Then the door closed behind the Captain and the Marquis held out his arms.
Perdita ran towards him.
“I love you!” he cried, “and now you are my wife there is no escape. Do you realise that, Perdita? I have helped you to escape so often, but now you are mine and my captive forever.”
“That is – what I – want to be,” she answered.
He swept her into his arms and, as he kissed her, they both felt the engines start up and the floor began to vibrate.
The Marquis picked up Perdita and carried her towards the big carved bed. He set her down against the pillows and then sat down on the blankets facing her.
“I can hardly believe that you really are my wife now,” he said and there was a note of wonder in his voice. “We have been together on so many beds, Perdita, but this time it is different!”
