“I love you, darling, but I have been afraid of telling you so in case I frightened you.”

“I-I am not frightened,” Honora said, “but – are you sure – really sure that you – do – love me?”

“I want you to tell me what you feel about me.”

Her eyelashes were dark against her pale skin and it was impossible for her to look at him before she replied in a hesitating little voice,

“Everything we – do is so perfect – so exciting – and at the same time – so thrilling which is – something I have – never known before.”

“And what do you think makes it different?”

For a moment he thought that she would not tell him the truth.

Then she said in a whisper,

“It is – because you are – there.”

“My precious, that is exactly what I feel about you.”

He moved towards her, putting out his arms to draw her closer to him.

As he felt her whole body quiver, he knew that this was something he had never known before in the whole of his life.

He had never felt as if he held someone sacred close to him, someone that he wanted to protect and look after for ever.

He drew her closer and still closer.

Then he asked,

“You are sure, quite sure, that you are no longer afraid of me?”

“I love you!” Honora said. “I did not – know that love could be – like this.”

“What is it like?” the Duke asked, his lips very close to hers.

“It is part of the sunshine – music – the loveliness of the flowers and trees – and of course – the sky,” Honora whispered.

Her last words were almost incoherent and he knew that it was because she was wanting him to kiss her.

Then, as his lips touched hers, he knew that her softness, sweetness and innocence was something he had never imagined he would find.

It was perfect and so very different from anything he had ever known before.

He kissed her gently, as if she was infinitely precious.

Then, as her body seemed to melt into his and he knew that she surrendered herself, his lips became more possessive, more passionate.

When he raised his head he said softly,

“I love you, my precious, adorable little wife! Tell me what you feel about me.”

“I – love you!” Honora said. “I love you until you – fill the whole world – and there is – nothing else but – you.”

The Duke kissed her again.

“When did you – first know you – loved me? “Honora asked when she could speak.

“When I carried you upstairs after you fainted, I knew that I wanted to protect you and never let you be in any danger again.”

“And afterwards you were – so kind – and understanding.”

“I thought you needed me, my precious.”

“I – did.”

“After that,” the Duke went on, “I fell more and more in love every moment I was with you and I can no longer keep it a secret.”