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‘That’s what I heard and I’m sure they did too,’ he said, nodding towards the musicians. ‘So you cannot break faith with me now,’ he warned, amused.

‘Let’s go home and telephone my parents at the Thorntons’.’ She wanted him to sweep her up into his arms and kiss her, not caring about who might be watching or what they might say over morning tea tomorrow.

Matthew showed no such careless attitude, however. He looked flushed with disbelief, though. ‘The bill please and a carriage immediately,’ he shot to the maître d’.

‘At once, Mr Britten-Jones,’ the man said and melted back.

The musicians followed them, playing them out of the restaurant until Alex was once again seated on cool leather, feeling the bounce and sway of a hackney making its way to The Mount.

She took Matthew’s hand, placing it in her lap. ‘I feel very happy.’

He looked at her sideways. ‘Not just because a burden’s been lifted?’

She covered his hand now. ‘There’s relief but excitement. I think if I’m to be a wife, I can be a good wife to you. You understand me and I like your patience and manners, your generosity and wit, but especially your desire not to trap or bully me.’

His eyes looked dark and depthless in the shadows of the carriage. ‘You are more precious to me than you can imagine, Alex. You will change my life forever and I can’t thank you enough.’

It was such an odd response and it wasn’t so much that it rang insincere but more that she heard an undertow of ambiguity, as if the words were precise but what they meant to him were different to what he needed her to hear. However, while this curious notion snagged in her thoughts, there was enough momentum of excitement in the carriage, holding his hand, hearing the pleasure in his voice and feeling the warmth of his kiss against her neck that she could leave that tiny tangle of anxiety behind.

Alex’s thoughts rushed forward to sharing this news with her parents, knowing it would bring immeasurable happiness to their household. Most importantly, she could start shaping her life ahead now, a life that would definitely include making chocolates.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relieved or happy at the same time,’ she murmured back.

He nodded with a wide smile.‘I’d better send my folks a telegram. They’ll be more thrilled than you can imagine. Are you up to making a trip to Bristol to meet them?’

‘Of course, Matthew. I’d love to meet your family.’

‘They’re going to fall instantly in love with you.’

‘Just like you did, eh?’

She saw the gleam of his teeth as lamplight caught him smiling and once again a tiny voice of doubt called to her because in that moment his gaze looked uncertain.

__________

At Tilsden Hall there was an air of expectancy. Alex could feel it as soon as she arrived and the housekeeper met them to take their coats.

‘I won’t be staying long, Mrs Lambton.’

‘No, sir? Will you be staying at your club?’

Alex gave him a look of query. ‘Why, Matthew?’

He gave a shrug to suggest it was awkward. ‘I just think it will be appropriate, given the, er . . . new development.’

She caught Lambton’s gaze that flicked towards her and then away again with a wry smile. Did everyone know about this even before she’d made the decision? ‘Yes, of course. Any chance of a cocoa, Mrs Lambton? It’s freezing out there.’ She stamped her boots to prove it.

‘Of course, Miss Alex,’ she said with a smile that rearranged her features into what Alex always believed Cinderella’s fairy godmother must have looked like. ‘Go through into the drawing room. There’s a merry fire on.’

‘Oh?’

‘Your parents are home, Miss Alex,’ Lambton mentioned as she turned away and Alex didn’t pursue her, figuring she’d discover soon enough why, and besides, it was convenient for giving them the news.

Alex walked past the door Matthew held open for her into the silver green of her mother’s favourite room. A couple of Minerva’s table lamps were on, lending light only to the armchairs and sofa closest to the fireplace. The dark timber panelling and floors helped to pull the rest of the large room into shadow, closing out much of the overwhelming effect of Minerva’s painted murals.

‘Oh, there you are, you gorgeous youngsters!’ Minerva said and Alex could sense her mother was filled with anticipation.

‘I thought you were overnighting with friends?’ she said, more as a way of gathering her thoughts. She pasted an innocent expression, awaiting their response.