Page 91 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

‘There is more.’

They crossed to the South Walk to admire the triumphal arches. As they walked, the sound of music once more floated across the gardens.

They wandered in the opposite direction admiring the statues, groves and piazzas as they went.

At the end of the South Walk the lanterns ended, though the walk continued to the right and left.

‘The infamous dark walk,’ Damian said.

‘Infamous?’

He chuckled, led her a short way along the walk where the trees seemed to close over them and she could barely see a hand in front of her face. He pulled her close and kissed her.

Deeply, sweetly and somehow full of longing.

Carried away on his passion, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

Finally, he drew back, his breathing heavy, his voice husky. ‘You see? Infamous.’

She laughed at his nonsense. ‘I think it is you who is infamous. The walk is quite innocent.’

He tipped her chin with a fingertip. ‘I wish you were wrong.’

She frowned and peered at his expression, but already he was leading her back to the lit path.

When they returned to the grove, a waiter handed them glasses of champagne and the singer performed for them once more.

‘One last dance, my darling girl, and then we must go.’

‘One more,’ she agreed.

One turned into two and then three. And then it really was time to leave.

They strolled hand in hand back to their waiting carriage.

‘I think that is the best evening of my life,’ Pamela said, when they climbed aboard and she was wrapped in his arms.

‘I am glad,’ Damian murmured against her hair. ‘You deserve it. I—’

She waited for him to finish.

‘I wish I could do more,’ he said finally.

‘You have done a great deal for me,’ she said. ‘I cannot believe I made enough money to actually buy a house so close to the shore. It is a dream come true. And it is all thanks to you. I shall never forget your kindness.’

‘You may not think that way, once we part,’ he said. ‘But I hope, in time, you will remember this evening with some sort of pleasure.’

His voice was full of regret.

‘I don’t understand.’

‘You will.’

Back at the town house, he escorted her upstairs and they made love, slowly and with great tenderness.

She realised as he got up and left her room that this had been his way of saying goodbye.

She tried not to cry.