I beg you to forgive me for lying to you. I have wanted to tell you so many times, but it never seemed to be the right moment, and then I’d fallen so deeply in love with you, I’m ashamed to say I didn’t have the courage to speak out. I was terrified you would end things between us, and I didn’t want to lose you.

But now there is a very real chance that I may not come back, and I didn’t want to die with such a deception on my conscience – or to have you discover after I’m gone that I was untruthful to you.

I love and admire you so much that there are no words to express it. I know you were reluctant to show your feelings for me because of Philip and the promises you made to him before you left Singapore, and I’m sorry that in my pursuit of you, I must have caused you some distress as well as a good deal of heart-searching. It was never my aim to make you choose between us, but I lived in hope that you would turn to me – and after our last meeting, I dared to believe that my love is reciprocated, and that we are meant to be together.

I so wish things were different, my sweet Sarah. Your loyalty to Philip is admirable, and I deeply regret making things difficult for you – but I will never regret loving you.

I won’t write again until you reply to this, for you’ll need time to absorb what I have done, which I hope most sincerely you find it in your heart to forgive. And should you decide not to, then despite my broken heart, I will understand.

I send a kiss and a prayer that we will meet again – if not in this life, then perhaps the next.

Ever yours,

Delaney

Sarah’s hands were trembling as she read through it again. It was a beautiful letter, written with such feeling that she could almost hear his quiet, drawling voice in every word. She could just about understand why he’d lied – even though it did seem a very silly thing to do – but it was difficult to accept that he’d kept silent for so long. Why hadn’t he said something during those precious few hours they’d spent together recently? Surely it must have been clear that she’d given him her heart?

‘Oh, Delaney, how I wish you were here,’ she murmured. ‘Of course I forgive you. How can I not when I love you so?’