Sebastian smiled as he watched Polly and Violet stroll across the lawn, arm in arm. They had been here for a sennight now and Polly already seemed to be in better spirits. He was glad for that, for he had hated seeing her so despondent.

“Violet told me what happened with Yardley,” Greville began, as they walked in the same direction as the ladies. “I must thank you, as Polly’s brother-in-law, for what you did. She means a lot to Violet, and I’m grateful you were there when I was not. I am sorry I haven’t mentioned it before now.”

“Any gentleman would have done the same,” Sebastian replied, not wanting to make too much of it. “I knew she was your sister-in-law and wanted to make sure that she was kept from harm.” He grimaced, throwing a dark look in Greville’s direction. “Unfortunately, Yardley is a man who is very convincing.”

Greville frowned, a few lines of worry appearing on his forehead. “And you think it has been contained?”

“I hope so,” Sebastian replied, with a shrug. “Only Yardley’s friend saw the interaction, and he was told to keep quiet. However, one can never tell who might be within the depths of the gardens, nor as to whether Yardley will want to cash in on his bet. I would hope that given it has now been more than a week since the masquerade where it occurred, that all is contained.”

“But, then again, we are in the country and not in London,” Greville pointed out. “Violet does not care for the latest en-dits, so we have no society papers delivered here.”

“Then we shall just have to wait for a frantic letter from the Duchess, informing us of any mishaps,” Sebastian replied, with a slight grin. “Although, knowing the woman, she would be more likely to appear at your doorstep should it get out. No, I do not think we need worry, Greville. Enough time has passed without incident.”

His friend nodded, the concern slowly lifting from his expression. “I suppose you are right.” Sebastian nodded at him, and returned his gaze to Lady Polly, walking ahead of them. Greville cleared his throat. “I did wonder whether there was any kind of attachment between you and Polly, Taylor. Might I ask if there is?”

Sebastian felt his face warm and was unable to look over at his friend. “No, of course not,” he stammered, feeling a little foolish. “I came to be concerned for her when I heard Lord Yardley intend to make her his next conquest, that is all. Knowing you and her other brothers were out of the city, I felt obligated to look out for her.”

“Very well, you need not be so hasty in your answer,” Greville replied, with a chuckle. “Although may I say your quick dissent only makes me believe otherwise. I know you better than anyone, don’t forget.” He gave him a sidelong glance, a small smile on his lips. “I would be rather glad if that were the case, Taylor. After all, it has been a good many years since Miss Gladstone, has it not?”

Sebastian felt his heart tug painfully. He had not let go of the memory of Patricia Gladstone for a great many years. While it was not the woman herself that he still held onto, it was the idea of what he thought he’d had with her. Perhaps that was why he had felt it so necessary to look out for Polly — he hadn’t wanted her to suffer the same fate that he had. “It has been over five years now,” he replied, quietly.

“And have you, therefore, changed your mind about finding yourself a wife?”

Sebastian paused, thinking over the question. His eyes fixed on Polly, seeing her laugh up at her sister, and the feeling in his heart he was trying so hard to ignore began to blossom.

“I am not sure, Greville. I have always vowed not to fall in love again and I thought my heart was closed to the idea. I believed that I had silenced that desire, once and for all.”

“Just as Lord Yardley is not a representative of all gentlemen, all womankind are not like your Miss Gladstone,” Greville said, quietly. “I have always hoped that you might let go of your past and find someone to care for again.”

“I do not want to care for her,” Sebastian muttered aloud, before realizing just what it was he had said.

Greville chuckled, slapping him hard on the back. “We do not always get what we want, let me assure you of that,” he replied, with a wide grin. “I never thought I would come to love Violet but now you see me as a happily married man, content with life and grateful for all that I have.”

“I had thought your scheme to wed her rather ridiculous, but I am glad to see all ended happily. Do you miss the detective work you once did?” Sebastian asked, surprised at how little he had thought of it himself since arriving here at his friend’s estate. “After all, the two of us made quite a good team, if I recall. Brought more than one scoundrel to justice!”

Their assistance with the constabulary now and again on few more serious cases had been required. For a few years now, they had been called upon when investigations involved those within the upper reaches of society. He had enjoyed the work, as had Greville – but ever since Greville had wed, he had stepped away from that side of things.

“I find that a rather ordinary life is one I can now appreciate,” Greville replied, as they drew nearer to the ladies. “I do not miss the struggles and the difficulties I once had, but now find my life quite complete with my wife and my estate. We enjoy the odd foray into London, of course, but there is a great deal to do here. And I am sure that, very soon, there will be children all about us. It will be the next great adventure of my life,” he finished, with a warm smile toward his wife who had turned to look over at them both.

