CHAPTER TWELVEAs the Duke lifted her on to the sofa, the Princesse opened her eyes and made a curious little sound. But before she could speak Amé held a glass of brandy to her lips.
“Sip this, madame,” she suggested.
The Princesse did so and the fiery spirit brought the colour to her cheeks. With a gentle gesture she pushed the glass in Amé’s hand to one side.
“I have had enough ‒ thank you,” she murmured. “I am sorry to have been so stupid.”
She raised her eyes for a moment to the Duke’s face and then immediately her glance rested again on Amé. There was amazement in her expression and there was something else as well, the dawn of a tenderness almost beyond words.
Amé crossed the room to set the glass down on the wine table and then returned to her side.
“I am afraid, madame, that
