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‘Then I’d be delighted.’ She slipped the card into her reticule and then reached up impulsively to press a kiss to the lawyer’s cheek. ‘Good evening, Mr Rowlinson, and thank you. You’re completely forgiven for everything.’
* * *
Lance looked across the ballroom and frowned. His wife was dancing with Robert Felstone. He ought not to be jealous. It was ridiculous to be jealous and not just because Robert was clearly besotted with his own wife, Violet’s best friend. Not because Violet was looking so happy in his company either. Not even because, damn it all, he actually liked the man. He was jealous simply because someone else was dancing with his wife while he stood on the sidelines watching. She looked vibrant and glowing and, as he seemed unable to stop repeating, beautiful, like a long-dormant rosebud blossoming in the sunshine. She’d faced up to her fears and triumphed. Beautiful was the only word for her.
He flexed his leg muscles tentatively and grimaced. Damn this injury. If it weren’t for his bullet wound, he would happily have danced with Violet all night, never mind the gossip. Damn his injury, damn the man who’d shot him and double damn the woman who’d caused it.
He gave a start of surprise. He’d never allowed himself to feel anger about the events or people connected with his injury before, only guilt and an intense sense of self-loathing. The feeling was strangely liberating, as if he’d taken some kind of step forward. Maybe Violet was right and he had finally punished himself enough to move on, to seize a second chance at happiness. Even if he didn’t deserve her, could he allow himself to be happy? Could they be happy together?
He wasn’t sure when exactly he’d fallen in love, though he suspected it was the moment he’d seen her standing on the station platform a month ago and the feeling had only got stronger every day since. Had it really only been a month? That meant only another six years and ten months before he could actually touch her, before he could...
He stopped the thought before he could finish it. No matter what he wanted, or how badly he wanted it, it wasn’t his place to suggest any change to their domestic arrangements. They’d made a bargain—at his suggestion. He couldn’t renege on it now, not unless she wanted to. Did she? He’d had the distinct impression on a couple of occasions over the past month that she might, but what if he was wrong?
If he was, then that kind of mistake could ruin everything between them. He’d likely scare her away for ever. Never mind the fact that if they were going to have a real marriage then he’d have to tell her the whole truth about himself and his injury—he owed her that much—and there was no way he wanted to do that. Better to be celibate for ever than have her despise him.
‘You know, my husband’s a good judge of character.’
Ianthe Felstone appeared at his shoulder and he twisted around in surprise. It was the first time she’d spoken to him since the wedding.
‘Is that so?’
‘Yes, and he likes you. It’s not easy to admit when we’ve been in the wrong, Captain Amberton, but in this case I’m pleased to do so. You make Violet happy.’
He felt a lurch in his chest. ‘I hope so.’
‘I know so. I was afraid that if she married you, she’d be just as trapped and unhappy as she was before. I expected the worst, but you’ve brought out the best in her.’
‘That wasn’t me.
I just gave her the freedom to find out who she was.’
‘But you set her free. A lot of men wouldn’t have. I should have known better than to believe all the gossip about you. I’m sorry.’
She held out a hand and he bowed over it. ‘Don’t be sorry. You were protecting your friend. She deserves to be happy.’
‘And loved.’ She gave him a searching look. ‘It’s funny, but when I came over here you looked very much like a man in love with his wife. I’m lucky enough to know what that looks like. I want Violet to know it, too, but I’m afraid she might not recognise the emotion when she sees it. She hasn’t had a great deal of affection in her life. It’s entirely possible she might need you to tell her how you feel.’
He opened his mouth to deny it and then reconsidered. ‘It’s not so easy. We made an agreement.’
‘Ah.’ Ianthe took a small sip of lemonade. ‘You know, my marriage to Robert was complicated, too, at the start. I should have told him how I felt about him a long time before I did, but I had a secret and I didn’t want him to find out and regret marrying me. I was afraid.’ She gave him a smile that held more than a hint of challenge. ‘Of course, that’s where you’re fortunate, Captain Amberton. The one thing I never took you for was a coward.’
Chapter Sixteen
‘That was wonderful.’
Violet spread her arms wide and twirled along the upstairs corridor, humming softly to herself as they made their way slowly to bed.
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it.’ Lance followed behind, watching in amusement.
‘Didn’t you?’
‘Yes, surprisingly enough. It was a triumph, thanks to you.’
‘And you.’ She tipped her head back and gave him an upside-down smile. ‘Both of us.’
‘Because I managed not to lose my temper with anyone and spoil the evening like five years ago?’
She clucked her tongue reprovingly. ‘You were the perfect gentleman. Never mind all my disappointed suitors, I believe a fair number of ladies were quite devastated to find you off the marriage market as well.’
