“Oh, bloody hell,” Lettie whispered. “It is Caroline.”

The middle Brookfield sister.

Splendid. It was a blasted Brookfield reunion.

“You need to go,” he mouthed. “Now.”

Lady Caroline’s voice grew louder. “Lettie?”

“Goodbye, Anthony,” Lettie said softly, and this time, she took off racing.

He remained hidden amid the white blooms.

The quick staccato taps of Lettie’s slippers as she climbed the steps filled the quiet.

“There you are!” That exasperated greeting filled the terrace. “What are you doing out here?”

“I dropped my glove.”

“It is not safe for you to be out here alone. The gossips would love to cut their teeth on you, and Lord Exmoor was looking for you, but now, he too, has gone missing…”

The discussion between the sisters faded.

A moment later, only silence filled the gardens.

She’d gone.

Relief brought Anthony’s shoulders sagging, and he leaned his forehead against the same wall where he’d anchored Rhys’ youngest sister just moments ago.

All those years ago, he’d committed what he’d believed was the greatest transgression against the other man, only to discover now how wrong he’d been. For there was surely no greater sin, no worse crime, than having taken Lettie Brookfield in his arms, kissing her, caressing her, and wanting a whole lot more.

What was worse…he ached to do so again.

Anthony drew in a shuddery breath, and straightening, he shook his head.

He wouldn’t. Tonight had been an errant lapse in judgment, one sparked by the moonlight and the fragrant scent of flowers that had transformed the duke and duchess’ garden into a veritable Eden that invited a man to sin.

In fact, he’d likely not cross paths with her again.

Oddly enough, as he climbed the terrace stairs, the thought didn’t bring the reassurance that it should have.

Chapter 4

Lettie had said goodbye to Anthony last evening.

But not for a single moment had she intended that goodbye to be a forever parting.

It was why, the following morning, she found herself seated in one of his parlors, occupying a robin’s-egg blue armchair across from Anthony’s mama, whom, with her ability to smile a real smile and make light jokes, Lettie had always quite adored as a child. Whenever their families had gathered, she’d secretly mourned the fact that she didn’t have a mama as agreeable as the Grafton one.

“Oh, Lettie, it is so very good to see you again,” the duchess said as she poured Lettie a glass of tea.

It is so very good to see you again. Funny, those were the words she’d hoped to hear from Anthony.

Alas, time and distance had changed him.

The sky, having erupted into a deluge that morn, sent rain slanting noisily against the windowpanes.