“My dearest Harmonia!”

Seeing her face again made his heart ache with the sudden realization of just how lonely he had been without her. She flew across the room towards him and, ignoring the presence of her sister Amelia completely, threw herself into his arms.

“Oh, Newford.”

Her cheek was damp as it pressed against his own, her body soft as she let out a small, strangled sob.

“You need not weep for me, my dear,” he whispered, feeling his own gratefulness swelling within him again. “I am quite well.”

The pain in his shoulder was still there, of course, but he would not allow her to know that. It was a dull ache that constantly seemed to niggle at him, reminding him of what Lord Darnsley had done.

“Harmonia,” came Amelia’s practical voice from across the room. “The maid is at the door with the tea tray, and I highly doubt that Lord Newford has any intention of going anywhere. You need not cling onto him so.”

Phillip smiled down at his love as she released him, brushing her cheek with his fingers and catching the silvery tears that fell from her eyes.

“Come, my love,” he murmured, drawing her away from the door and towards Amelia. “Come and sit with me. We have much to say to one another, I think.”

It had been a week and a day since he had been attacked by Lord Darnsley – although, of course, he was unable to say that it had been Lord Darnsley for certain since his face had never been seen – but it had been a week without Lady Harmonia and that had been more of a burden to bear than the recovery from his wound! He had felt her loss almost every day he had been apart from her, until an assurance of what he hoped for their future began to settle on his mind.

“I must thank you for your letters, my dear,” he said, as she sat down gracefully, her eyes still holding some moisture. “They sustained me in my separation from you.”

She gave him a small smile, her hand still on his arm. “I would have come to you if papa would have let me.”

“I am glad he did not,” Phillip replied, firmly. “There is no guessing what Lord Darnsley might do now. It is for your own safety that you remain here.”

Amelia caught his eye and smiled, and Phillip caught a shard of worry in her expression.

“Indeed, Harmonia,” she murmured, leaning forward to pour the tea. “You know that this is all for your best interests, and for Lord Newford’s safety too. We have no idea where Luke is, and that is not a good thing.”

Phillip nodded slowly, accepting a cup from Amelia. “There has been no sign of him since you last saw him?” He glanced towards Harmonia who had paled slightly as she recalled how Luke had behaved towards her in the bookshop. “Forgive me, I did not mean to concern you again.”

Harmonia caught herself and smiled, breaking the worry on her face. “Thank you. I am quite all right. I have been caught this last week with just how great a change has come over my cousin. It thought I knew his character and now it seems I did not.”

“You were not the only one taken by surprise,” Amelia murmured, shaking her head. “The Luke we once knew no longer lives.”

Seeing Harmonia’s brittle smile, Phillip took her fingers and held them tightly in his. “Your father, I understand, has done a very great deal in ensuring that Luke stays away from you.”

“He has,” Harmonia replied, quickly. “I do not think I have ever seen him so apoplectic! It is as though news of what he had done to both myself and you pushed my father into a frenzy. He has been in town and to the solicitors and doing all he can to find the extent of Luke’s financial difficulties.”

“And, it seems, he has found out everything,” Amelia finished, with a slight sigh. “Luke will be forced to mortgage his own estate, if he has not yet already done so. We now believe that Luke has discovered father’s investigation and has quit London. His townhouse – or, rather, the townhouse he uses when he comes to London, is now entirely vacant. No-one knows where he has gone for, as far as my father’s steward has been able to discover, Luke has not returned to his estate.”

Phillip drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, thinking carefully about what this meant. “Then, I suppose, it is best that you continue to remain within the house, Harmonia, until Luke’s whereabouts are known.” He turned his gaze to her and, for a moment, thought she might argue but, to his surprise, she simply gave him a small shrug.

“I shall do whatever is required of me,” she said, softly. “Just so long as I know you are able to visit on occasion. I would not like you to put yourself in danger, of course.”

She was just as kind and compassionate as ever. Luke’s behavior towards her had not taken that from her, nor pushed anger into her heart. Phillip smiled into her eyes and pressed her hand, knowing that he had to speak to her before the afternoon was out.

“I am quite careful, I assure you,” he said, softly, turning his gaze towards Lady Amelia. Clearing his throat, he gave Lady Harmonia a quick smile. “I wonder, Lady Amelia, if I might be allowed a few minutes alone with Harmonia? It will not be for long.”

Amelia did not hesitate but got to her feet at once, as though she knew exactly what was coming. “But of course, Lord Newford. I shall go and fetch another tea tray, I think.”

