Chapter Fifteen

Elissa awoke to the gentle prodding of her lady’s maid, Sophie Hopkins. Dressed in a simple white skirt and blouse, with her dark hair and big dark eyes, Sophie looked like a fragile waif. Fortunately, she was sturdier than she appeared.

“Wake up, milady. Your bath is ready and waiting. You don’t want the water to get cold.”

Elissa blinked groggily, then remembered she was sleeping in the guest room at Adrian’s town house and her eyes popped open. “Sophie! How on earth did you get here?”

“Colonel Kingsland sent word to the duchess last night. She sent for me first thing this morning, told me the colonel’s carriage would be coming to pick me up and that I should bring you some fresh clothes to wear. I hung ’em over there in the armoire.”

Elissa smiled, thinking that Adrian always seemed to take care of things. As he had done with Steigler. As long as she lived, she would never forget the sight of him bursting through the door to save her. Or the fury in his eyes when he had seen what Steigler had done.

Her gaze swung back to her maid. “Did I hear you mention a bath?”

“Aye, milady. The water is hot and I put in some lilac scent I found with the towels on the dresser.”

“Thank you, Sophie.” The girl helped her out of bed, Elissa wincing as her stiff, aching muscles began to move.

“I know it’s none of my business, milady, but it wasn’t … it wasn’t the colonel who hurt you?”

Elissa shook her head. “The colonel is a gentleman.” She smiled. “He might not know it, but he is. And he would never hurt a woman.”

Sophie nodded, apparently satisfied with that. It wouldn’t take much for the girl to figure out it was Steigler who had treated her so badly. Fortunately, the willowy little maid had been the model of discretion since they had left England.

She crossed the bedchamber, drawn to the wonderful lilac scent. Sophie helped her strip off her borrowed night rail and slide into the small copper bathing tub. With a sigh of pleasure, Elissa sank down in the steamy bubbles, drew her knees up beneath her chin, and settled back against the rim of the tub.

She soaked for a while, absently trailing hot water over her skin, then Sophie washed her hair and scrubbed her back. It felt wonderful to be clean once more, to wash away the awful memories of Steigler, the feel of his long-fingered hands on her body.

“Are you finished, milady?”

Elissa shook her head. “I’d like to soak a little while longer. The water feels so wonderful and it isn’t cold yet.”

Sophie smiled. “All right, I’ll come back in a bit. In the meantime, it’ll do you good to relax.” The girl left the room, the door closing softly behind her.

Elissa must have drifted off for a time. The water was chill and when she opened her eyes, most of the bubbles were gone. A shadow fell over the edge of the tub and her glance shot in that direction, lighting on a pair of tall black boots.

Elissa sat up straighter in the tub. “Adrian! I—I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I was worried about you, is all.”

His eyes skimmed down to her breasts, glinted, then grew oddly dark. Something tightened in her stomach and her nipples went hard. Unconsciously her hands came up to cover them.

Adrian cleared his throat and turned away. “I’ll fetch your maid,” he said gruffly, starting for the door. “The water’s bound to be cold. You’ll catch a chill if you stay in there much longer. When you’re dressed, I’ll come back and we can finish our conversation.”

“I’m feeling much better. If you don’t mind, I’d rather join you downstairs.”

He made a brief nod of his head. “I’ll have cook prepare something for you to eat.” She watched him close the door, her nipples still taut, feeling oddly disappointed. What had she expected? That he would drag her out of the tub and ravish her there on the floor?

Her stomach fluttered pleasantly. Sweet God, it didn’t sound all that bad.

Elissa shot to her feet, ashamed at her wicked thoughts. Dripping onto the floor, she reached for the towel on the dresser just as Sophie walked in and rushed to hand it over. Twenty minutes later she was walking into a small sunny room at the rear of the town house. The aroma of coffee floated on the air, and a pot of the rich black brew laced with hot milk, a drink they called Melange, sat in the middle of the table next to a large fresh fruit compote and a big silver tray of fresh pastries, including a strudel of apple and pot cheese.

She reached out to steal a bite off one corner, then snatched back her hand when she caught a glimpse of Adrian’s tall frame leaning against the wall in the corner. He moved away with casual grace, a soft chuckle rumbling in his chest.

