Passion for the Game(93)
“Not so well,” she admitted, resuming her seat with him beside her. Christopher had returned to his home to change his garments and make arrangements for the advent of any news of Amelia. Maria waited at her residence, unwilling to leave in case she missed word sent to her here. She’d wanted to gather a team and venture out in search, but Christopher had begged her to allow him to manage that part of the affair and offered several excellent reasons why. In the end, she had relented, albeit reluctantly. “I cannot help but worry.”
“I know,” he soothed, stroking the back of her hand. “I wish I could be of more help.”
“Your presence alone is of great comfort to me.”
“Ah, but I am slightly de trop, yes?”
“Never. You will always have a place of prominence in my life.” Maria took a deep breath. “St. John has asked me to wed him.”
“Wise man.” Simon smiled. “I wish you great happiness. I know of no one who deserves it more than you.”
“You, too, deserve to be happy.”
“I am content, mhuirnín. Truly. At the present moment, my life is perfect.” Simon grinned and settled more comfortably in the brocade-covered seat. “So, tell me, how much time do I have before I must leave you?”
“You are not going anywhere. I want you to keep this house. You have happy memories here, yes?”
“The happiest of my life.”
Maria’s eyes stung, and she swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Once I have Amelia, we plan to go away. Travel. See all the places that were kept from me while I was in service to Welton. I hope the adventure will help rebuild the bond Amelia and I once shared.”
“I think that is a fine idea.”
“I will miss you terribly,” she lamented, her lower lip quivering.
Simon lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “I will be here for you always, for whatever you may need. This is not the end. For you and me, there will never be an end.”
“And I will always be here for you,” she whispered.
“I know.”
She blew out her breath. “So you will take the house?”
“No. I will maintain it for you. Fortuitously,” he continued, smiling, “this is the perfect location for my new appointment under Lord Eddington.”
Maria’s mouth fell open. “He lured you into the agency?”
“Not quite. He anticipates some matters of delicacy that would best be handled by someone with less scruples than most.”
“Dear God.” Her hand lifted to brush along his cheek. “Be careful, please. You are a member of my family. I could not bear it if something untoward were to befall you.”
“I request the same level of care from you. Take no risks.”
She held out her hand. “We have an agreement, then.”
He tilted his head in a slight bow, captured her proffered hand, and held it to his heart. “A lifetime pact.”
“So tell me,” her lips curved, “what does Eddington have in mind for you?”
“Well, here are his thoughts . . .”
Maria paced the length of her lower parlor and cursed under her breath. Unable to resist, she stared at the weary and travel-dusty man in the corner and felt almost as if she would faint.
“Excellent work,” Christopher was telling him, once again praising the man for saving Amelia from those who sought to take her.
The next Maria knew, her lover’s hands were on her shoulders. “Maria? Are you ready?”
Her gaze lifted to his.
Christopher smiled down at her, his eyes soft and adoring. “Sam rode ahead once they reached the outskirts of London. The party with Amelia will be arriving shortly.”
She managed a jerky nod.
“You are so pale.”
Her hand went to her throat. “I am afraid.”
“Of what?” He pulled her closer to him.
“Of believing that she is coming, of believing this is the end.” Tears welled, then flowed freely.
“I understand.” Christopher stroked the length of her spine soothingly. Simon approached from his position at the window and offered both a handkerchief and a comforting smile.
“What if she does not like me? What if she resents me?”
“Maria, she will love you,” Christopher soothed. “There is no help for it.”
Simon nodded. “No help for it at all. She will adore you, mhuirnín.”
They all heard the rap of the door knocker. Maria tensed. Christopher released her and moved to a position at her side, his hand offering support at the small of her back. Simon moved to the door.
It took forever, it seemed, before another travel-stained lackey entered. Maria held her breath. A moment later a smaller body appeared. Dressed in a gown far too large for her young frame, Amelia paused hesitantly inside the threshold. Her green eyes, so like Welton’s but filled with innocence, took in everything around her with rapt attention. Her gaze locked on Maria and roamed the length of her, so curious and wary. Maria did the same, noting all of the differences time had wrought in the many years they had been apart.