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W hen Brian finally lifted his head, breaking the kiss, their breathing was ragged.

He’d waited months to do that. He pushed a loose strand of hair away from Eunice’s lovely face.

She and her niece looked very much alike, with their golden hair and gray eyes.

Eunice’s complexion was still clear, but small lines had appeared around her eyes.

Her figure wasn’t that of a younger woman.

It was mature and soft in all the right places, which suited him just fine.

As soon as she was free of her responsibilities to her niece, he’d ask her to marry him.

“Eunice, I have enough wealth to command some of the elegancies of life, including residing in Town for the Season, if that is important to you. Please tell me I may court you.”

“I thought that is what we were doing,” she replied in a slightly breathy tone.

She linked her arm with his. “I would like that extremely, Brian.”

He had cleared that hurdle easily enough. Now he needed to know what Featherton was thinking. The sooner Lady Mary was settled, the sooner Eunice and he could be married. “I’ll escort you back to the house before I return to the rectory to change.”

As they retraced their way, Brian saw the young couple, though he supposed they wouldn’t appreciate being called that, in another section of the garden. “They appear to be getting along fairly well.”

“No doubt she told Mr. Featherton everything.”

Brian lifted a brow.

“That is Mary’s way. She is honest to a fault.” Eunice smiled. “She wouldn’t lie even to avoid a thrashing.”

“She must have been very uncomfortable here, forced to deceive everyone around her. ”

Eunice nodded. “At first, yes. Then, because the steward was so ill, she took over the estate management and has been much happier for being employed.”

“And what about you? Do you have a house? Do you want one?”

She had a contemplative look on her face.

“I have the dower house, but rarely reside there. As I said, most of the time I travel to visit my family and friends. At first it was an adventure, being able to go where I wished, whenever I wished it, yet since I’ve been here, I have realized how nice it is to wake up and always know where I am. ”

They reached the shallow stairs to the stone terrace at the back of the house. He said, “I’ve had my eye on a place on the outskirts of Rosebury. The home is an easy walk to the church. It does not compare to Rose Hill, but neither is it a small cottage.”

She gazed up, studying his face. “Perhaps we should take a look one day.”

“I’d like that.” He raised her hands to his lips. “I shall be back in time for dinner.”

Brian’s horse was quickly saddled, and he was on his way back to the small rectory. Now that he knew she had feelings for him, he was surprised at his eagerness to see Eunice again.

Mary left Mr. Featherton in the study where she kept the estate books.

He had asked to see them, and there was no reason why he shouldn’t.

They were his, after all. She could not believe how well he had behaved.

Would he remain here after she left? There was still a possible problem with Diana Brownly, but Mary would take Diana into her confidence and ask her to swear never to reveal the secret.

The girl would probably think it was romantic.

As for Gawain, Mary would hire armed footmen and never go anywhere alone.

She opened the door to her chamber and found Mathers frowning. “What is wrong?”

Mathers pointed to the door leading to the next room. “They are staying in there.”

Mary shook her head. “Who?”

“Mr. Featherton and his man.”

Mary stared at the solid carved oak door separating her room from the next.

She had completely forgotten that the master’s chamber was next to hers.

Why had she not realized that the servants would of course put him next to his “wife”?

She needed to come up with a reason to put him in the other wing or any place other than adjacent to her? “He must move.”

Mathers shook her head. “Not unless you want to cause talk.”

“But . . . but I cannot.” A roar started in Mary’s ears. “We are not married.”

Nor would they be. Not unless he went back to London and paid court to her. Despite how pleasant he’d been this afternoon, after he’d slighted her that Season, she was not inclined to simply fall into his arms.

Her maid crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s a shame Her Grace, your grandmother, is never around when her plans go to Hades.”

Especially this time. “Are you sure the door goes directly into his bedchamber?”

Mathers shrugged. “To be honest, I haven’t looked. The only time I saw the room I went in through the door to the corridor, but your dressing room is on the other side, so I assume his is, as well.”

“Find out to-morrow.” Mary couldn’t keep her eyes off the door. It was almost as if she expected him to walk through it at any moment. “I’ll keep it locked.”

