It must be well past midnight and she had not slept for many hours.
The passion that had raced through her fragile body had exhausted her beyond measure. He caught her hand and his eyelids half closed as he kissed her palm.
“Tell me,” Rosaleena asked him drowsily. “Why did you flee – London?”
“Your mother recognised me there,” said the Earl in a low voice. “And I knew that I was no longer safe. At the same time your uncle realised that he was no longer safe, for as keenly as he pursues me, I pursue him!”
“But you will not tell me why?”
“No,” the Earl smiled. “I will not tell you why yet. I suspected that he would flee to Rosscullen, not thinking I would come here myself.”
Rosaleena’s eyes flickered open for a moment.
“And did you come here because you are – in love with Bridie?” Her
