only grew harder. He had loved her out of duty, and there was no possibility that Rachel hadn’t known that.

Nelson cleared his throat, perchance to cover some strong emotion. “You hid it well enough.”

The hope of his youth had landed on dry ground. He had always considered it dead, but it hadn’t been. It lay dormant, waiting for Diana to come shower it with the giving waters of her smile. He could feel those seeds growing in his chest, even now. An opening of his world that he had been certain would remain dark and unfruitful. “I didn’t think it would ever happen for me.”

Nelson dropped his hand from Everton’s shoulder and straightened. “I knew I was right to let her in all those months ago.”

“Are you trying to claim credit for this?”

“Don’t you think I should?”

Everton placed his hands on Nelson’s shoulders and squeezed them. His smallest finger still felt oddly bare. But Diana didn’t need that ring to protect her. She had come to him of her own free will. Despite the whole world telling her she shouldn’t. He didn’t know what he had done to deserve such a show of faith, but he would go to the devil before breaking her trust. “If there is good news to be had, I say we all take credit for it.”