“Don’t let me stop you. If I hadn’t eaten already, I’d be hard-pressed to resist.”

Elissa smiled and let him seat her, then he took a chair across from her, his uniform spotless though she remembered earlier his tall black boots had been edged with mud.

“You’re looking much better this morning,” he said. “How do you feel?”

“Much improved, I’m happy to say. The bath was a godsend. Thank you, Adrian.”

His eyes touched hers for a moment as he remembered the sight of her sitting naked in the tub, and she didn’t miss the heat in his gaze. Then he glanced away, handing her the fruit compote, which she accepted and spooned onto the gold-rimmed porcelain plate. She took a pastry while Adrian poured hot coffee into her cup.

She straightened the napkin in her lap. “What about you? Are you sure you aren’t hungry?”

He shook his head. “I’ve been up for hours. As a matter of fact, I’ve already been to see General Ravenscroft. We went over the matter you and I discussed last night, and he has agreed to look into the death of your brother.”

Pain mingled with relief, then uncertainty arose. “Are you sure we can trust him?”

“The general is an honorable man—I have known him for more than ten years. And he was already aware of the spy in our midst.”

“He was?”

“Yes.”

There was something in his manner that reminded her of last night when she had mentioned the Falcon. “You know more about this than you are saying. I have told you all I know yet you are holding something back. What is it?”

For a moment he didn’t answer, his features inscrutable, his eyes assessing her. Trust, it seemed, came as hard for him as it did for her.

“Several weeks ago, a man was killed here in Vienna. Apparently the man was passing secret information. A note was found, but there was no clue as to who might have sent it. There was no signature, but there was a mark, the image of a bird made by a ring or a seal of some sort. From what you have said, that bird must signify the Falcon.”

Excitement filtered through her. For the first time since she had come to Austria, she felt as if she might actually be getting somewhere. “But that’s wonderful! Surely that is a valuable clue.”

“When we talked about the letter your mother received, you didn’t mention why your brother believed the traitor was one of the men he named.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know. Karl must have had some reason to think so. He wasn’t the type to make unsubstantiated claims.”

“Yes, well, whatever his reasons, we can’t know them now. But at least we have something to go on.”

Elissa reached over and gripped his hand. It felt warm and strong, and an image flashed of the tender way he had held her in the carriage.

“I don’t know how to thank you. You can’t know how much it means to know you’re going to help me.”

Adrian arched a brow. “Help you? My lovely little angel, of course I’m going to help you. I’m going to do my best to find out who this man is, and in the meantime, you’re going home.”

Elissa blinked, struggled for a moment, trying to grasp the meaning of his words. “Home? What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the war, love. It’s breathing down our necks. Four days ago the archduke’s forces clashed with Napoleon’s Grande Armée. Charlie lost the encounter and was forced to retreat. God knows what will happen next, but one thing is clear—unless the Austrians can stop him, Napoleon will be marching on Vienna. I want you home where you’ll be safe.”

Very carefully, she set her coffee cup back in its saucer and blotted her mouth with the crisp linen napkin in her lap.

“I don’t think you understand, Adrian. I told you all this because I trusted you. I believed you would help me find the man who killed my brother and perhaps find a way to stop a traitor. I don’t intend to leave Austria until that goal is accomplished. I did not tell you so that you could send me away.”

The gentleness in his expression vanished. Adrian fixed her with a hard green glare. “Need I remind you, sweeting, of the beating you suffered last night? If you don’t recall, Steigler very nearly raped you. Aside from that, your brother has been murdered. One of the Falcon’s couriers was murdered. This is dangerous business, Elissa. A woman has no place in it. It’s time for you to go home.”

Her chin angled up. “No.”

“Be reasonable. There is nothing more you can do.”

“I said I’m not going.”

Adrian’s fist slammed down on the table. “Yes you are!”

“No I’m not!”

“By God, you’re going back to England if I have to tie you up and hire someone to drag you there!”

She shoved back her chair and surged to her feet. “You are not my keeper, Colonel Kingsland. I’ll return to England when I’m good and ready and not a moment before. Need I remind you that I’m a grown woman? I have friends and relatives here who will not allow you to run over me as you are attempting to do.” She stiffened her spine. “Now, if you will please call for your carriage, I should very much appreciate a ride back to the palace.”

