Page 96 of A Murder at Kew Gardens

He had come to Rosehaven House twice since the river, both times on business concerning Cosmos, both times staying afterward for tea. Once Petunia had held him a half hour with an account of what Fox had done to one of her dolls. He had listened as though it were the most important thing in the world.

My heart ached just thinking about it.

"Rosalynd?" Claire was watching me still. “Are you well?”

"I'm fine."

She did not believe me. Fortunately she was about to marry a Rosehaven and would have years in which to learn that we lie to one another out of affection.

Steele stood near the back of the drawing room in a morning suit, dark and immaculate, in conversation with Sir Hugo. He turned before Chrissie and I had cleared the doorway. Something in his face let go. It lasted a moment, and it was enough. He excused himself and came to me.

"Rosalynd."

"Steele."

His eyes went to my hands. I had left off my gloves; the silk caught on the scabs. The cuts were healing, but several still ran angry and red across my palms.

"Better?"

"Much."

"Good." His hand moved an inch. Perhaps two. Then it returned to his side.

Several nights ago I had stood on a wrecked launch with his arms around me and his heart going hard beneath my cheek while he held me as though someone might still come and take me away. Now we stood in Grandmother's drawing room among the flowers and the family and all the ordinary requirements of civilized life. Civilized life was proving far more difficult.

"You look well," he said.

"So do you."

"I have the advantage of not having been kidnapped."

"You were shot at."

"Only a little."

I smiled despite myself. His mouth moved too, almost a smile.

Then Grandmother called us to our places.

Steele offered me his arm. Such an ordinary gesture that I nearly laughed. I put my hand on his sleeve. He delivered me to my place beside Chrissie, bowed, and went to his seat.

That was all. It should have been enough. It was not.

Cosmos came in with Fox at his shoulder—chin up, ears scarlet, a boy who had refused to weep for a fortnight. Three days out of that cell had put no weight back on my brother, but his coat had been taken in, he had been shaved properly, and happiness had done something for his face that food had not yet managed.

Claire came in. Cosmos looked at her, and everything else in the room stopped existing for him.

It was so naked I had to look away. And found Steele.

He was watching them too, and for that one moment his face was unguarded. Longing—the same as mine.

Our eyes met across the room. He did not look away. Neither did I.

The clergyman cleared his throat, and we both remembered where we were.

The ceremony was mercifully short.

Claire promised herself to Cosmos in a voice that trembled once. Cosmos did not tremble at all until the ring. Then his hand shook so badly that Claire had to take him by the wrist and steady him.