Matteo’s heart began to pound. “It’s the most natural thing in the world living here with you.” He stopped.

Scarlet turned to face him. “As I said, I just don’t know what to do with you. With all the servants everywhere, and the marquess and his wife, we are certainly well-chaperoned, but the neighborhood will talk.” She looked up into his eyes, and he saw a hint of wariness. She was a widow, he knew, but he didn’t know anything about her previous relationship or how she felt about her late husband.

He tried for a change of subject, something that had been weighing on him anyway. “Let’s think on this, shall we? Two wonderfully engaging and attractive people, forced together on this lovely estate, with nothing to do except to save France and stare into each other’s eyes . . . oh and again, did I mention, save France?”

Scarlet grinned. She squeezed his arm and moved closer, leaning her head on him, just below his shoulder. “Fair enough,” she said. “Let’s save France.”

Matteo grinned down at her. “Can we stare into each other’s eyes as well? There will be time for that and for a bite of chocolate now and then.” He tried to overexaggerate his expression with the hope Scarlet would laugh again.

“Yes, I’ll save a few minutes for that. Oh! And for attending balls. Did I mention Prince George’s ball tonight?”

“I don’t want to talk about the ball just yet.”

“You don’t?”

Matteo pulled her closer to him and wrapped her in his arms. She fit perfectly under his chin. “I could stay just like this for a very long time. It scares me.”

“Am I so fearsome?”

“Terrifying—blindingly so. I hold you just like this, and even France does not need me so dearly. My own stomach does not require food. Sleep is far from my thoughts. The world has shrunk to a very small area of only you and me, standing in your back garden.”

“It is lovely, is it not?” Scarlet sighed. “And yet . . .”

Matteo stepped back slightly so that he could look down into her face. “Say it not, fair lady. Allow me a moment of delusion.” He paused dramatically, eyes closed. “There, it is done. Before we move on to what we must, let me just express my gratitude.”

Scarlet wrinkled her nose, and Matteo held up his hand. “Hardly scintillating, but necessary. Thank you,”—he paused—“Scarlet, for bringing me here to England.” Her name flowed from his tongue in a sweetness he wanted to taste again.

“I do believe the Pimpernel was also involved.”

He narrowed his eyes in frustration. “Yes, of course.”

“Now, why this face?”