“And then, when I kissed you in my house in Berkeley Square, it was only because Wroxhall’s unwelcome attentions had made it seem imperative that I look after you.”

His tone was quiet, but his words brought the blood flooding into Gretna’s cheeks. They brought back all too vividly that moment when he had kissed her and she had not resisted him and indeed had been completely unable to do so.

In her embarrassment she turned away to stand with her back to him to look out over the garden, again fighting for control, fighting, what was more, against a sudden desire to cry.

There was a long silence and then suddenly in a very different tone, the Marquis said,

“Why are we quarrelling? Do you not realise, my dear, that you captivated me from the first moment I set eyes on you?”

It must have been the sudden change in his tone and the unexpected tenderness that brought the tears welling into Gretna’s eyes and running unchecked down her cheeks.

She made a little convulsive movement as if she would run away, although where to she had no idea, and then he was beside her and his arms were round her shoulders.

“What have I done? What have I said that I should make you cry?” he asked. “Oh, my sweet, this is all so unnecessary.”

“I-I am not – c-crying,” Gretna muttered brokenly, trying to turn her head away so that he should not see her face.

“No?” he asked. “Then the stars have fallen out of the sky and are lying on your cheeks. Come, let me wipe them away.”

She would have resisted him, but somehow she could not. Instead she only closed her eyes, the big tears trembling on the end of her long lashes, and felt the softness of his lace-edged handkerchief wipe her cheeks.

He was very close. It was as if the bigness and strength of him had enveloped her and then she opened her eyes to see him looking down at her with an expression on his face that she could not fathom.

“I-I must – g-go,” she stuttered with a sudden frightened movement.

He did not move and she could not pass him.

“Are you running away from me?” he asked. “Or from your heart? I told you that I would make you love me, Gretna. It is a promise, not a threat.”

“I shall never love you! Never!” she cried.

“Why must you be so vehement? And what have you against me?”

“It’s impossible! You don’t – understand,” she answered.

“Tell me and try me,” he urged her.

“I-I cannot,” she replied. “Let me go now, I beg of – you.”