“‘My dear friend,’ he replied, ‘clothes not only reflect our feelings, they are also a curb on our conduct. One does not yap like a dog when one is dressed like a King!’”

“That is why you became a dandy!” Alyna cried.

“I had always been rather fastidious about my appearance,” Lord Dorrington replied, “and, when I returned to England, the Prince of Wales introduced me to Beau Brummel. It was he who decided that my appearance as his pupil must do him credit.”

“And the Prince of Wales knew how brilliant you were as a swordsman?”

“He has often watched me fight with Signor Berlini, who is the English teacher of swordplay,” Lord Dorrington replied, “and he is well aware of the control I wish to keep upon myself.”

He kissed her eyes before he added,

“I can assure you, my sweetheart, that the self-control I have exerted in regard to duelling has been easy compared to the control I have had to exert not to make love to you and not to kiss you, especially after you became my wife and it has been an inexpressible agony.”

“I thought I – did not – attract you,” Alyna murmured.

“And now you know that you do?”

She felt herself thrill beneath his touch.

“Oh, Knight Errant,” she whispered, “it is so wonderful to know that at last I have someone I can – love. I know now what I have been – missing all my – life.”

“You will never feel unloved again,” Lord Dorrington said, “because, my dearest heart, I love you more than I believed it possible to love any woman. And it is not only that which will make us happy,”

“What else?’’ Alyna asked.

“It is that I believe, as you do, that this is only one of our lives together. There have been so many in the past and there will certainly be many more in the future.’’

He kissed her forehead again before he went on,

“At times both of us have been lonely and solitary, seeking each other, and yet through some quirk of evolution not being born at the same time or perhaps losing each other through death.”

“Don’t say that!” Alyna cried. “Supposing – just supposing I had – drowned myself in the – river and you had not been there to prevent me!”

“Then I would have had to go through this life without you,” Lord Dorrington said. “I would have remained a bachelor and known I was always incomplete because you were not with me.”

Alyna reached out her arm to draw his head down to hers.

“But now we have – found each – other.”

“Now we are together,” he said, “you belong to me and we will be very careful with each other for the rest of our lives.”

His voice deepened as he went on,