“It is this,” he said. “The money I have given you is a gift that has no strings attached, and I do not want your gratitude in any way that you have not shown me already.”

“You mean – ?” Thalia began incredulously.

“I mean, my darling,” the Earl said, “that nothing has changed as far as I am concerned from the way it was when we left each other last night. What you have asked me for is something quite different from what we have discussed previously or intend to discuss tonight or at any other time.”

As if she understood what he was saying, he saw the tears come into her eyes making them seem larger and even more beautiful than they were before.

“How can you – be so – different from what I – expected?” she asked, “and so much more – understanding?”

The tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks.

“That is another question I will answer tonight,” he said, “when we have more time. I have a feeling now that you should be back at your work. I would not wish you to get into trouble on my account.”

Thalia’s lips quivered, but she could not speak and the Earl took his handkerchief from his breast pocket and very gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

“I am sure everything will be all right,” he said, “and better still if you trust me as I want you to do. I just want you to realise that I am here to help you in any way I can.”

“I – love – you.”

The words were hardly audible, but the Earl heard them.

“I have so much to tell you about my love for you,” he said, “but it is going to take a very long time. Now, since the Prince Regent is expecting me and he very much dislikes being kept waiting, I suggest that we leave all the things we have to say to each other until tonight.”

Thalia thought that from the expression in his eyes and the feeling, although he was no longer touching her, that she was really in his arms and there was no need for words.

She knew that they were close to each other as they had been when he had kissed her and she was sure that he felt the same.

They walked across the room side by side and the Earl helped her into the phaeton.

As they drove away down Berkeley Square, she thought that the sunshine was more golden and glittering than she had ever seen it before in her whole life.

Only, as the horses moved a little slower up Hay Hill, the Earl asked,

“Shall I take you to the back door?”

“Yes – please,” Thalia replied.