He alone held the power that made her heart and body sing. He was a rare find. Like the books she loved most of all, he offered a unique glimpse into something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It was more than love. It was a soul-deep connection that made everything right and good.

Hearing the creak of a wagon’s wheels, she squeezed her eyes shut. The real world was beginning to move about and would soon be invading this fantasy one, causing it to fade away until it too was naught but reality. She couldn’t hold on forever.

She had to let go.

Carefully, gingerly, she began easing off the bed. His hand clamped around her hip.

“Mmm,” he murmured, opening his eyes narrowly and peering at her. “Where are you going?”

“I have to leave before too many people are about.” Leaning in, she kissed his forehead. “I can’t be caught leaving a bachelor’s residence at dawn.”

“Stay awhile longer.” He gave her a wicked grin. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

He would, she knew he would, but it would make it all the harder to leave. “I can’t.”

With a great deal of reluctance, Matthew let her go, rolled onto his back, shoved himself up slightly, and placed his hands behind his head, watching as she began gathering up her clothing. He wanted to watch her doing that every morning for the remainder of his life. He loved her, to the depths of his soul. “Don’t open the shop today. Let’s do something together. We’ll take the train to Brighton. No, we’ll take a flight in a hot air balloon.” I want to tell you who I am. I want to ask you to marry me. You can have your dream of marrying for love. Your family will have theirs of seeing you become part of the aristocracy.

Straightening, she wrapped a hand around the bedpost and stood there in all her naked glory. He wanted her breast back in his mouth, her legs wrapped around his waist. “I can’t.”

“Then I’ll purchase all the books in your shop, and you’ll have nothing to sell and no reason to unlock your door to customers.”

She gave a huff of a laugh, her smile not nearly as bright as he’d expected his words to make it. “You can’t afford to do that.”

“I can.” She stared at him, her eyes slowly blinking. He climbed out of bed, took two strides to reach her, and cradled her face between both his hands. “Spend the day with me, Fancy.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she placed her hands over his, threaded their fingers together, and brought them to her lips, pressing a kiss against his knuckles. “I want nothing more.”