He felt Honora’s fingers tremble beneath his.

Then she said,

“S-suppose we – never fall in love with each other – and you continue to – hate me?”

“I have already explained I was not hating you personally,” the Duke replied. “If we both try to forget our wedding and what led up to it, perhaps we could play a game of pretending we had just met and both thought it would be interesting to get to know each other better.”

Honora gave a tiny laugh that was somehow unsteady.

“I-I think that might be – rather exciting.”

“Very well, then that is what we shall do,” the Duke said, “but you must promise me three things.”

“What – are they?”

“That you will not run away from me, that you will not go into danger as you did tonight and that you will trust me and tell me what you are thinking and feeling.”

He felt her fingers stiffen as if she was surprised.

Then she said,

“Suppose what I am thinking – makes you angry?”

“I see no reason why anything you think should make me angry,” the Duke said, “and shall I say I shall take a chance on it and you must do the same?”

She gave him a little smile.

“It might be very wonderful to be able to talk to you as I used to talk to Papa. Ever since he – died there has been nobody I could – really talk to about things that matter to me – and it has been – very lonely.”

Because the way she spoke was very pathetic, the Duke’s hand tightened on hers before he said,

“I shall look forward to our conversations, but now I think you should go to sleep without dreaming and without being afraid.”

“I am – no longer afraid of you,” Honora said, “at least – not at the moment.”

“You are quite sure of that?”

“Quite sure and I can sense that you are feeling – differently about me than you did before.”

“I suppose now I think about it,” the Duke said, “I can also sense what you are feeling. And I think, Honora, that just as you knew I would come and save you tonight, you know that I will always help you if I can, however difficult the problem may seem.”

“Will you – really do that?” Honora asked. “I may be a terrible nuisance – and perhaps cost you – more money.”

Unexpectedly the Duke said,

“Look at me, Honora!”

She turned her eyes to his and he thought that he had never before looked into eyes that were so clear, innocent and unspoilt.

“What I want you to understand,” he said very quietly, “is that where you and I are concerned money is not important, nor is anything else except that we must both try to understand each other and make our marriage a success.”

His voice deepened as he went on,

“It may not be easy, but if we both try very hard and trust each other, then I believe all the difficulties and problems will melt away.”