A muscle leapt in his cheek. Fury glittered in those hard green eyes. “You are the most stubborn, most reckless, most willful woman I have ever met!”

“And you, Colonel Kingsland, are the most arrogant, most domineering, most irritating man I have ever met!”

For long seconds they just stood glaring, till the major’s amused voice sounded through the open door. “I see you two have sized each other up fairly well. Now, do you suppose we might sit down and discuss this matter like adults instead of ill-tempered children?”

Adrian swore softly. “’Tis the lady who behaves as a child—and should she continue, she may well find herself over my knee.”

Elissa shrieked in outrage. “Don’t you dare threaten me, Colonel Kingsland! I’m leaving—with or without your assistance.” Turning away from him, she marched past the major, calling up the stairs for her maid.

Adrian swore a savage curse, fighting to ignore Jamie’s soft laughter and rein in his formidable temper. “Damnable woman. She’s a handful, Jamie, I tell you.”

His friend merely smiled. “Perhaps she is right. Have you thought of that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about a way to get close to Josef Becker. She managed to intrigue General Steigler, and Pettigru was clay in her hands. Perhaps there is a way she could help.”

Adrian shook his head. “It’s too bloody dangerous.”

“She isn’t going to leave, Adrian, and you can’t make her go. Wouldn’t she be safer with you looking after her than going off by herself, trying to find this man on her own?”

“She won’t do that. She hasn’t the foggiest notion where Becker is, and even if she knew, she couldn’t get to him.” He shook his head. “No, I’m keeping her out of this and that’s final.”

Jamie looked amused and Adrian grumbled a curse. Brushing past his friend, he started for the door, arriving just in time to see Elissa tying her cloak beneath her chin with quick, jerky motions, then bending to pick up the satchel she had carried down from the guest room. Her lady’s maid hurried down the stairs behind her.

“It’s all right, Adrian,” Jamie said, walking forward to take the bag from Elissa’s hand. “I’ll be happy to see the lady home.”

Adrian glared at Elissa, who turned and started walking away. “Fine,” he said. “And while you’re at it, see the little vixen stays out of trouble.”

Jamie only laughed as the little group marched out the door. Damn her, Adrian thought. How could a single female cause him so much trouble? And to make matters worse, he couldn’t even bed her. Damn her to bloody hell.

Then again, perhaps this was for the best. He was getting too involved with the girl and that was the last thing he wanted.

He would do his work, he vowed, and when he was done, perhaps he would pay a call on Cecily Kainz. She might not set his blood on fire the way Elissa did but she was certainly far easier to manage.

*   *   *

Elissa stared out the window of the carriage, watching the tall baroque buildings pass by, listening to a newsboy on the corner hawking the morning paper, all the while fuming at Adrian. She never should have trusted him. She should have known he would behave like the arrogant lout he was. She should have known he would behave like a high-handed brute!

“I realize you are angry.” The major’s voice drifted toward her from the opposite side of the carriage. “But it is worry for you that makes him behave that way. He feels responsible for you. He doesn’t want to see you get hurt.”

“He isn’t responsible for me. I can take care of myself.”

“The way you did last night?”

Her face went warm. She didn’t like to think about Steigler. “I’m grateful for what the colonel did. I will always be in his debt, but I can’t let that stop me from doing what I’ve come for.”

“You’re grateful. Is that all you feel for him—gratitude? Or is there something else?”

Why was he pushing, forcing her to face her feelings when she was trying so hard to ignore them? “I admit I have come to … to care for the colonel—at the moment I am at a loss to understand why—but the fact is I do.”

“As he cares for you,” the major said. He leaned toward her across the carriage, flicking a sidelong glance at her maid. “I realize now is not the time to discuss this, but I think you should know Colonel Kingsland is not the sort to allow his feelings to guide him in matters as important as these. His emotions run deep and he guards them well. It is a measure of his affection that he is so concerned.”

Affection. That was what Adrian felt for her? So bland a word couldn’t begin to describe her feelings for him. Dear Lord, if he only knew!

“Thank you, Major, I shall certainly keep that in mind.” Along with the knowledge of her own unruly emotions, and the fact that she had fallen in love with him. She wouldn’t tell him, of course. It had only been since last night—during the long, unbearable moments with Steigler—that she had realized the full extent of her feelings for Adrian.

