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She stretched. “Thank goodness. I desperately need to sleep for a few hours at least. Do you have any more blankets?”

He crossed to a small closet in the corner of the room and retrieved two serviceable blankets, stacking them on the ancient settee. “These are not elegant, but they will keep you warm.”

“And for you? What will keep you warm?”

He motioned to the hearth. “I can sleep on the floor beside the fire. I am used to sleeping wherever I can lay my head, and a fire is luxury enough for me.”

“I am well aware how well you can sleep without comfort.” She held out one of the blankets to him. “Take one, and I can sleep on the ground, as it is your home.”

“I learned from our first adventure that you do not sleep on a hard surface very well.” He flung the blanket wide, spreading it on the floorboards. “You talked in your sleep too. I’m not sure I will get much sleep, even if I’m not on the floor.”

She rolled back her shoulders. “I have changed much since then.”

“But the talking will never cease. Sleep on the settee for both of our sakes, please.” He led her to the piece of furniture.

She laughed softly and curled up on the settee that had been left from the previous owners. Within moments her soft snores filled the room.

Lord, what am I to do? Should I release my calling as a Yeoman of the Guard?

Guide me. He rolled to his side and studied her face in the flickering firelight.

He gave up trying to sleep after a half hour, and by noon he’d had an errand boy return the milk cart to its owner while he prepared a feast of his entire supply, packed his few belongings, bought two ready-made gowns that he thought might work for his women, and procured a private coach to arrive by one of the clock before waking Evie.

She was thrilled to change and even gave him a peck on the cheek in thanks that sent his heart to soaring.

He left Brigand tied to the coach, as he knew the trip to Bath would be arduous since Grandmother had already been through more than any lady should bear.

It was hard seeing such a strong woman weakened from circumstances, but with Evie’s gentle, comforting hand, Grandmother rested off and on the entirety of the trip.

He could have pushed the coach to finish the drive in a single day, but he decided, in the end, that he needed to take it slower for Grandmother’s sake.

At the inn at the halfway point, he ordered two rooms and nearly regretted doing so, as it separated him from Evie.

But he supposed he had better distance himself, lest the sudden break crush him if she refused to allow him to live with her in Bath.

Vivienne suppressed a yawn as the coach halted before her terrace home. With the need to house the servants, Tess, and her new family for a few nights at least, she knew it would feel much smaller than it had when she had lived here with her father.

When Ladd opened the door, Vivienne sighed in relief that they had made it safely despite Alden’s fury.

But with Bash at her side, she felt that she would have been protected no matter what.

She nodded to the butler and handed the hideous bonnet that dear Bash had purchased for her journey to Brexton, who was waiting just inside. “Where is Miss Hale?”

The footman bowed and extended her a folded note. “Apparently she departed late last night. She left a note for you, my lady.”

She frowned and read the note. Called away. Love, Tess.

“Hardly a note at all.” She shook her head at Tess’s habit of writing only the barest of letters. At least the guest room is now free. She would eventually have to sort through Father’s things to free that room as well, but not yet. “Please see Mrs. Larkby to the green room.”

He bowed and extended his arm to Grandmother.

Her shoulders stooped from the exhaustion of the drive, but Grandmother gave Brexton a brilliant smile. “And who are you, my handsome fellow?”

Vivienne waved Bash into the parlor. “I suppose we need to make our plan now that we have some privacy.”

He cleared his throat. “Yes. I’ve thought of little else.”

“I too.” She pulled the bell cord before recalling that the footman was upstairs. “Have a seat please.”

He pulled at his neckcloth.

“It is unbearably hot, is it not?” She moved to the windows, struggling with the latch.

“Allow me.” He stood behind her, arms on either side of her as he moved to assist her in opening the window.

She turned, intending to move away so he could better open the window, and found his head inclined toward her, their lips nearly touching.

The draw to close the distance between them was nearly palpable.

“Evie,” he breathed, his arms still on either side of her.

Her eyes moved upward to focus on his golden-flecked ones. “Yes?”

“I find myself questioning our latest arrangement.”

Her heart skipped. “Oh?”

“I vowed to you that I would not waver, that I would not ask for more nor abandon you. I will ask but this once. I have no wish to part from you. I’ve decided I will retire from my position as Yeoman of the Guard.

I have been thinking of St. Luke’s and where we found Grandmother.

I am not certain how yet, but I want us to find a way to help those poor souls inside—I was thinking to take a page out of Telford’s book and become a barrister and give a voice to those who need it most. Until I can earn that position, I have savings enough to provide for us here in Bath.

I want to live as a true husband and wife and build a life with you—to have children with you.

” He lifted her hands to his lips. “Do you dream what I dream?”

A single word flitted to her lips, desperate for escape. How much her life could change in an instant. She could keep her first dream of a quiet life, or she might choose adventure with Bash. “Unequivocally.”

He drew her into his arms, pulling her up against him. His lips found hers, gentle at first, then growing more passionate with each passing moment. She melded into him, kissing her knight again and again, never wanting this moment to end. And now it did not have to.