“Maybe something a little stronger,” Phillip found himself saying and, catching his eye for a moment, Lady Amelia smiled, her eyes bright.

“I know just what to get,” she murmured, before inclining her head and excusing herself.

Harmonia, however, had not moved an inch. She still clung to his hand, her cheeks now a little flushed as he turned his attention back to her.

“My dear Harmonia,” Phillip began, as the door was pulled behind Lady Amelia – although not shut completely. “I must tell you just how much I have missed you this last week.”

Her gaze softened. “As have I,” she whispered, her other hand now pressed on top of their joined ones. “I have thought of nothing but you, Phillip. I have longed to leave this house and go to you and it broke me asunder to know that I could not. Although I am glad you are recovered,” she finished, with a small sigh, her eyes darting to his shoulder. “I am sorry for what Luke did.”

“There is nothing to be sorry for,” Phillip said at once, not wanting Harmonia to take on any responsibility that was not her own. “This was not your doing, Harmonia. Lord Darnsley, thankfully showing himself to be a base and uncunning enemy, was determined to separate us, but I have grown all the more determined not to allow him to do such a thing.” His throat worked as he felt his heart begin to quicken its pace, the words suddenly sticking to his lips. “Harmonia, I…”

Trailing off, he looked into her eyes and saw the surprise hiding within the blue pools. Reaching for her, he allowed his fingers to brush the fair curls that fell around her shoulders, giving himself time to think clearly about what he was to say. This was one of the most important moments of his life and he was not about to rush it.

“My dearest Harmonia, you know very well that I love you with my whole heart,” he said, slowly, his thumb running along the soft curve of her jaw. “Lord Darnsley has tried his utmost to push me away from you but his efforts have been entirely in vain. I have become even more drawn to you. Our separation has been one that grew painful to me, my heart aching for you with a wound that only you can heal.”

“Oh, Newford,” he heard Harmonia whisper, her lips curving gently. “You speak of a pain that I fully understand. My heart is filled with a love for you that I know will never fade.”

His throat tightened but he smiled at her regardless, aware that his voice was to be hoarse.

“Harmonia, my love. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

He heard her breath catch as she stared at him, the smile slowly fading as her eyes grew bright with astonishment. His gut tightened as he looked back at her steadily, suddenly filled with a fear that she would refuse him.

And then, with a tinkling laugh, she threw her arms around her neck, holding him tightly.

“Yes, yes, of course I will!” she exclaimed, as his arms wrapped around her waist. “I will be your wife, Newford. This is the happiest day of my life!”

His breathing ragged, Phillip held her tightly, suddenly overcome with delight. He had never felt such happiness before, his whole world suddenly shining all the brighter now that Harmonia had agreed to be his.

“There will be no separating us ever again,” he promised, leaning back so that he could look into her eyes. “Never again, my love. You will be mine and I will be yours, for the rest of our days.”

The tears in her eyes were ones of joy and, as he kissed her gently, Phillip felt his very soul burst with sheer happiness. He smiled into her eyes as he broke their kiss, knowing that Amelia would be back very soon.

“I spoke to your father before I came in to greet you,” he assured her, seeing the question in her eyes. “He is more than happy, Harmonia, much to my delight. We will call the banns this very Sunday if you wish it!”

Harmonia laughed aloud, her cheeks bright with color and eyes sparkling. “As soon as we can, my love. I do not wish to wait.”

“We both feel the same in that regard, then,” Phillip chucked, shifting back into his seat and taking her hand. “I love you, Harmonia.”

“I love you too.”

There was a short silence as they simply looked into one another’s eyes, their hands joined.

“Am I to assume congratulations are in order?”

The silence was broken as Amelia came back into the room, her eyebrow lifted as Harmonia rose to her feet with Phillip by her side.

“Indeed,” Harmonia exclaimed dropping Phillip’s hand to embrace her sister. “I am engaged!”

Amelia laughed and held her sister tightly. “I am truly happy for you both. What wonderful news!”

“Wonderful indeed,” Phillip agreed, just as the maid came into the room, carrying a tray that held a bottle of champagne and four glasses. “Thank you, Amelia.”

She smiled at him as Harmonia came back to stand by his side.

“Father will be joining us in a moment,” she said, indicating the fourth glass. “I know he will be delighted as the rest of us.”

“Never happier than I,” Harmonia murmured, leaning into Phillip for a moment, and Phillip could not help but agree.