Until last night, she had always believed she would fall in love with a kind, gentle, comfortable man, a man of letters, perhaps, or a clergyman.

It wasn’t what her father had wanted, of course. He had wanted her to marry a nobleman, someone of rank and power. He’d said she needed the sort of man who would challenge her, someone who would appreciate her spirited nature but wouldn’t be intimidated by it.

Elissa had always just laughed. Until she met Adrian. Now she couldn’t imagine life with a man of less passion, less magnitude. Wolvermont was larger than life, and when she was near him, she felt that way, too. That she could do anything, be anything, accomplish anything she set her mind to. What it was about him she could not quite say, only that she was drawn to his powerful presence as she never had been to another man.

“We are arrived, my lady.”

Elissa nodded at the major, let him help her down from the carriage, and thanked him for his kind escort home. She was inside the palace and halfway up the sweeping staircase before Fritz, the duchess’s butler, called up to her from the marble floor below.

“Lady von Langen, I am sorry to disturb you but the duchess wishes to see you. She left word that I should summon you to her presence immediately upon your return.”

Elissa released a breath. She should have known she wouldn’t get off so easily. “Where is she?”

“The Yellow Salon. If you will please follow me.”

She trooped along behind him, grateful Sophie had arrived at the colonel’s town house with appropriate clothes, and stepped inside the drawing room. It was done in ivory and a bright lemon yellow, with yellow striped draperies on the windows, yellow overstuffed sofas, and huge potted plants along the walls. It was cheerful, even on an overcast day like this one; it was one of Elissa’s favorite rooms in the palace.

“Come in, my dear.” The duchess’s voice floated up from among the silk cushions of a deep saffron chair near the fire. “Come here so that I may have a look at you.”

Elissa flushed. She had used a bit of rice powder to disguise the bruise on her jaw but the faint blue shadow still remained.

The duchess frowned as Elissa approached, her thin, nearly gray brows pulling down toward her slightly long, too thin nose. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Your colonel explained a bit of what happened in his note.” She reached out and caught Elissa’s chin, turned her head from side to side. “It could have been worse, I suppose. Thank God the baron reached you as quickly as he did.”

Elissa smiled, warmed by the memory of Adrian’s daring rescue. “Colonel Kingsland is an amazing man.” He was that and more. As angry as she was with him, she couldn’t stop a surge of admiration. “He is the bravest man I have ever met.”

“Yes … well, we are all of us grateful for his efforts.”

“Steigler is ruthless and without a trace of conscience. He should be stopped, Your Grace.”

“He is useful to the government. As long as that is the case, he’ll be able to do more or less as he pleases. Were you able to discover any proof that he is the Falcon?”

Elissa shook her head. “I’m afraid not. In fact, the colonel believes I am wrong about him.”

The older woman shifted in her chair, the rings on her bony fingers flashing in the light of the lamp on the table beside her. “What do you believe?”

“To tell you the truth, I’m not sure anymore. He is certainly capable of being a traitor. His behavior last night proved that. If only I could have gotten into his room at the emperor’s palace I might have found something…” Even before she finished the sentence, an idea burst forward, slamming into her brain with the force of a blow.

“What are you thinking?” Shrewd pale blue eyes drilled into her with almost equal force.

“That perhaps it isn’t too late. The colonel says the fighting has begun, that the archduke has encountered the French.”

“With unfortunate results, I’m afraid.”

“Surely the general will be called to duty.”

“He has already left Vienna.”

“Then there is no reason why I can’t search his house. From what the colonel has told me, there is a ring or a seal of some sort that signifies the Falcon. If Steigler has the seal, it might be somewhere in his suite of rooms.”

“The odds of that are unlikely. If there were such an object, most surely he would carry it with him.”

“True, but there is always the chance he left it behind. Since the emperor is here, this must be where most of Steigler’s information comes from. He might have left the seal here, and since he is already gone, there is very little risk of my being caught.”

“If you could manage to get in.”

Elissa chewed her lip. “That could very well pose a problem.”

The duchess leaned back in her chair, her pale blue eyes gleaming with speculation, the scent of her sweet perfume, jasmine perhaps, tinged with cinnamon or some other spice, floating heavily in the air. It wasn’t Elissa’s favorite.

