The Roman design marble shower enclosure had steam jets that came from all different angles. She would love to take Byron in there.

Amelia wrapped the towel around herself and closed her eyes. Her skin was still warm from the shower, and she could easily imagine the hot water massaging her body. Her heart started to beat as she imagined Byron stepping into the shower and circling her reassuringly strong arms around her waist.

Despite the heat of the shower she shivered when her lover kissed her neck and whispered, I love you, mia cara.

Amelia’s eyes fluttered open, and she gave a little sigh. That was one part of the fantasy that wasn’t yet believable. Would Byron ever tell her how she felt? She wrapped her hair in a smaller towel and had a final look around the marble bathroom. How the other half lived.

When she walked into her bedroom, she saw a white box tied with a thick red bow, and two smaller purple velvet boxes sitting on top. She chuckled. “I feel like the poor girl from a folk story.”

Amelia made her way over to the bed and picked up a gift card, written in Byron’s handwriting.

To my darling Miss Honey,

I would like to cordially invite you to dine with me this evening on the beach. I have left a few gifts that I hope you may graciously wear for me this evening. I will send someone for you at six thirty.

Yours,

Byron

The beach? That was not what she was expecting. She’d imagined a grand dining room with a long table and opulent furnishings. Byron was full of surprises.

Amelia opened the two velvet boxes and found a jaw dropping diamond necklace and earring set, with a matching diamond bracelet.

“Oh my God,” Amelia said with shock.

She had never seen jewellery like this except in magazines about the rich and famous, but she supposed that was the world she was in now. But was she in it, or just visiting? That was the nagging doubt that lingered at the back of her mind.

“Is this a fairy tale, or am I…” Amelia didn’t want to finish that thought.

Did Byron do this with every woman who piqued her interest? Did she shower them with gifts and show them the high life, before becoming bored and moving on?

Her heart said no, but her head was worried because she had fallen in love with Byron. Amelia set the jewellery boxes and her fears to the side and untied the red bow on the white box. She removed sheets of tissue paper and gasped as she lifted out the most elegant white evening gown, by one of Europe’s most sought after designers, Edouard Bernard.

She ran the material over her fingers, and admired the cut and stitching. It was the most beautiful gown she had ever had or seen up close.

Amelia smiled and shook her head. Flash and glam.

There was a knock at the door and she said, “Come in.”