The fourth too, the white circle larger still. And with some indiscernible image within it.
The fifth… The image within was larger…
And discernible.
He swallowed. Miss Nash had said to trust his eyes. But he closed them.
Oh, Verity.
His precious beautiful young Verity.
Where had you been that night? What had you seen?
Miles felt watched.
So he cast an eye to the second floor’s landing rug, and a brown cat, his plume of tail tucked with military neatness about his paws, amber eyes unblinking.
With a linen bag from the art studio’s wardrobe in hand, Miles kneeled. “Evening, good sir, is this where I might find Verity’s bedchamber? Hmm?”
“The end door,” it replied.
“Forgive me, madam, I assumed you to be a chap.”
“I am.”
Miles straightened, only to find himself confronted by Verity’s aunt. “Ah.” He shuffled his boots as prowling for a lady’s bedchamber was hardly defensible conduct. “Forgive me, Miss Hamilton.” And he gave a rather wooden bow. “And cat.”
Her lips twitched. “This fellow is Colonel Brandon. An old romantic but he still has what it takes, so beware.”
“I shall. I’m just…”
“I know, dear boy, Persephone told me. Be gentle.” She picked up the colonel. “But equally I would not be a dutiful chaperone – which I’m not – if I didn’t warn you that if Verity is hurt in any way, the colonel here will feel honour bound to demand recompense.” The cat purred.
“I shall of course be gentle, Miss Hamilton.”
With a nod, she continued to the stairs, conversing softly with the cat about second chances, and Miles breathed deep.
Two score and ten candles, it seemed, lit his way to the end door where he came to a halt.
For a long while, did nothing.
Then peered once more into the linen bag clutched in his hand.
Closed his eyes.
And, with all gentleness, raised one knuckle to the bedchamber door and tapped.
23
“ROUGH WINDS DO SHAKE THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY.”
(W. SHAKESPEARE)
Verity knew it was Miles by the overtly strident male knock.
So she sat bolt upright in bed, drew the night robe tight against her neck and bade him and Sephi enter.
It was time to end all this nonsense of kisses and flowers for it only twisted her heart and gave false hope.