“I believe I could be of some help,” the duchess said. “My footman Hans has a number of useful skills. His youth was a bit disreputable. He claims there isn’t a lock that’s been made that he cannot open.”

Elissa clapped her hands, controlling an urge to grin like a fool. “Oh, thank you, Your Grace. You’re incredible!”

The older woman watched her, her features inscrutable. “Do you not wonder why it is I would help you in a plan as dangerous as this? Your scheme is, after all, hardly something a young woman of your station should involve herself in.”

“I suppose because you wish to catch a spy who might harm your country.”

“That is true. But mostly because you are trying to accomplish something few women would ever attempt. In doing so, you are living a grand adventure, the sort a woman is never allowed to live. I used to dream what it might be like to be free of responsibility, able to go out and seek my own destiny. It was foolish, of course, not something a sane woman did, especially not a duchess.”

She shifted in her chair, her face flushed with reminiscence. “Ah, to be free of society’s strictures—even for a little while—to experience life to the fullest measure. That takes courage, my dear, and I admire you for it.” She eyed Elissa down the length of her nose. “Just be certain to temper it with wisdom if you wish to survive this affair.”

“I will, Your Grace, I promise you.”

“Now what of Steigler?”

“The general told me he lives in a town house across from Karlskirche.”

“Yes, I know where it is.”

“Then there is no reason I can’t go there tonight.”

“You will have to be careful,” the duchess said. “Whether he is there or not, you will be breaking the law.”

“I’ll be careful. More than careful. If I find nothing there, I’ll presume he is not the man we want. I’ll steer my search toward Becker, discover his whereabouts and find a way to approach him.”

“First things first,” the duchess said, waving a thin, heavily ringed hand. “It would be far better for us all if Steigler proved to be our traitor.”

*   *   *

The soft chant of crickets drifted on the still night air. Thin patches of moonlight filtered through the passing gray clouds as Adrian swung a leg over the windowsill of Steigler’s town house and eased himself down to the ground below. The rear of the house fell in shadow, dark except for the glow of a lamp in one of the servants’ third-floor bedchambers.

Dressed in black from the scarf tied around his neck to the bottom of his Wellington boots, Adrian disappeared easily into the darkness, his task completed, staying close to the walls of the house, heading for his carriage, which waited on a side street half a block away. He had just reached the corner of the house when the muted whisper of voices seeped toward him.

Adrian paused, backing farther into the shadows, straining to hear, wondering whom it could be. Two people, he saw, one tall and lean, the other small and slender, both of them cloaked in black. A grating sound, quickly muffled, ruptured the evening quiet, the turning of a lock, Adrian knew, but he didn’t think the man was using a key. Then the pair disappeared inside the house.

Adrian moved closer, creeping stealthily toward the back door. Who was it? And why would they be breaking into Steigler’s house? Even as the thought took form, an odd suspicion tingled up his spine.

She wouldn’t dare, he thought. Not after he had warned her, not after her last encounter with the general. But the size and shape was right, and deep down he knew she would do it. There was very little Elissa Tauber would not dare. Anger made him bolder than he should have been. He opened the back door and climbed the servants’ stairs up to Steigler’s private suite of rooms.

Pressing himself against the wall, he peered through a narrow crack in the door to see the tall, lean man moving silently around the small upstairs sitting room. With practiced skill, the man opened drawers and chests, quietly examining one object after another. Ignoring him, Adrian opened the door to the general’s bedchamber and silently eased inside, slipping behind the draperies to watch the slender figure who had shoved back the hood of her cloak, whose cap of shiny blond hair glistened like gold in the light slanting in through the window.

She was opening and closing drawers, stopping to riffle through the pages of Steigler’s books, examining the papers on his small writing desk.

The same things Adrian had done the hour before.

He watched her work with steady purpose, making her way in his direction. As she turned to pull open a bureau drawer, he stepped close behind her, sliding an arm around her waist and hauling her against him. At her sharp squeak of surprise, he clamped a hand over her mouth and leaned down to her ear.

“Looking for something, angel?”

The sound of his voice made her stiffen even more, then the tension slowly seeped from her body. He took his hand away and the fear in her eyes receded into anger.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed as she turned to face him. “You said you didn’t believe Steigler was a spy.”

