Thurston House by Danielle Steel

and then suddenly he invited her to dine with him when they stopped at the next town. They left the train arm in arm, and he felt something stir deep inside him as she walked along at his side. She was the kind of woman one wanted to protect, to shield from all harm, and at the same time, show off, Look, she's mine! It seemed unimaginable that she could survive for even an hour alone, and yet she was funny and warm, and had a stiletto-sharp mind. He felt almost like a schoolboy as they talked, ready to grovel at her feet. He was instantly infatuated with her, and he invited her back to his private car after dinner for a cup of tea. She spoke of her husband with warmth and kindness as they rolled along. And she admitted to Jeremiah that she had apparently been totally dependent on him, and she was now, Anally, making the effort to get out in the world on her own, in this case to visit her two oldest children. It was quite obvious that this was her first adventure on her own, and somehow she seemed greatly amused and wondered why she hadn't done it before. Even the minor inconveniences seemed to trouble her not at all. She was the consummate good sport, and as Jeremiah looked at her, he felt certain that she was the loveliest woman he had ever seen.
    For the first time in years, someone had managed to totally push Mary Ellen Browne from his mind. And how different they were. The one so simple and so staunch, so weathered and strong, the other more delicate, more complex, more elegant, more poised, and in her own way, probably even stronger than Mary Ellen. He was clearly drawn to them both, but it was Amelia who had his attention now. She mentioned that she had brought only a maid along, an elderly cousin had been scheduled to make the trip and had fallen ill, and Amelia had decided to go anyway. She wanted to see her girls, and I didn't really need another woman along. Cousin Margaret would hardly be able to take care of me. She laughed at the thought and Jeremiah smiled at her. There was something vulnerable about the violet eyes, and he suddenly longed to hold her in his arms, but he didn't dare. Instead they spoke of Europe and Napa, and his wines, his childhood, her children, his work. He wanted to sit and talk to her all night, but at last, after midnight, he saw her stifle a yawn. They had been together for almost eight hours, and yet he hated to walk her to her car and leave her there.
    Will you be all right? He seemed concerned and she smiled.
    I believe I will. And then, with a warmer smile, I had a lovely time. Thank you very much. She shook his hand and he was suddenly aware of her perfume again. He had noticed it in his private car and he noticed again when he went back. It was an exotic spicy scent with a dollop of freshness and at the same time, deeply sensual. And it was so much like her that as he noticed it lingering in his private car late that night, it was almost as though she were still there with him. And he wished she were as they rolled along endlessly.
    The night seemed to never end as Jeremiah waited for the dawn to come, thinking of the elegant woman he had met, sleeping somewhere on the train. It had been a long time since he had been that taken with anyone, and he stepped down anxiously at their first stop, hoping to see her walking along the platform in the fresh morning air, but there were only a few maids with small dogs, one or two solitary men stretching their legs, and no sign of Amelia anywhere. He went back to his private car, feeling as disappointed as a small child, and then finally, at noon, he strolled the length of the train, and discovered her reading a book and sipping a cup of tea again.
    There you are! He said it almost as one would to a lost child, and she looked up at him with a broad smile.
    Have I been lost? He loved the look in her eyes as he smiled down at her.
    You have been to me. I've been looking for you all day.'
    I was right here. He was impatient to spend time with her,