Page 26 of One Last Night

“You’relucky that’s not true. But what about the servants? Have you found any leads with them?”

My cheeks flame, and I suppose my hesitation answers his question because he says, “You haven’t investigated the servants, have you?”

“I can’t believe it, but it’s slipped my mind again. I just… I was caught up in—”

“That’s all right. No need to make excuses. I investigated them myself. Grant was once arrested for aggravated assault.”

“Grant? The driver?” I can’t picture the gentle, softspoken Grant being violent with anyone.

“That’s the one. Fortunately, it was quickly established that Grant was not guilty, being that he was in an entirely different city at the time. As for the rest, they’re clean as a whistle. Not proof that nothing’s going on, but that combined with the Bellamys’ good reputation as employers suggests to me that this isn’t an inside job like we believed it was.”

I smile. “Thank you, Sean. You really are a lifesaver.”

“I really am. Do you know why else I’m a lifesaver?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not going to give you hell about the other thing that’s slipped your mind.”

“The other…” Then I realize. It’s the weekend again, and I haven’t even thought to come visit him. “Oh, Sean! I’m so sorry!”

“That’s all right. I said I won’t give you hell, and I won’t. But you should look out of the kitchen window.”

I frown and do as he says. When I see him there with his roguish smile and a bouquet of flowers in his hand, I lose myself. The next thing I’m aware of is being in his arms, my lips pressed against his, weeping into his shoulder.

“There, there, love,” he says softly. “That’s all right. I’m here.”

"Oh, Sean. I've missed you."

“I know. I suppose I’ve missed you too.”

I slap his chest lightly, and we both laugh. I pull away just in time to hear Victoria behind me. “Why Mary. You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend.”

I redden a little more, and then further when Sean jokes, “That’s all right, Ms. Bellamy. She has a habit of pretending I don’t exist. Out of sight, out of mind, and all that.”

I roll my eyes. “Victoria, this is Sean. Sean, you appear to already know Ms. Bellamy.”

“By reputation alone, but I have to say, she’s far more beautiful than her reputation suggests.”

Victoria raises an eyebrow. “So my reputation suggests that I’m ugly.”

Sean stammers, “Oh. No. I… I meant that you’re rumored to be beautiful, but you’re even more beautiful than that rumored beauty.”

“Ah, I see. I’m glad to know I’m more beautiful than myself.”

I have never loved Victoria more. Sean shakes his head and says drily, “I can see why you two get along so well.”

Victoria laughs. “Well, come on in. No need for you to stand outside in the cold.”

“Actually, I was hoping I could steal Mary for the day. I’ve recently emigrated from cold, dreary Wales, and I’ve been longing to visit the picturesque sites of Massachusetts.”

“Of course. The children have the weekend off of school, and they’re old enough to manage without constant supervision. I do hope you’ll join us for dinner, though.”

“Count on it, ma’am.”

I manage to control myself until Sean and I are in his car, but then I throw my arms around him and kiss him again. He returns the kiss for a moment, then pulls away laughing. “See, if you came to visit, you wouldn’t have to miss me this much.”

“Oh, shut up. You love the attention.”

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