"I'm disappointed in you, Mr. Kane."

Cyril who was deep in thought looked up at Mr. Harris in surprise. "Whatever, have I done?"

"You were quite rude to Lady Annabelle before we left Lady Cantrell's home just now. You mind telling me why?"

Cyril thought of the letter in his pocket. Oh, how he wished he could tell Mr. Harris why but that would put Lady Annabelle in an awful position and considering how close Mr. Harris and Lady Cantrell seemed to be, he decided not to chance it. Instead he admitted, "I was just upset that it would seem Lady Cantrell thinks I may have been making a play for her niece. She clearly looked at me at tea when the statement was made that she intended to keep her niece away from the wrong sort of man."

Mr. Harris assessed Cyril thoughtfully, "And were you making a play for her?"

"Me!" Cyril looked utterly shocked by the idea. "No! You know I do not have the time for such entanglements. I have my career to be focusing on."

Mr. Harris made an undignified snort sound through his nose. "Listen to me, my boy. If you are interested in that beautiful girl then do not let the opportunity pass just because of what was said at tea. Work and careers are fine aspirations but there will come a time when you may wish to find yourself entangled with a woman, and you will never find another lovelier than Lady Annabelle."

"You sound as if you are speaking from experience?" Cyril said, noticing the sad nostalgic look Mr. Harris wore upon his face.

"Many of us have stood on that precipice and feared taking the leap."

"Well, there will be no leaping here. I have no interest what so ever in the lady. And it matters not as I am likely never to see her again."

"Never say never," Mr. Harris chuckled. He had seen the look on Cyril's face when him and Augusta had startled them. Something was indeed afoot and he was not above meddling in their affairs. In fact, he decided it must be done for Cyril's own well being.

"Why is that?" Cyril looked at him suspiciously.

"I will be expecting you to take Lady Cantrell her will and the papers for the release of funds for the trust she wishes to put in place for the dowries for her nieces."

"Why must I go? Certainly you are better suited, especially since Lady Cantrell distrusts me and you seem to be intimately acquainted with her."

"It's a matter of timing, my friend. I will be away next week. I must leave London for a short while and during that time I expect you to run things in my stead," Mr. Harris lied quite effortlessly.

He wanted to laugh at the miserable expression that crossed Cyril's features. "Oh cheer up, Mr. Kane. There are worst ways to spend your afternoon than with two very beautiful, and charming women."

They reached the law office but it was only Cyril who got out of the carriage as Mr. Harris had another appointment. He gave Cyril the folder with the notes to draw up the proper documents, which he expected to be able to look over upon his return.

Cyril bid him a good day and went inside. Since he was now alone, he sat at his desk and pulled the accursed note from his breast pocket. He had only briefly glanced at it before and he knew he should just find a way to send it back to Lady Bentley but instead he felt compelled to open the letter and read the contents more thoroughly.

My Love,

Subtly you move in close to enter the shadows of my heart

to reach the very depth of my soul.

Together as one we shall face the world,

and for once it doesn't seem such a hard cruel place.

For your love grows within me

and my spirit stirs with happiness.

While my heart waits patiently

for when we shall be together again,

and my soul aches to love you once more.

I realize that when I reach for the stars

for that angelic figure in the sky.

You were my goal, my hearts dream.

My soul whispers softly, words of love and passion

so sweet to coax you, my angel, to earth

to fill my heart with unending love

that can only be found in loving you.

To be apart from you is torture to the highest degree,

but to love you is to know the meaning of ecstasy.

Say that you'll love me forever

and I will be yours till the end of time.

Cyril read the words several times. No wonder Lady Annabelle held it on her person. She should have been more careful though. This letter in the wrong hands could ruin her reputation. He wondered if the man who wrote such a passionate declaration was someone from her past or present. Was the letter a proposal for marriage and did she accept or decline?

He could never imagine feeling such devotion, passion for someone. His world was orderly, manageable and devoid of such nonsense. Love is the most impractical feeling that has ever existed. He'd seen it drive men to murder, bankruptcy, and ruin time and time again in his line of business.

"No, better to be without such a volatile emotion."

He folded the letter and placed it back in his pocket. He will have to figure out a way to get it back to her, it was obvious by her reaction that it meant a great deal to her. Just thinking of Lady Annabelle caused confusion in his well-ordered existence. He paused thinking of his reaction to just seeing her.

It felt like the air was sucked out of his lungs and his stone dropped to the pit of his stomach. He had thought things and wished things that seem now so foolish to even consider. His thoughts drifted again to the letter. The writer called her an Angel and that was his impression of her too. She just seemed to beam radiant light.

He touched his sleeve thinking of her trembling touch as he escorted her to the table for tea. She seemed so fragile he felt driven to protect her, but then he thought of Lady Annabelle's Aunt and her comment.

"Wrong sort of man," Cyril scoffed.

It was a statement that burned him in several different ways. One he would never take advantage of any woman, let alone one as sweet and innocent as Lady Annabelle seemed to be. Review of the letter again showed, as passionate as it sounded, there was an innocence to it as well. There was no direct mention of a physical relationship, it all appeared to be metaphorical.

Her Aunt probably hoped someone in the upper echelon to snap up her niece. Lady Annabelle will be given to the highest bidder or up for the best title. Cyril felt suddenly restless and began to pace the room. It seemed an unfair fate.

He would never have a title. He was a man of business. He made several good investments which left him in no need of Lady Bentley's funds. He could take care of her easily, and in a manner she would be accustomed to.

His own thoughts stopped him in his tracks. "Was he seriously considering what Mr. Harris said? Did he really think he should throw his hat into the ring of contenders? Did he seriously desire her to be his?"

"Yes!" his heart shouted at him. "No, absolutely not!" came from his brain. Cyril was now officially at war with himself and he had no idea which side he hoped to win.