Page 88 (1/2)

While the grounds lacked the grandeur of Elton Park, there was so that soothed the soul If Daphne owned such a special place, she would never leave

The pagoda was more a circular Roman-inspired temple From t

here, she could see the elaborate fountaincherubs She saw him then Seated on a bench

Daphne’s heart fluttered up to her throat

It took a tremendous effort not to pick up her skirt and run But she was not sure why he’d called her to the house, and could not presuood news

Hearing her approach, he juh she could re her mind conjured compared to hoonderful it was to see him in the flesh

“You came” He stepped forward and took hold of her hands by way of a greeting “I wasn’t sure you would”

“Regardless what I told you in Hyde Park, I am always available should you need me” She wanted to kiss hio

“I’ve s,” he said solemnly “With you With this house I turnedthat mattered This house was once filled with love One only has to walk through the gardens to see the evidence of it”

“I feel nothing but love as I stand here adaze fixed on him

A smile touched his lips “My mother’s inability to cope with the pain of loss turned it into a house of despair A place where I was encouraged to strive to be that which I am not”

Daphne wanted to understand hiitimacy?”

He seeht the truth My parents were not e that My father’s fa similarity to the man my mother insists is my father, there is no proof to support her claim”

“Is that why you stay away? Why you spend your life solving other people’s proble other people’s proof?”

He shrugged “Perhaps But I a since buried”