Suddenly she remembered an incident during that visit. They had been strolling on an island in the Gulf of Finland, and she had run ahead and ducked behind a tree, planning to leap out and surprise him. But when she jumped out he was closer than she’d thought, right beside the tree, and she bumped into him. He extended a hand to steady her and his palm brushed against her breast. It was insignificant, over in a moment, and yet that encounter stuck in her mind because she could remember the exact expression on his face. He appeared embarrassed, but there was something else in his eyes: a hungry look that puzzled her at the time. She realized now it must have been desire.

Her cheeks felt hot as she read the remainder of the letter. Dickie suggested that they should set up home near Portsmouth, as he planned to continue his naval career after the war, but he promised they would visit her family as often as she wanted. He wrote that he hoped to have children and he knew Maria would make an excellent mother—the very best kind. He praised her complexion, her eyes, her hair, her gentleness, in terms that made her blush even more deeply.

To protect those who have helped me, I will not tell you how I contrived to get this letter to you, he said, but I would be eternally grateful if you could respond tomorrow morning, putting your reply in the exact same place this was discovered. I’m sorry to rush you but it must be tomorrow or else your letter could fall into the wrong hands. If you are unable to make up your mind so fast, please at least tell me whether I might have hope.

Maria was giddy with the swirl of emotions that engulfed her. Foremost was astonishment that Dickie felt that way about her. She had known he liked her, but not enough to propose marriage, not that kind of liking. She felt flattered, because there was no doubt he was a good catch. He was a prince, a great-grandson of Queen Victoria, with connections throughout European royalty. How extraordinary that he should propose to her rather than to one of her elder sisters! She felt worried that she might hurt his feelings if she did not consent, yet how could she? She had known him only as a playfellow. He was good company but she scarcely knew anything of his character as an adult.