“Thank you!” the Earl sighed.
Then, as if he could not bear it anymore, he walked out of the stables and stood looking up at the chimneys.
He looked so strong and handsome in the sunshine.
‘He must win,’ Iona said to herself. ‘If there is any justice in this world or in Heaven, it is only right that he should do.’
Then, almost as if the words came to her lips, she found herself praying,
‘Please, please God help him!’
They went down to the lake and Iona asked once again if there were any fish to be found in it.
The Earl assured her there were and suggested that, if she was a fisher, they would spend the afternoon fishing.
“It sounds a fascinating idea, my Lord, but unless you want to go hungry for luncheon, I must soon go back to the kitchen.”
“You are posing a difficult choice bet
