He hesitated for a moment before he added,
“Of course I would want him to love you as I love your mother and she loves me. From what I have seen of Igor I think you will find that you can change him a great deal and I cannot believe that he will not fall in love with you because, my precious daughter, in so many ways you are perfect.”
Lavinia slipped her hand in his.
“Thank you, Papa, I knew you would understand and, unless I am certain that a man loves me for myself, I will not marry him.”
Her father did not answer, but his fingers tightened on hers and she knew that he understood.
But he recognised that there was nothing more he could say.
That night, when she went to Prince Igor’s room, he was, to her surprise, sitting up in bed.
“I am awake,” he said, “and I feel so much better
