Sam walked in smiling and stood beside the bed. Noah sat up higher on the pillows. ‘I wondered where you’d disappeared to.’
‘I went to see Susannah. They have a son, who I suspect will be the very image of Raphael. Penny was with them. I must paint them together. They make a lovely family.’
‘But she’ll always be yours. That’ll never change.’ Noah raised his eyebrows, watching him pull off his shirt and begin unfastening his breeches. ‘Is this an invitation, Lad?’
‘It’s whatever you want it to be.’
‘Invitation it is, then.’
Afterwards, they lay side by side. Sam took a shuddering breath. ‘It’s so good to have you safely home.’ He looked up at the ceiling. ‘But now, it’s time to talk.’
Noah sighed. ‘Why? I’m sure Raphael’s told you–’
‘He told me you saved their lives in the storm … an
