When they arrived at Warshire Manor a short time later, Reese led her into the house and stopped in the dimly lit, marble-tiled foyer. As always, the sight of the stonework and buttresses filled her with awe.

“Would you like something to eat?” he asked. “There are sandwiches, fruit, and cakes in the kitchen.”

She shook her head. “Thank you, but I ate an early dinner. Help yourself if you’d like something, though.”

“No, I’m fine.” He hesitated a moment, then frowned. “I’m sorry. I don’t have any entertaining diversions or romantic surprises planned tonight.”

“Reese,” she said gently. “I adored our night in the garden and on the lake. But I also loved playing cards with you at the shop. You don’t need to amuse me. I just like … being with you.”

“I like being with you too,” he said earnestly. “Maybe too much.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “How have you been sleeping this week?” she asked briskly. Between his bronzed skin, gold-flecked hair, and strapping muscles, he certainly looked well enough. But the creases around his eyes suggested that the demons were never very far below the surface.

“You changed the subject,” he said. “Usually, I’m the one who avoids difficult conversations. I must be rubbing off on you.”

“You’re right.” But she wasn’t certain how to tell him about the latest developments at home or the necessity of having to move up her engagement. Her relationship with Reese was like a tropical flower that was just about to bloom; the news that she had to marry sooner than expected would kill it as surely as a late spring frost. All she could do was pray that the flower was heartier than it appeared.

“We do need to talk. Would you mind if I went to my bedchamber and changed first?” she asked. “You could join me there in a few minutes.”

“I’ll bring up a tray of refreshments,” he said nodding. “In case talking makes us hungry.”

She tossed a smile over her shoulder and made her way upstairs to her room.

Chapter 18

Once inside her bedchamber, Sophie unlaced her dress, wriggled out of it, and removed all her undergarments. Then she slipped a soft, airy nightgown over her head and splashed cool water from the washbasin on her face.

Slowly, the worries about her family, Violet, and Lord Singleton receded, lingering in the back corners of her mind. Tonight was about making the most of her time with Reese—and seeing if there was any chance that their feelings could blossom into something lasting and true.

Sophie sat at a small vanity and began removing the pins from her hair. When at last it hung loose down her back, she retrieved the hairbrush from her portmanteau and methodically untangled her curls until they slid through her fingers like silk.