He longed to kiss her closed lids. “No, no, my dear. I can see how you would have thought this. Éléonore did her best to lead many to believe such a thing was happening between us. You are not to be blamed. But let me reassure you now, my dear Scarlet. The moment I first saw you at my rescue, dressed in your finery at your home in Paris, I became lost to all other women. You are the answer to the longing of my heart. I cannot feel whole without you, and no other could ever stand in your place.”

Her eyes glowed with happiness as she watched his face.

He chose his words carefully, trying to explain the depth of his sincerity. “And further, I made promises to you. I do not take my wedding covenant lightly. I pledged myself to you. I will honor, protect, and be loyal to you until the last breath of my life. Your happiness is my everything, the very purpose that I breathe. Please know I am your constant. The one thing you can count on, forever.”

She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him, hands stretched around to his back as far as they could reach. His heart overflowed with relief, joy, the pure happiness of being alive with Scarlet, who loved him. The world forgotten, he held her, loved her, and swayed in place, lost to anything but the feel of her body pressed up against his, her heartbeat pounding near his.

She tipped her head back and up, her lips seeking his. He covered them with his own instantly and felt the comfort of the home fire transform to a blazing white-hot brand, singeing him to his marrow. His body burned with recognition. Scarlet. She filled him, completed him. Every movement of her hands as they ran up his chest and across his back left burning trails of awareness. His wife. Her lips hot, her flesh searing, he pulled her closer, pressed her more insistently against him. But her cheeks felt clammy and something registered; some sense of logic returned. “You’re too warm.”

“Mmm?” she mumbled against his lips.

“Your skin. It is so warm, scalding.” He brought a hand up to her forehead. The heat from her head nearly scorched him. Panic chilled him. “You have a fever.”

Her body began to tremble, to shake and shiver. “I do feel unwell of a sudden.” Her teeth chattered. “And so cold.” Her arms pulled inward and wrapped around herself. He pulled her closer to him again, rubbing her back to warm her. She wiggled under his palms. “No, that almost hurts. Just hold me.” She swayed on her feet. “I need to lie down.”

And then he lost her. Eyes rolling back into her head, she shut them involuntarily and collapsed in his arms.