“Only at night. I’ll make sure it’s unlocked by the time the maids get up here.”

She’d completely forgotten about that part of Mr. Featherton’s being here.

Who would believe she was still chaste? Everyone would .

. . will think they were acting as a married couple.

Well, perhaps not. After all, she’d not spoken one word about him since she arrived.

Still, his visit was going to cause a goodly amount of speculation, not only here but in Rosebury and the surrounding area.

She removed her hat and threw it on the bed. Oh, why couldn’t Lady Bellamny have waited another week or so to tell his father? Then Mary would have been gone, and where was Grandmamma? The Season had already begun. She should have been here by now.

Mary refused to have all her dreams destroyed. She would not be forced to marry anyone. What was she to do?

“Here, my lady. Let’s get you cleaned up and dressed for dinner. There’s nothing we can do about him being so close now.”

“You’re right.” She looked away from the door. Except leave as soon as possible .

After she had washed, she donned a turquoise silk evening gown trimmed with ivory lace. A year old, but it was still in good condition. She wondered if her London modiste had completed her order for this year yet. Mathers threaded ribbon in the same color blue as the gown through her hair.

Mary clasped a single strand of pearls around her neck, then added the matching earrings. “The salmon and ivory shawl, I think.” She stood as her maid draped the shawl over her shoulders. “Perfect. I’m going to my aunt so that we can walk down together.”

Eunice would be able to help her figure out the problem with Mr. Featherton.

Mary had taken no more than five steps down the corridor to her aunt’s room when the door to the bathing chamber opened, and out stepped Mr. Featherton.

Though he wore a colorful silk banyan, he’d not fastened it all the way up, and a goodly portion of his chest stared her in the face.

Dark curly hair dusted the part of him on display.

He must not have been completely dry, as the fabric clung to his broad shoulders and hugged the rest of his body.

Mary’s mouth dried. Oh my! She’d never seen a man’s neck and chest before. Dragging her gaze up, she encountered his newly shaven chin and his mouth. For a moment, the corners of his well-shaped lips curved. Above his straight nose, his blue eyes darkened.

Oh dear. That was what was sleeping mere feet away from her. It wasn’t only his manners that were perfect. Flames shot up her neck into her face, and she tore her gaze away. Her words came out more as a croak. “You should give a signal, or be dressed more properly.”

Then, to her chagrin, she darted away.

Without knocking, she burst into her aunt’s room, closing the door as quickly as she could and leaning back against it.

“Good heavens, Mary, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” Eunice rose from the dressing table. “What is the matter?”

Mary’s heart raced. “M-Mr. Featherton.”

Eunice scowled. “If he touched you . . .”

“No no. He’d been bathing, and when I saw him .

. .” Mary began to feel a little foolish.

After all, she’d seen the Elgin Marbles.

Granted, they’d not been damp, and dark curls hadn’t adorned their bodies, making her want to reach out .

. . “It was just that part of his chest”—her face burned—“was—was naked. ”

Her aunt covered her mouth with a hand. Laughter lurked in her voice. “Only a part?”

She nodded. “I’m being silly, aren’t I?”

Eunice put her arm around Mary’s shoulders, leading her to a small sofa against one wall. “Maybe just a little. Though you’ve been kept very close and have not been exposed to many men. I’m sure it must have been a shock. Sit for a moment, and I’ll pour you a sherry.”

The astonishing part was how much she’d wished to touch him. She wanted to know what his chest felt like. Would it be hard or soft? Would the curls be silky or springy?

She raised the glass of sherry, taking a sip. How was she to go on with him at Rose Hill? His simple presence in the corridor seemed to have robbed all the surrounding air. “I’ll be fine in a few moments. I never expected to see him there.”

“Well, Mary, it is his house.”

“Yes, but it’s been my home!” And her safe haven. She blinked back the tears blurring her vision. She was the one who’d cared for it, and improved the property, and—and now none of that mattered. “Why isn’t Grandmamma here yet?”

Eunice sat while her maid finished dressing her hair. “She must have been held up. Until she arrives you will have to find a way to deal with Mr. Featherton.”

Mary took another sip of sherry. “If only I had more experience engaging with men rather than running from them.”