Free Lady Henrietta's Dilemma: Regency Suspense Romance Book 2 (Lords of Sussex) by Katy Walters Page B

love his future wife either. To him, love was just false sentiment.
    She raised herself up in the bed, as David entered, carrying a small tray of tea and biscuit aux fruits confits. ‘Pray to partake of these before you dress.  Now are you sure, you will not stay for dinner? I am stalling chef at the moment.’
    ‘No my lord, I surely could not.  I know that Lord Vaughan is on his way, and I must be at the apartment when he arrives.’
    Quietly, he set the tray on her lap, adjusting the rose in the small silver vase. ‘A rose for a rose, my sweet.’
    Sitting beside the bed, he took her hand. Stroking the blue veined skin, he raised it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles softly. Putting it down on the eiderdown, he sighed. ‘My dear, I must talk with you before you leave. I know you insist on returning to your apartment, but I want you to know that you will always have a home with me.’ He paused,  his chocolate brown eyes clouding, ‘I have more than a tendre for you m’dear, I love you Esther; I can hardly believe it in such a short time, but we have shared much together in the last few days, and now my heart hurts at the thought of you leaving.’
    Seeing his scar tighten, lifting his lip, Esther's voice faltered. ‘My lord, really —’
    ‘Please Esther, call me David. Just for once, relent. I would like to hear it on your lips. I shall treasure it.’
    Esther bit her lip, as tears filled her eyes, she did not want to leave him; she would miss his kindness his love, but she could not admit to loving him. ‘David,’ she said tremulously, ‘I wish I could return your love , for surely you deserved to be loved by better than I.   However, I cannot offer you that.’ Reaching out, she lightly stroked the scar with the tip of her finger.
    He caught her hand, and kissed the palm, ‘Just say you care my love – that will be enough for me.’
    ‘Yes, I do care David. I am so sad to leave this lovely home and you. I know not that I shall receive such tenderness again. However, I cannot be disloyal to Vaughan. He saved me when all was lost, when I was enslaved to a terrible tyrant.’
    The viscount bowed his head, and pressed her hand it to his forehead. ‘I know, and I respect you for that.  However, heed me dear lady.  You only have to send word, and I will fly to your side.
    He sat up, and from his finger removed his heavy gold ring embedded with a glowing ruby. He put it in the palm of her hand, and closed her fingers over it. ‘Please take this. If you do send for me, then have your emissary show this ring.’
    Esther opened her fingers to gaze at the ring gleaming in her hand. She could feel the warmth of his own hand from it. ‘I can’t this is —’
    ‘Please Esther – keep it with you.’
    She sat higher, and leaned towards him, kissing his brow.  ‘Dear David – thank you for your solicitude. I owe you so much,’ she murmured, stroking back the black curls from his forehead.
    He managed a grin. ‘Come on, have your tea and confits. Then we shall see about getting you home. By the way, little Lily is downstairs with Lottie.  I shall miss her, you know.  In fact, I shall get a spaniel for myself. It will remind me of you.’
    ‘I remind you of a dog?’ Esther giggled. ‘David, you certainly know how to praise a woman.’
    ‘I must confess to not being an expert with words, m’dear.’  Smiling, he ruffled her hair, and rose from his seat, towering over her, his broad muscled shoulders, filling out the superfine frockcoat. ‘I will leave you now to see to the carriage.’
    Esther raised her voice. ‘Before you go out David, I remember the poor maid who dropped the tray.  Do you know if she retained her position?’
    ‘No I don’t – if it pleases you, I will find out.’
    ‘Thank you – I really do want to help. I would be horrified to think she is without work and money.’ Yet as she spoke, she shivered; she too could be homeless within a few days.  Maybe, she should