A Change of Fortune (38 page)

She still hardly dared believe that it was happening. Her fingers crept slowly up to rest over his. “I thought you loved Imogen, that I was merely—”

He stopped her words, his lips as warm and filled with desire as they had been earlier. “I love you, Leonie,” he whispered, “and if I haven’t been honest with you before, I’m being honest now. I want you to be my wife, the mistress of my house, and the mistress of my heart. Will you have me?”

In answer she raised her lips to his again, clinging to him as if she feared even now that she would suddenly awaken and find it all a dream.

There was a sound at the door and they drew quickly apart when they saw Stella peeping in, a smile of delight on her face at having caught them together in a passionate embrace. She came farther in. “Sir Henry Fitzjohn has called, Uncle Guy, he says it’s very important.”

Leonie held her breath. Sir Henry Fitzjohn? Did he have word about her father?

Stella stepped aside and Harry Fitzjohn came in, grinning a little sheepishly at Guy. “I trust I haven’t called at an inconvenient time, Guy.”

“Is it about Richard Conyngham?”

“It is indeed.”

“Then this is the lady you should talk to. Leonie, this is Harry Fitzjohn, of whom I’ve spoken. Harry, this is Miss Conyngham.”

Harry’s quick glance noticed how Leonie moved closer to Guy, her hand slipping into his. “Miss Conyngham, it’s a privilege to meet you, although I vow you’re much more beautiful than even Guy admitted to me.”

“You have news for me, sir?”

“Yes, and I’m glad now that I came rushing out here into the sticks at this time of night, for it’s very good news. Your father’s name is cleared, for his partner has confessed to being the guilty party. Your fortune is fully restored to you and you are once again a very wealthy young lady. That is it, in the proverbial nutshell. Congratulations.”

Tears of joy leapt into her eyes and she flung her arms around Guy, who held her tightly to him.

Harry grinned again as he watched them. “Evidently congratulations of another sort are in order as well,” he said, turning to wink at Stella.

Copyright © 1985 by Sandra Heath

Originally published by Signet (ISBN 9780451138545)

Electronically published in 2016 by Belgrave House/Regency

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.