He grinned at that. “I don’t, but there is always the chance—remote as it might be—that I could be mistaken.”

She settled her hands on her hips. “If that is the case, I suggest you get to work. It would hardly look good on your military record to be arrested as a thief.”

He chuckled softly, enjoying himself far more than he should have been. “I’ve already searched the house. I didn’t find a damnable thing.”

“Did you look in the study? Perhaps there is something—”

“Every drawer, every book, every file. If there is something to be found, he has taken it with him.”

“Damn,” Elissa muttered, and Adrian grinned again.

“Come on, little heathen. Summon your cohort in crime and let’s get out of here.”

She agreed with a sigh of disappointment and started toward the door, Adrian following behind her.

“Who is he, by the way?” he asked. “Some other poor sod you have charmed into doing your will?”

Elissa tossed him a glare. “He happens to be the duchess’s footman, a trusted family retainer.”

“Who just happens to know how to pick locks.”

“Yes. ’Tis rather convenient, I would say.” She motioned to the footman, who stiffened when he saw Adrian standing at the door. The man relaxed at the calm in Elissa’s face and joined them in the hall.

A few minutes later they were standing outside in the shadows at the rear of the town house, feeling the chill through their clothes.

“Tell your footman to take the carriage and go home. There are things we need to discuss. When we have finished, I’ll see you safely returned.”

She eyed him with a bit of interest, then turned and repeated his orders to the tall, lean man a few feet away.

“You are certain, my lady, that you will be all right?” the footman asked, tossing a glance in Adrian’s direction.

“I’ll be fine.”

He made a polite bow of his head. “As you wish, my lady.” With a final assessing glance, he jogged off in the direction they had come, and Adrian led Elissa away.

“My carriage is just down the block.”

She lifted her skirts above the mud in the garden, and when they reached his conveyance, he helped her climb in, choosing the seat across from her although he would far rather have had her sitting in his lap as she had done the night before.

They passed beneath a streetlamp and he noticed the firm set of her jaw. “All right, Colonel. What is it you wish to discuss?”

“I could say your lunacy in breaking into the general’s quarters, but since I was doing the same thing, I shall restrain myself.”

“Good idea,” she said.

Adrian leaned back against the tufted black leather, watching her fidget beneath his regard, enjoying the soft play of moonlight on her bouncy golden hair, the full pink curve of her bottom lip. When his body began to grow hard, he glanced away.

“Well?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Dammit, I don’t bloody like this.”

“You don’t bloody like what?”

He frowned. “Now you’re cursing. First you are breaking into houses and now you are cursing.”

“I’m not cursing. You are the one who is cursing. I am merely trying to discover what it is you are talking about.”

“I’m talking about catching a spy—that’s what. You won’t go back to England. Obviously you’re not going to heed my warnings, which leaves me no other choice.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“You win, dammit. I’m going to let you help me.”

Her eyes went wide. “You are?”

“For now. But we’re going to do this my way and you are going to follow my orders—every last one of them.”

Elissa made a bubbly, joyous sound in her throat and smiled at him so brightly something tightened in his chest.

“You won’t be sorry. I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll follow your orders completely.”

He chuckled softly. “I’ll believe that when I see it. In the meantime, I want you to keep your eyes and ears open. I’ll let you know what’s going on, and as soon as I locate Becker, we’ll go after him.”

She grinned at him, flashing a bright white smile in an achingly lovely face. She squared her shoulders and gave him a smart salute. “Aye, Colonel Kingsland. Whatever you say, sir.” Reaching over, she took his hand, gave it an excited squeeze. “Thank you, Adrian.”

He sighed into the darkness of the carriage. “Whatever you do, don’t thank me. Not until this is over and you are safe again in England. In the meantime, I had better get you home.”

Elissa nodded, but as he watched her smile, as he felt the warmth of her hand in his, he found that home was the last place he wanted to take her. To bed—most assuredly. But in that moment, he discovered he would be happy just to sit with her as he was now, to watch the excitement in her eyes, to see her smile, and listen to the laughter in her voice.

The knowledge was so frightening, so totally unexpected, a knot of fear rose in his chest and he felt slightly sick to his stomach. Adrian steeled himself, suddenly grateful he was taking her home and that soon he would once more be alone.