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While I never told him, he clearly sensed my
distress because he informed me he didn’t wish to return to Eton.
He wanted to remain in the country with me and be taught by private
tutors. He wouldn’t admit that my melancholy was the reason, but of
course it was. That was the moment I realized I had to fix
myself--for my son’s benefit as much as my own.”
    “ So you traveled to
Scotland.”
    “ Yes. I promised Edward
that if he would focus on his studies at Eton, I would return the
mother he’d known before Robert’s death. I had no idea how I
intended to keep that vow, but I was determined to do so. Pure
chance led me to Melrose. For reasons I didn’t fully understand, I
omitted my title when registering at the inn there. Looking back, I
suppose I was trying to recapture the happy, carefree days of my
youth, before I became an heiress, and was sought after for my
fortune.”
    “ Not very pleasant--being
wanted primarily because of your wealth.”
    “ No, it’s not,” she
agreed. “So, in Melrose, I was merely Sophia Mallory. Eager to
explore, I went for a walk as soon as I arrived. I wandered into a
beautiful meadow and picked a handful of roses. Holding those
flowers, feeling the warmth of such a lovely day, it suddenly felt
as if something inside me shifted--like a dark cloud dissipating so
the sun could shine through. A joy I hadn’t felt since before
Robert’s death bubbled up inside me. I spun around in pure delight,
feeling free in a way I hadn’t since I was a girl. And when I
stopped spinning, I saw you. I considered telling you my title, but
when you confirmed you were the groundskeeper, I changed my mind. A
groundskeeper wouldn’t chat so informally with a countess, and I
had no desire to end our conversation. By the end of our walk
through the garden I knew I wanted us to become lovers.”
    His lips twitched. “I’m heartbroken it took
you that long to realize it. I knew the instant I laid eyes on
you.”
    “ I still considered
telling you, but after a few weeks with you in the cottage, my
title simply ceased to matter. I loved the simplicity of our
existence. Loved being simply Sophia. I knew I’d have to return to
my world, but until that time, I didn’t want anything of my life in
England to intrude on my happiness. Because Ian, I was truly happy.
I never thanked you properly, so I hope you’ll accept my gratitude
now.”
    “ Then why did you leave?
And so abruptly?”
    “ When you mentioned me
staying longer than the two months I’d planned, it burst the bubble
surrounding me. I realized I’d inadvertently led you to believe our
arrangement could continue for an extended duration. It seemed too
late to tell you the truth, yet I couldn’t bring myself to lie to
you any longer. That last night, it became clear that your feelings
for me were stronger than I’d ever anticipated them becoming.” She
drew a deep breath, then added, “As were my feelings for
you.”
    Fire and something that looked alarmingly
like hope kindled in his eyes. He lifted her hands to his lips and
gently kissed the backs of her fingers. “You’ve no idea how glad I
am to hear of these strong feelings for me, Sophia.”
    Before she could tell him that he shouldn’t
be glad, that those feelings were impossible, the carriage jerked
to a halt.
    “ We have arrived,” Ian
said softly.
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Sophia halted just inside the drawing room.
“What’s all this?” she asked, sweeping her arm toward the round
table set before the hearth where a cheery fire crackled.
    Ian assessed the table with a critical eye
and was pleased to note his instructions to the staff had been
perfectly carried out during his absence. “A surprise. For
you.”
    She walked across the room then slowly
circled the table. “Roses, cherries, marzipan, scones and raspberry
marmalade,” she murmured, gently trailing her fingertips around the
polished wood edge. “All my--“
    “ Favorite things. Aye.”
Ian leaned against