Page 54 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

Vi looked up at him and flashed a wicked smile, once again making him feel like he’d been hit in the head with a heavy blunt object. How had he spent so many years without realising this woman was the one he’d needed all along? God, what a fool he’d been. The idea that he might never have woken up, might never have come to his senses, struck him square in the chest, making him feel breathless and rather ill. He stopped in his tracks and turned to Vi, who stared up at him in alarm.

“Leo? Whatever is the matter? You’ve turned the ghastliest shade. You’re white as a milk pudding.”

“I love you,” he said urgently, holding her fingers too tightly. “You do know that, don’t you, Vi?”

Vi gazed at him as if he’d lost his mind, and then glanced around her at the passersby, who were staring at them with interest. “Leo, are you quite well?” she murmured under her breath.

“Perfectly well,” he said impatiently. “Just listen to me, will you? I love you, Violetta Spencer. I think perhaps I always have, I… I was just too stupid to realise it. But I’ve stopped being stupid, Vi. I’m going to be everything you need, whether that’s a sensible, reliable husband or a fun-loving fool who will take you on madcap adventures. Do you understand?”

Her face softened, her eyes suddenly bright and sparkling. “I understand, Leo and… and I love you too, though I think this is the most inappropriate setting for such a declaration, you ridiculous man.”

Leo beamed at her, not caring a damn for who saw or heard. He would quite happily have shouted that he loved Violetta Spencer to anyone within earshot, but didn’t like to push his luck. They weren’t married yet.

He guided her back to The Rutland Arms, feeling a swell of pride as he noted all the admiring glances she drew. Mrs Rogers came rushing up to them as soon as they entered.

“Mr Hunt, Mrs Hunt, your room is all ready for you. If you would come this way.”

She let them up the stairs and along to a large, handsome chamber resplendent with a massive fourposter bed with elegant green velvet curtains. The lamps had been lit, for the day had become grey and stormy, threatening rain and the room was cast with a cosy, golden glow.

“It’s our best room,” she said proudly. “I had the fire lit too, for it was a little chilly and, with the weather turning, I thought the evening might be somewhat cool.”

“Thank you, Mrs Rogers,” Leo said with an approving nod. “My wife and I will dine in our room tonight.”

“How is Jenny?” Vi asked before he could make any further arrangements.

“Miss Clark has seen the doctor, and it’s only a sprain, though she is to rest it for a few days. She has ordered dinner, which I shall take up to her myself presently,” she said, at which Vi smiled.

“Wonderful. I’m so glad she’s all right.”

Leo walked Mrs Rogers to the door before she could continue talking. In an undertone, he instructed her to bring a bottle of champagne with their dinner.

“In half an hour, sir?”

He nodded, and Mrs Rogers took herself off. Relieved to have got rid of the woman, Leo turned back to Vi. She’d gone to stare out of the window, undoing her bonnet as she looked outside.

“I think that was lightning,” she said, as a low rumble sounded in the distance. “Goodness, but we were lucky with the weather today. I dread to think what it might have been like keeping that fiend in check in a thunderstorm.”

“But you managed him?” he asked, watching her laid the bonnet aside and began tugging at her gloves.

“I did,” she said with obvious pride.

Never had he taken such pleasure in watching a woman in such a way. She wasn’t even taking off any interesting items, only gloves! Yet desire stirred all the same and he rather wished he could have put off dinner, but Vi must be famished and Leo did not want his lovemaking interrupted because she was faint from hunger.

“When shall we be married?” She blurted the question out so hurriedly he did not think she had intended to say it at all. The colour that crested her cheeks confirmed his suspicions.

“As soon as we return to Tadlow. Your mama rushed off to get a special licence with Reverend Harbottle. I suspect they’ve had a wonderful day together; they’re both as tricky as each other.”

Vi laughed, though he detected a note of anxiety in the sound. “Oh, indeed. Reverend Harbottle is a wonderful man, and rather wise, I think.”

“I think so too,” Leo said with a smile as he crossed the room to her. “I’m afraid I have something to tell you, though, Violetta.”

Her smile dimmed at the use of her full name, and the serious tone of her voice.

“Oh?”

“Mm-hmm,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“What is it, Leo? You don’t h-have a lovechild somewhere, do you? I mean, it would make no difference to me if you had, I suppose. I know these things happen, it’s not uncommon, and I would not judge you harshly, well, so long as you’ve made provision—which I know you would do, for even though you are sometimes reckless, I know you are not irresponsible with anyone else’s life, only your own, and—”