Page 26 of Escaping the Earl
To love that heart that loveth me.
That heart my heart hath in such grace
That of two hearts one heart make we;
That heart hath brought my heart in case
To love that heart that loveth me.
For one the like unto that heart
Never was, nor is, nor never shall be,
Nor never like cause set this apart
To love that heart that loveth me.
Which cause giveth cause to me and mine
To serve that heart of sovereignty,
And still to sing this latter line:
To love that heart that loveth me.
Whatever I say, whatever I sing,
Whatever I do, that heart shall see
That I shall serve with heart loving
That loving heart that loveth me.
This knot thus knit, who shall untwine,
Since we that knit it do agree
To loose not nor slip, but both incline
To love that heart that loveth me?
Farewell, of hearts that heart most fine,
Farewell, dear heart, heartly to thee,
And keep this heart of mine for thine
As heart for heart, for loving me.
As he spokethe last few lines, it seemed as though only he and Sabrina were left in the room together. Something powerful was building between them, and the flush of her skin matched the warmth of his own.
There was a long moment of silence before Zehra spoke up. “My lord, that was lovely.” The other women were all in agreement, though most of the gentlemen looked bored. Lord Lonsdale was already asleep in a chair, and one of the ladies nearest him prodded him into waking up. He shook himself and realized Peregrine had finished.
“I say, well done, Rutland. Didn’t know you could sing like that. Excellent voice.” Lonsdale clapped a few times, and a few of the women stifled giggles.
“Charles,” Lysandra hissed. “He didn’t sing—he recited poetry.”
“Oh, right.” Lonsdale looked back at Peregrine with a sardonic smile and a shrug. Peregrine sighed. When he looked back toward the corner of the room, he found Sabrina had gone. His heart sank. She hadn’t stayed. He thought of the books he wanted to give to her. He could not chase her down now—everyone would know they were gone, and that would only put her reputation more at risk.
