Two reclusive people meet in a charity soup kitchen in a down-and-out area of London, and their mutual attraction tempts them to follow their hearts. Both know that breaking out of their social shells risks revisiting buried traumas, but it might re...
After the tensions concerning Broughton had eased, Valerie directed the conversation to home matters, asking Penny, "Did George bring much from Chester Square?"
"He and Grace arranged to have everything packed and brought over from the bedrooms, bathrooms and closets. Also the pieces from the drawing room." She chuckled. "It had been rather sparse upstairs."
"We should go up and organise."
"It's been done." Penny pointed along the hall. "And we're nearly done moving Mr Benton's office up to the library."
Lorne nodded. "And my bedroom?"
"Per your instructions, all but the furniture is now up on the second floor."
Chloe grinned as she squirmed on her stool, remaining silent under Valerie's glare.
Lorne returned Chloe's grin, then gave her an exaggerated air kiss. "We should go up and see what's been done." He drained the last from his cup as he stood.
Chloe trotted up the stairs with Chianti at her heels, and while Valerie, Lorne and Penny were still on their way up, Chloe called down, "It looks just like our old home. Well, except for all the empty space."
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"Oh, my! It does, doesn't it?" Valerie said as she walked toward the arrangement at the far end of the drawing room.
Penny accompanied her, explaining, "Grace had taken photos of your arrangement, and we all made a game of duplicating it."
Lorne hugged Valerie to his side. "Feel more like home, now?"
"Oh, God! You have no idea how much. Nearly two months since we've been home – Christmas week disrupted, and ever since." She pointed to the closer of the davenports. "I need to sit and absorb it for a moment. Just feel it again." She grabbed Lorne's hand. "Come sit with me."
She spent a while reacquainting her eyes with familiar objects, then she said to Penny, "I must thank Grace for her thoughtfulness and initiative."
"It was Mr Benton's idea."
Valerie leaned and melted into Lorne, sighing a loud hum as he caressed her. When she had recomposed herself, she lifted her head from Lorne's chest and gazed into his eyes. "When did you have time to arrange this?"
"When Penny told me Grace and George were moving some of your things from Chester Square. You've been camping long enough, and I want you to feel comfortable here. I saw no sense in your moving into emptiness and disorder."
He turned and pointed to the large unfurnished area behind them. "There wasn't time to fill all the emptiness." He shrugged. "Besides, it would have been impossible to match or even to complement your furnishings in such short order."
Valerie nodded as she examined the decor. "I'm overwhelmed." She paused to wipe her cheeks and eyes, then turned to Penny. "You must have worked your butts off to get all this done so quickly."
