The syringa in one of the vases was dropping and she thought as she looked down at the petals scattered on the polished table that they were like tears.
Then she told herself it was foolish to think of such things, trying to remember that when the Earl came to say goodbye she must control her feelings and not to add to his unhappiness.
It was a long time later when she was wondering what was happening upstairs that the door opened and the Earl came in.
He was looking magnificent, as she had expected he would, and for the moment she could only stare at him as he stood in the doorway feeling her voice had died in her throat.
Then he closed the door and came towards her saying,
“I knew you would be here.”
“I-I was – waiting for – you.”
“And thinking of me?”
“How could I – think of – a
