“You’ll have to take that up with Marcel Beauchene. He’s the one who will not let me perform until I’m out of mourning.” I gripped the stool beneath me, and my thoughts kept returning to Hurstwell. The strangeness of the place lingered even now, a slight dissonance to the usual melody of my little world.

Richard laid a gentle hand on my shoulder, and I fought the urge to pull away. “What is it? What has he left at that place to make you feel the need to go there?”

I looked at the rug, at the gold swirls against dark red.

“I know it isn’t just about the pay. That can be had so many other places. Why are you letting him control you still?”

“I’m doing it for me, Richard. It’s something for myself.”

He stepped back. “So you’re going back, then.”

“I didn’t say—”

“I don’t like the idea of you in danger. There are men there who are stronger than you, and unpredictable to boot. Volatile.”

“Fortunately, I work in the women’s wards.”

“You’re telling me they’re not just as mad, just as dangerous?”

I tipped my chin down, pondering this. Their faces ran through my mind, one by one. “No, I don’t think they are. At least, not most of them.”

He studied me as he leaned on the pianoforte again, chin on knuckles, several creases lining his brow. “I can see how you might be good for them, I suppose. Why it’s tempting for you to go back.” His frown told me he still hoped I wouldn’t. “Just don’t forget, Vivvi, you cannot save everyone. And you needn’t worry about pleasing him any longer, whatever he’s set you to do. It isn’t worth the risk.”

“Even if I don’t return, I have other plans that are just as risky. Perhaps worse.” I looked up into his face. “Richard, there are so many . . . what? What is it?”

He leaned back on his heels with a long breath, hands in his pockets. “From one mission to the next, is it?”

I looked down at my gown, resting my hands in the folds of my skirt. We’d arranged this meeting to speak of our future, and I’d said not a word on it. I lifted a look of apology toward him, tipping my head with an expression that implored him to accept.

His tension visibly melted as our eyes met. Then with gentle hands, he guided me toward the couch and sat beside me, our knees touching and his nearness engulfing my senses, and I was utterly his in that moment. “Richard. How I’ve missed you.”