Any Groom Will Do

Before they could hire a steward to oversee bookings and guest relations, Violet stepped up to prove her own proficiency at soothing rumpled feathers and making certain every guest received unrivaled service.

How quickly she could be accustomed to the attention and affection, the intimacy of mornings in bed, of dressing in the same room, of undressing . . .

Instead, I occupied myself with the relentless pursuit of one meaningless accomplishment or another. Marksmanship, riding, studies, languages—on and on it went. From boyhood, I was an inexhaustible little bugger, you might say.”

“But I’ve no wish to discuss the mine or Archibald Caulder now, not when I have a beautiful countess to convey to a glittering party in a home of her own design.”

No warning could have prepared her for the floating, the tingling as she floated, the slow drift back to earth, the tiny shocks, the blissful feeling of release.

She wanted to float in his arms, languishing in each touch, but she also felt a thrumming sort of propulsion, a search.

As this overly long letter finally draws to a close, let me say again how gratified I was to receive your first letter.

I understand your loyalty and your discretion.

I can scarcely sleep at night for the colors and textures spinning in my head.

Never fear, I was as discreet as possible, walking the fine line between vagueness and ignorance.