“Montagu is here. He would like to speak with you.” Matt took her hand and squeezed it. “Are you ready to listen to him?”

She rose from her bed and tried to shake out her skirts, but they were so creased it did not do any good. “I shall have to change.”

“I’ll let him know you will be a little while.” He kissed Grace on the cheek before he walked out the door.

She rang the bellpull, and before long Jobert came into the room carrying a Pomona green gown. One of Eleanor’s new ones. Once she was dressed, her maid insisted on repining her hair. Finally Jobert stepped back. “That should do it.”

Eleanor glanced in the mirror. She appeared older. It must be the gown. It was designed for a young matron. There was nothing she could do about her puffy eyes, but she pinched her cheeks to get some color into them. She would listen to what he had to say before she decided. “I am ready.”

Jobert held the door open. “The blue parlor, my lady.”

It appeared the household knew what was going on. “Thank you, Jobert.”

Eleanor made her way to the room that was halfway between the breakfast room and Matt’s study. When she reached the door she paused and took a deep breath. The next few minutes would decide the rest of her life. Slowly, she reached out and lifted the latch, opening the door. Montagu stood with his back to the room staring out the window.

He turned around when she stepped into the room. “Thank God you have come.” He strode forward, stopping just a foot or so away from her. He searched her face, his eyes pleading. It was all she could do not to run into his arms. But what he said now would define their lives. “Please forgive me.” His arms came up, as if he would reach out to her, then he dropped them. “I was terrified you could have been hurt or worse, but that is no excuse for the way I spoke to you. I was wrong.” His strong neck worked as he swallowed hard. “I promise you I will never attempt to forbid you anything. All I ask is that you tell me when you are doing something dangerous. Let me be a part of your schemes.” John took another step closer to her. “Please be my partner and allow me to be yours.”

Eleanor wanted to trust him. “Do you mean everything you said? Because if you do not, tell me now.”

“I mean every word from the bottom of my soul.”

This time she searched his face, his eyes, but all she could see was his love for her. “Yes. I will be your partner.”

He drew her into his arms and tears flooded her eyes. “I was so angry and so sad at the same time.”