There was a strong possibility he would leave and never come back. His father was a formidable opponent, by all accounts. Perhaps Richard could stand firm against him, but there was no guarantee of it. His family might persuade him to take the sensible course. If he did, the next time I saw him, he’d be a married man. It had to be now, I was sure of it. Thinking of my plans mind knotted my stomach so badly I couldn’t eat, but I determined on my course and I would know him, if only once. I had spent my life thinking about the right thing to do, but this time I wanted something for myself alone. I’d avoided Richard’s company in private while I thought things through, but after I’d made my preparations, I sought him out. I found him in the small drawing room shortly after breakfast, reading. As I entered, he cast his book aside and stood to greet me. Since we were alone, he gave me a kiss, but then released me. Someone might come in the room at any moment. “Will you walk with me?”
