He put up his hand and gave a quick shake of his head. It was a simple gesture, yet refined. Linnea realized that she had always noticed his effortless elegance; now, knowing his lineage, she understood so much more. She couldn’t see him without thinking of his title.

“I heard you’ve moved out of the loft?”

“Yes. I couldn’t stay there.”

“No. Of course. And where…?”

“I’m staying at Pandora’s. She offered.”

A wry smile passed her lips. “Of course she did.”

He looked at his hands.

She felt a new strain between them. His nervousness. In contrast, her calm.

“Gordon, I’m sorry. I see now that I’ve put you… and John… in an indefensible position this summer. I didn’t mean to. Honestly. I was just taking it day by day, like everyone else. Please believe me, I was so happy when you arrived. I have feelings for you. Very strong feelings.” She paused. “What I didn’t expect was that I still had feelings for John.” She glanced at him. He was still looking at his hands.

Gordon looked up and said, “When I arrived, did you know then?”

She shook her head. “I was more annoyed by my feelings for him. I honestly didn’t expect it to be an issue between us. We tried to be friends. And when I felt stronger feelings, I fought them. Truly, I did. But clearly, I failed. I apologize for that.”

Gordon’s silence spoke volumes.

“And maybe now,” she said, “you owe me an apology as well.”

His brows rose. “Me? What have I done?”

“You tell me, Lord Carr, Viscount of Rochester.”

Understanding flooded his face. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. After a minute he asked, “Pandora told you?”

“She didn’t tell you she had?”

He frowned. “No.”

“Don’t be mad at her. She was right to tell me. Gordon, you should have told me. Why didn’t you?”

He put out his hands. “I didn’t want to tell you precisely because you didn’t know.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I was surprised Pandora hadn’t told you back when we met. That’s when I swore her to secrecy. That sort of thing never gets hidden in the UK. One’s title follows one everywhere, clouding relationships, making people act false around you. It gets very old, I promise you. Then you came in like a breath of fresh air and took me for who I was. You were fascinated with my work. Not my title. Linnea, I fell in love with you. And I lived in fear that you would find out and it would change everything.”

“I did find out. And it does change everything.”

His face stilled. “Why?”

“You’re a viscount. Gordon, I didn’t even know what that was.”

He laughed and reached out to take her hand. “But that’s exactly why I love you. And I’m not a lord, by the way. My father is still alive. I’m a mere mister.”

“And the only son.”

“Linnea, it’s not all glamour like the movies make it out to be. My family is struggling to hang on to the property for taxes and expenses. We’re barely able to sustain the house.”