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Sebastian gestured toward a frieze of horsemen. “The power captured here … it is almost alive.”

Harriet stood beside him, her gloved hand brushing the display’s edge. “The riders trust their horses completely. A partnership without words.”

Sebastian looked at her. “Do you still believe such bonds are possible?”

Her gaze shifted. “I want to.”

The simplicity of her words shook him more than any argument. It made him think again of her cryptic remarks. What changes had she made these past few months? Was she being honest when she said she no longer entertained men, or had she said what she thought he wanted to hear?

The problem in dealing with Harriet, even in their youth, had been the Hargreaveses’ malleable sense of truth that made it difficult to assess any member of the illustrious but warped family. One of the reasons he could not convince Philip to yield his power as duke so that Sebastian might have courted her.

And, for a second, Sebastian froze, much as the subjects depicted in the Marbles, when he was struck with a revelation. He was glad he had left British high society behind!

In Florence, he had found an entirely new life, a fulfilling life in the pursuit of art. If Philip had helped him formally court Harriet all those years ago, he would never have left on his Grand Tour. Never have met Lorenzo, or Marco and Angelo Scott, or any of his friends back in Italy. Nor built his successful business with Lorenzo.

It was unfortunate that Harriet had not the courage to accompany him, but perhaps his continued anger at his older brother was something to let go. Perhaps his issues with Harriet were theirs alone, and it was time to stop blaming the duke for his unwillingness to assist. Sebastian exhaled, releasing much of his accumulated resentments. Marco had been correct. Facing the past would allow him to build a better future.

As he came back to the present, he found Harriet with an eyebrow arched as if she were awaiting a reply. Running a hand through his mane of hair, Sebastian smiled politely, still moved by the understanding that he had to leave Britain when he had. Had to explore the exotic locations that had beckoned. Had to arrive in Italy. It had all been a vital part of his journey.

“I am sorry. What did you say?”

“Shall we go to the Reading Room?” she repeated, her expression curious.

He gave a quick bow in agreement, offering her his arm while Lady Wood returned from where she had been examining the truncated carving of a goddess in motion.

The Reading Room was hushed, winter light falling through tall windows. The scent of old paper and wax filled the air. Harriet trailed her fingers along the spines of leather-bound books, her tone reflective when she eventually spoke.

“Do you remember Avonmead’s library?”

Sebastian followed her. “I do. You always wanted to read everything.”

Harriet smiled faintly. “Because you promised we would see the world.”

Sebastian drew a slow breath. He did not wish to say it, but it hovered on the tip of his tongue until he could no longer stop himself.

“And yet, you did not come.” The words slipped from him, sharper than intended.

Harriet turned, eyes filling with regret and things unsaid. She hesitated, then made a confession he was not expecting to hear her say aloud. “Because I was afraid.”

The silence pressed in.

“Of what?” he asked.

“Of losing everything I thought I wanted.” She exhaled unsteadily. “I did not understand then what truly mattered.”

Sebastian stepped closer. “And now?”

Their gazes locked, so close, but Lady Evaline’s polite cough from the doorway reminded them of the world beyond their moment.

And when he looked back, he knew that moment had passed. Harriet’s shields were back, the enigma of her a puzzle without a solution, and Sebastian knew it was the wiser course for him to step back from the yawning abyss of what could have been if only she had had the courage to trust him so many years ago.

As the museum visit drew to a close, they strolled out to wait for his carriage to be brought around. Standing in companionable silence, Sebastian looked about and thought how fortuitous it was that most of polite society had left Town for the holidays. A chance encounter would have interrupted what had been a very pleasant time and might even have set tongues wagging. Some time in the near future, he would leave, and being the subject of gossip would not signify then, but it was better to just enjoy this passage without distraction.

These two weeks would serve as the farewell he had never had with the girl he had loved. So that when he left these English shores, he would finally leave the past behind, free to explore new avenues.

They drove through London, briefly making plans for their next outing, until reaching her street. Sebastian helped the ladies out and escorted them to the front door. Harriet turned as she reached it, glancing back at him with an expression of gratitude. The first of such that he could recollect.

“Thank you for today. It was … enlightening.”