She was trembling, overwhelmed both by the physicality and the knowledge that he loved her, loved her after all, and her knees gave way. He felt her weight, and, laughing, scooped her up and sat her upon the edge of a desk. He looked down at her face.

‘You are shaken. It shakes me too, Henry, how close I have been to losing you, how much I want you. It was your papa who told me I was a fool, sitting at home, pining. He saw what we did not, or thought we could not. They say love is blind, Henry, and I pretended I was blind.’

‘As did I,’ she whispered. ‘I have had fun in London, but oh, how I have dreaded where this is all meant to lead. At first I thought it was just that I wanted to go back to Papa, to the world in which I feel comfortable, and then I realised it was not just that, but that I could not imagine another man in my life, except you, Charles. I have been such a fool, and when I … I was angry with myself, Charles, but took it out on you and pushed you away. Forgive me, forgive me.’ Her hand went to his cheek and touched it. He pressed a kiss to the palm.

‘Nothing to forgive, my love. If you were a fool, then that makes a pair of us. I was so jealous of the London beaux, felt so inadequate, I got it all wrong, trying to make it right. The more I tried, the more I made a complete mess of things. I was trying to be what I am not, because you seemed different.’

‘And I am “just your Henry”.’

‘Not “just”, but “uniquely, gloriously, my Henry”.’

She laughed, and was suddenly shy. ‘We ought not … They will wonder.’

‘If they have not guessed then they are bigger fools than we have been, my darling.’

‘Charles.’

‘Yes?’

‘I was dreading Mr Newbold asking for my hand. I did not know how I would be able to refuse, when it seemed … And I think he does like me.’

‘If he is disappointed, I think he will get over it, you know, and that is what I could not do. It is why I have almost run after you this afternoon, fearing I was too late.’

‘You made it possible for Caroline to marry where her heart lies. You did that for me, yes?’

‘I … was involved. You may even say I set it in motion, but the credit lies elsewhere. One day, I will give you the full tale.’

‘One day?’

‘When we are married.’

‘Married.’ Henrietta sighed. ‘Will you write to Papa?’

‘I shall do better. I shall take you home to him for his blessing, and then … soon, Henry.’

She blushed.

‘The bridge may be open by now,’ she murmured, as he kissed beneath her ear.

‘Mm.’

‘And we will have missed the excitement.’