She wanted to see the Earl, she wanted so much to be with him, but she knew that it was going to be hard not to reveal her gladness and her love for him.
Things must now be different between them, she thought.
She had loved him before it was true, but without realising it. What was love she had believed to be friendship.
Now the truth made her inexplicably shy and yet overwhelmingly excited.
She turned the handle of the door and entered.
The room was bathed in the afternoon sunshine and fragrant with the scent of the roses arrayed in great bowls on nearly every table.
The Earl was standing looking out of the window.
As she entered, he turned towards her and she saw him against a background of glory.
She had forgotten, she thought, how tall, broad-shouldered and overwhelming he was.
