“Always,” Rowles replied. His restless soul had found peace the moment she stepped into the room.

Her green eyes lifted to meet his, entrancing him. The memory of the flavor of her kiss created a hunger for more, and he gave his head a shake to break the spell she’d woven unknowingly around him.

“How can we be of assistance?” Morgan cut in, rapping his fingers on the desk to defuse the tension in the room.

Rowles shifted his attention to his friend, then sighed. There were indeed tasks that needed attention, and thankfully they all related to Joan, which gave him more ambition in accomplishing them.

“First, I’d like to discuss the marriage settlement. My solicitor drew up the documents and delivered them this morning.”

Morgan nodded.

Rowles turned to Joan. “I’d like for you to see them as well.”

Joan’s eyes widened a moment before a wide, approving expression graced her lips. “Thank you for the consideration.”

While it wasn’t the norm, he wanted her to know the details of the settlement. After all, it concerned her and their children. Shouldn’t she know the particulars? And he knew that Joan would appreciate the gesture. She was far too forward-thinking and self-sufficient to appreciate anything less than full disclosure.

“If you’d take a seat?” Rowles signaled to the chairs in front of his desk and took out the leather-bound folder that held all the particular documents regarding the settlement. Displaying them for the siblings to look over, Rowles returned to his own chair and leaned back, his attention focused on Joan as her eyes darted over the writing.

A delicate furrow pinched her face as she read through the documents, not one of disapproval but of concentration. He loved that he could interpret her facial expressions; it was endearing. Just as he’d taught others, he would become a student of hers. Learning her smiles, unwinding the brilliant way her mind worked, and everything in between. Yes, indeed, he would be a very dedicated student.

“This is…quite generous,” Morgan stated as he looked up. “It’s more than I had hoped for, for Joan. Thank you. Though I can’t say I’m surprised. I have the suspicion that if she asked for a star in the heavens, you’d try to find a way to procure it.”

“That might prove difficult, but I’d likely try,” Rowles admitted, feeling a bit shy at such a truth being laid bare.

“Thank you,” Joan murmured, looking up from the paper and meeting his warm expression. Her green eyes were luminous, captivating him. “Thank you for…everything, but thank you also for including me in the process,” she added, her lips dimpling as she turned back to the paper. “I confess I feel as though I don’t bring enough into the marriage.”

Rowles frowned. He’d never considered she’d look at the settlement with such a perspective. “Joan…”