Sebastian nodded and chose not to respond, standing back just a little as Greville walked toward his wife and kissed her cheek gently. He had, on his own, done a few things for the constabulary ever since Greville had stepped back, but it had not been the same. There had been no camaraderie, no one to bounce ideas off, no one to talk things through with. He found he no longer enjoyed it. Of course, he had told the constabulary that he would continue, as he appreciated the opportunity to make a difference, but it was still not the same as it had once been.

His gaze landed on Lady Polly, who averted her eyes the moment their gaze met. For a fleeting moment, he wondered whether or not he could share his work with the constabulary with her, just as Greville had shared it with Violet – although she had not chosen to become involved, but rather circumstances had required it.

“Something on your mind, Lord Taylor?”

He smiled as Violet arched one eyebrow, a teasing expression on her face. Apparently, she had seen the way he had been studying her sister.

“Yes, quite a few things,” he said, honestly. “I think I might take a little more of a walk in the gardens.”

“Capital idea,” Greville announced, offering his arm to his wife. “There is a lovely rose garden just over this way – I know it is my wife’s particular favorite.”

Sebastian couldn’t help but chuckle at the gallant way Lord Greville led his wife into the gardens, recalling just how Greville had once considered marriage more of a business arrangement. Still smiling, he offered his arm to Lady Polly who, after a momentary hesitation, took it.

“And how are you today, Lady Polly?” he asked, smiling down at her and trying not to react to the way her hand tightened a little on his arm. “I do hope you are in better spirits.”

She looked much more herself now than when he had met her in Hyde Park, her cheeks once again filled with color and her eyes bright. Over the last few days, she had begun to smile more readily, her laughter bringing a joy to his heart that he could not explain. He was glad to see her happier, pleased that he had been able to assist her in leaving London.

There was, of course, very little reason for him to remain at the Greville estate other than to enjoy the company of the Grevilles and of Lady Polly; however, given that he had been made more than welcome, Sebastian intended to stay for a longer period of time than he had originally planned.

“I am much happier, thank you,” she replied, not quite looking at him but rather allowing her gaze to drift just a little away from him. “I feel rather foolish, in a way, that I asked you to accompany me here.”

“Foolish?” he repeated, his heart slowly beginning to sink in his chest. Did she no longer want him here? “Why so?”

She shook her head, turning her face away from him for a moment. “I cannot very easily explain it,” she said, slowly, “But it is as though I felt I needed you to be present, since you were such a mainstay of late back in London. If I had not had your company here, then I felt perhaps I would lose myself within thoughts of shame.” Glancing up at him, she gave him a small, rueful smile. “And now that I have settled in, I still find your presence a great comfort even though we have not often spoken of London. Rather selfish, am I not, to want to keep you here?”

“Lady Polly, you must not think so,” Sebastian replied at once, finding himself surprised yet charged by her confession. “I am glad to be here with you, and with Greville and Violet. I have missed seeing Greville, you know. All in all, I would say it has turned out quite well, although I will always be glad to talk to you about what occurred in London, should you wish to speak of it.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she looked away from him. “I am not sure it would,” she murmured, softly. “I still feel most embarrassed about my part in it all, Lord Taylor. I should have listened to you, but I was quite stubborn, I think. Even my sister has corrected me there.”

Trying to bolster her flagging spirits, Sebastian placed his hand on hers for just a moment. “You thought yourself in love, Lady Polly. I quite understand how overwhelming an experience that can be.”

She looked up at him sharply. “You can?”

He pressed his lips together, finding that he did not wish to go into the subject at the moment, did not want to taint their time together here with words of Patricia Gladstone. “I do, so believe me when I say that I do not find you foolish, Lady Polly.”

There was a moment of silence and, as they walked, Sebastian realized that his hand was still on hers. He had hardly noticed, it felt so natural. Clearing his throat, he removed his arm, leaving him feeling rather bereft.

“My sister has asked you to call her ‘Violet’, has she not?”

Lady Polly’s voice was soft and something in Sebastian’s heart began to constrict. “Yes, she has.”

“Then it seems rather silly that we are so formal, especially after what we have shared together, does it not?” she asked, looking up at him. “Might you just call me ‘Polly’?”

It was an intimacy that surprised him, but that he welcomed all the same. “I would be glad to, Polly,” he replied, warmth blossoming all through him. “And ‘Taylor’ will do just fine.”

He would love to hear his Christian name on her lips, but he knew that was much more than he had any reason to ask.

She smiled and tightened her hand on his arm. “I think we shall be very dear friends, Taylor. You are a good man.”

“I strive to be,” he replied, finding his voice a little hoarse. Friends. That was what she wanted from him. “Thank you, Polly.”

She said nothing and, together, they walked with the beauty of the gardens, carefully keeping some distance between themselves and Lord and Lady Greville. As they walked in companionable silence, Polly ever so slightly brushed up against his arm now and then. It was a little, silly thing, and yet Sebastian could not recall the last time he had ever felt so content.