“I love you,” Devinia whispered. “I have loved you for such a long time, but I thought, as we were only having a pretend engagement, you would be angry if I fell in love with you – so I was determined to hide it.”
“I will tell you about my love, but I want to hear about yours,” the Duke said. “First we need to be sustained after what we have been through. Also we have to drink to the happiness of our marriage.”
He kissed her cheek before he added,
“A marriage that neither of us expected, but which I know is going to be a perfect one. A Heaven on Earth.”
Devinia gave a murmur of happiness.
As she did so, the Steward arrived with a bottle of champagne and poured out two glasses.
Then, as he left the Saloon, closing the door behind him, Devinia slipped her hand into the Duke’s again.
