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“What a lovely view.” The low sound of Ian’s voice made Helen jump.

She turned toward him, her heart in her throat, a hand on her chest, blinking rapidly to calm her rioting nerves.

She’d just compared him to a panther, and just like a wild predator, he moved silently on the stony floor. “It is, isn’t it?” she asked when she managed to catch her breath.

He moved toward her, his gaze not leaving hers. “I meant you.”

A breath caught in her throat, and Helen couldn’t quite find the will to speak. If Ian was a panther, he surely could hypnotize his prey with his gaze.

“What were you doing here?” Helen looked down at his body, hoping to find any indication of what he might have been doing in the conservatory in the middle of the night.

He shrugged. “I come here to think sometimes. It is my secret place. Well, not secret exactly, but it has its own entrance… and exit, I suppose.” He pointed toward a glass door at the far corner. “Allows me to get in and out of the house without bothering with the servants’ entrance or the main one.”

Helen frowned. “Why would you need a secret entrance? It is your house.”

Ian smiled. “Perhaps to sneak in lovers in the middle of the night without the knowledge of my servants?”

Helen didn’t know whether to return the smile or feel raging jealousy. She settled on a grimace. “I wish I’d known that before I sauntered into your house through the main entrance and announced to your butler that I am here to see you.”

Ian let out a burst of hoarse laughter, then he moved closer and took her hands in his. “Do not worry. He is very discreet. And you look especially lovely today.”

“Thank you.” Helen swallowed, her eyes glued to his, her breaths rapid.

“Did you miss me?” A slow smile appeared on his lips as he continued enthralling her with his gaze.

“Did you?” she countered.

“Very much.” He didn’t even hesitate. There wasn’t even a moment of pause between the questions and an answer.

“Then why didn’t you visit me in the past few days?”

A slight grimace contorted his features. “I’ve had… things to do. Family obligations and all that. I should have written to you, but to tell you the truth, time ran away from me and I got lost for a little bit.”

“Oh. That’s unfortunate.”

“I am not lost anymore,” he whispered, his gaze falling to her lips.

Helen’s eyes fell closed. She was so tired of denying them closeness. She just wished he would kiss her on the lips right then and there, and rid them both of suffering.

Instead, he moved away. “Do you want to see more?”

She swallowed, her eyes flying open. “More?”

“The conservatory.”

“Of course.” She took a deep breath and plastered a smile onto her lips.

Ian weaved his arm with hers and led her on a small excursion around the greenhouse.

It was a lovely place. She could see the stars through the glass ceiling, and the surrounding plants made it feel as though they were on a warm tropical island.

Except it was even better. Because in reality, on a tropical island, the sun would burn her skin, while this place made her feel warm and cozy while walking in the midst of astounding greenery.

That wasn’t what made her enjoy this excursion, though. She was happy to finally be by Ian’s side again, holding his arm, feeling his warmth.

She paused by a rose bush and knelt to take a whiff. “Mmm… that smells lovely.” She turned to him with a smile on her lips, to find him studying her thoughtfully.

“You like flowers then.”