He said none of those things, of course, as he gave her the flower, opting instead for, “This is for you.”

Her eyes grew wide and her lips parted. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, holding it up in the moonlight. “I’ve never seen a rose quite like this. Did you find it in Lady Rufflebum’s garden?”

He shook his head. “It’s from Warshire Manor.”

“You have a garden?” she asked, as if he’d piqued her curiosity.

“I’m not certain you could call it a garden. More like a wasteland. A colorless collection of dead bushes and shriveled flowers.”

“But this rose,” she said, twirling the stem between her fingertips.

“It was the only blossom on the bush. Probably the one living thing in the whole damned place.”

“Truly?” she asked, intrigued.

He took a step closer, determined to memorize the gentle slope of her nose and the bowed shape of her lips. He didn’t blame her for refusing to help him. But if he wasn’t ever going to see her again, he might as well leave her with the truth. “In a sea of decay and death, that rose was a stubborn spot of sunshine—and it reminded me of you.”

He shoved his hands deep in his pockets and swallowed a mouthful of despair and loneliness. Tried not to think about the endless days and torturous nights that stretched out before him. He inclined his head and said, “Enjoy the rest of your evening,” before turning on his heel and striding away.

He’d almost reached Lady Rufflebum’s back gate when he heard Miss Kendall call out behind him. “Reese. Wait.”

He froze, wondering if he’d wished her voice into his ears. But when he slowly spun around, she was standing there, her chest rising and falling with each breath.

“I still don’t believe that I can help you sleep,” she said, “but I’m willing to try.”

A tiny seed of hope took root inside him. “Thank you,” he said, his voice ragged to his own ears.

Her deep sigh said she was already regretting her decision. “Meet me at the shop on Friday. The same time as last week,” she said smoothly. “We’ll discuss the terms of our … arrangement then.”

“Very well. I look forward to seeing you. On Friday.” He was already counting the hours. “Good night, Miss Kendall.”

She looked down at the yellow rose she held and smiled in spite of herself. “Good night.” He remained standing there, watching as she gracefully turned and walked toward the house. When she glanced back at him, it felt like the sun had peeked through the clouds. “Oh, and Reese?” she said, as if she’d almost forgotten something. Something important.

His heart hammered. “Yes?”

“You may call me Sophie.” She shot him a dazzling smile before she disappeared into the night like a nymph leaving the mortal world for her mystical realm.

Chapter 6