Unexpectedly he put his hand over hers, where they lay with her fingers entwined in her lap.
“Now, listen to me,” he said, “you have been shocked and upset by something that should never have happened. Trust me to prevent such a thing from occurring again. Try instead to enjoy yourself while you are here in my country.”
Valeda started when he touched her, then she sat very still as he spoke.
Now she felt the strength and warmth of his hand over hers and told herself she could trust him.
Although she did not know why, he seemed to be a tower of strength and security in what had suddenly become a tempestuous and frightening world in which she had thought she was drowning.
Then she remembered that the Marquis belonged to Hermione, and her sister would be furious if she knew that they wer
