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difficulty to put one foot in front
     of the other, knowing she would be next to take his hand. When she reached the vehicle,
     he turned to face her.
    “You will be sailing back to Petersbourg soon?” she asked.
    “Yes, in the next day or so, otherwise I would pay a call to your brothers at St.
     James’s. Do give them my regards.”
    “I will, and I wish you a safe voyage.”
    “And you as well, upon your return.” He never took his eyes off hers as he held out
     his hand.
    Rose tried not to make too much of the shivery sensations she experienced when her
     gloved fingers slid across his palm. A few heart-pounding seconds later, she was settling
     into the seat and watching him in the doorway, wondering what was left to say. So
     much, it seemed, yet the only appropriate word was good-bye.
    “It was a pleasure meeting you, Your Grace,” he said to the dowager. “Perhaps one
     day you will visit Petersbourg. If so, I would be honored to entertain you at Cavanaugh
     Manor.”
    “Oh!” she exclaimed with a leaping thrill in her voice. “You are too kind, sir! Be
     warned, however, I may take you up on your offer, and then you will never be rid of me!”
    He smiled at her with those dazzling blue eyes that had the power to seduce any woman
     alive, and Rose had no choice but to look away, for it was that very smile that had
     stirred her blood the first time they met. It was blinding, almost too painful to
     behold.
    “Safe trip,” he said.
    “And the same to you, Lord Cavanaugh,” the dowager replied.
    It was time for him to close the door. “Good day, Your Highness,” he said with a gentlemanly
     bow. Then he shut the door and shouted, “Onward, Samson!”
    The coach jolted into motion and Rose couldn’t help herself. She whirled around and
     stretched her body to look out the tiny back window, just for one last view of him.
    Suddenly her whole being flooded with panic.
    Perhaps it was a mistake to marry Joseph. Perhaps this was the only man she would
     ever desire and she would never truly be over him.
    Leopold remained standing on the road outside the inn, watching the coach grow distant.
    He must have seen her in the window, for he raised a hand to wave good-bye.
    All at once, she was overcome by an uncontrollable urge to weep. Good Lord. What was
     wrong with her?
    “What a remarkable man.” The dowager sighed. “So capable and handsome. He is a dream,
     is he not? How is it possible that he is not yet married? Is he looking for a wife,
     do you know?”
    The coach traveled down a hill, and Leopold disappeared from view.
    Rose turned on the seat to face front. She felt slightly nauseous and was quite certain
     she had gone completely pale. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Is he married?” the dowager asked. “Because I have a few granddaughters who would
     most definitely find him very appealing. I am quite sure my son would send us all
     to Petersbourg in a heartbeat if there was the smallest chance we could capture the
     marquess for one of them.”
    Rose carefully pulled off the glove that concealed her swollen wrist and massaged
     the tender flesh. “I am afraid he is already pledged to someone, Your Grace, though
     I do not believe they have met yet.”
    “What a shame,” the dowager said. “I do hope this young woman will appreciate how
     very fortunate she is.”
    Rose glanced up. “I am sure she will. The very moment she lays eyes on him.”
    “Indeed,” the dowager replied with a chuckle. “I daresay she will lay more than just
     her eyes on him when she discovers his many charms. I wonder who she is? What does
     she look like?”
    Rose gazed out the window at the passing landscape and imagined what her life might
     be like now if that woman had never been born. “I really wish I knew.”

 
    Chapter Five
    It was past dark when Leo’s coach rolled up in front of the house in Lambeth where
     his father was plotting the long-awaited overthrow of the Sebastian monarchy. Leo
     knew,