“I would be – tiresome for you and I would make – you – uncomfortable.”

“It would not be the first time I have shared a bed,” Lord Dorrington replied with a hint of laughter in his voice.

He sensed that she stiffened and after a moment he asked,

“Does that shock you?”

“N-no” Alyna said doubtfully, “but I had not – thought you were like – that.”

“Like what?”

“Like the bucks and fops in London who drink to excess, gamble away their fortunes, and – chase after – women.”

“I hope I do nothing to earn the contempt I perceive in your voice,” Lord Dorrington said. “At the same time, Alyna – I am a man.”

There was silence.

Then Alyna said in a different tone,

“I am being – nonsensical. I will go back to my own – bed if I may leave the doors open between us.”

“But of course,” Lord Dorrington said, “leave them open, Alyna. You have only to make the slightest sound and I will come to your assistance.”

She did not move and then after a moment she said,

“Could you please look and – see if there is – anyone in my room?”

“I will do that and I will take my pistol with me,” Lord Dorrington replied.

He got out of bed, put on a robe that was lying on an adjacent chair and took his pistol from the drawer.

He looked very large and strong, as silhouetted against the dying fire, he walked across the room.

He went through the communicating doors and in a few moments he returned.

“I promise you there is no one there,” he said. “But, as I have already suggested, if you are frightened, Alyna, stay with me.”

“No! I will go – back.”

There was a determination in her voice and he said no more, only holding out towards her a silk wrap that he had brought from her room.

She threw it over her shoulders and, moving ahead of him down the short passage, reached her bedroom.

Lord Dorrington had lit one candle by the bed.

Alyna slipped between the sheets. Then, sitting up against the pillows, she stared at Lord Dorrington with wide frightened eyes.

Her hair covered her shoulders, and in the great bed she looked very like a lost Princess in a Fairytale.

His eyes were watching her before he said quietly,

“Goodnight, Alyna, don’t be afraid and tomorrow I will teach you to shoot.”

”I would like that.”

Then she added hurriedly,

“You will – leave the – doors open?”

“I promise you that they will be open all night and if you call I shall hear you.”

He went from the room.

She lay looking up into the darkness of the passage he had disappeared down.

Then she realised that he must have put some more logs on his fire because suddenly there was a warm glow in the distance.

It was golden and comforting and watching it she fell asleep.

Chapter Eight

“I am a man!”