Fox had insisted that Bourne should take the bed while he slept in one of the leather armchairs in his study. The next morning they were on the road again, only this time their destination was the Fen District. A steady drizzle of snow slowed them down that day, and thus it was late in the evening before they finally reached Rawdon Park. “Sebastian!” his sister-in-law greeted him on the stairs. She tugged at his shoulder to make him lean down so she could press a kiss on his icy cold cheek. “We received a message from Warwickshire last night,” she whispered. “Poor Amy! It’s dreadful!” He nodded and stepped back. “Mirabella, may I present Miss Bourne’s uncle. Mr. Bourne, Lady Rawdon.” “We have already met, Sebastian,” Bella said softly. “When Mr. Bourne came to collect Amy.” Fox gripped the banister so hard that his knuckles shone white through his skin. He felt an utter heel. Bourne cleared his throat. “My lady, I hope you will forgive this intrusion, I—”
