Relief spread over his face, along with his smile. “I’m glad to hear it.” He sighed. “I do love the way you care for people. There’s truly no other woman like you, but I’ve always known that. I’m merely being selfish, wanting you to myself. Wanting to keep you safe.” He moved closer. “Forgive me?”

My eyes fluttered closed as a smile teased my lips. “I suppose.” When I opened them again his face was near mine, his eyes intent on me, on what was about to happen, and I felt it all the way to my belly. Without hesitation, I lifted my hand to his smooth cheek and invited him in, sensing the taste of him just before his lips met mine and he kissed me gently, savoring, then with growing abandon.

His arms slid about me and pulled me into the kiss. I surrendered, lost in the familiar smell, the sweet, gentle scent of him that I never knew I could miss so much. For now, there was only me and the man I’d adored since he’d first looked at me with that crooked smile and told me my hair was far too red.

When I leaned back with a small sigh, he was smiling. “That’s better. Now, what were you saying about this mission of yours?”

My senses swam pleasantly. “I believe I’ve forgotten.”

His smile widened. “Good. Now, perhaps we can have that conversation.”

I cleared my throat, moving back on the couch to bring clarity to my head. “I’d like to pay my father’s debts before anything, so I may go free and clear into whatever awaits.”

“Fair enough. As long as it doesn’t take more than a week.”

I laughed. “And I’d like to decide something about the future of the pianoforte shop. I’ll either have to sell and give it up or put my all into making a go of it. That might take a bit longer, though.”

“It needn’t take any extra time. Once you’ve decided, I’ll help you with whichever direction you need to go.”

I laid a hand on his arm. “Richard, you truly are good to me.”

“Someone ought to be.”

I brushed my fingertips along his cheek, drawing forth another smile.

“You’re not going out again tonight, are you?”

“I shouldn’t think so. Why?”

He shrugged. “You’re alone now, so I only wanted to make certain you’re looked after.”

“I do appreciate it, Richard, but I’ll be right as rain.”

“Even at the asylum?”

“I’ll slip out under the cover of darkness if I ever need to.”

He rose, lingering in the doorway. “Don’t depend too greatly on the cover of night, Vivvi. A girl like you with that copper-bright hair and fair skin . . . you nearly glow in the dark.”

I pinched my lips together, looking down at my lap. “So I’ve heard.”