He put on a smart whipcord coat and then he turned to smile at his friend and held out his hand.
“Thank you, Harry, and everything in the house is at your disposal.”
“For how long?” Harry enquired.
“Until Elfa and I are ready to return to civilisation.”
Looking at him, Harry was thinking that could be a long time. He had never seen the Duke look so happy or so carefree.
There was also something in his expression that made Harry feel he had been through an experience that had changed him in a manner that he could not put into words.
It was not that it had made him seem to be older, but somehow bigger in himself and his character. Harry had a deep affection for the Duke and he knew that it was everything he had wanted for him and yet, up to now, he had somehow missed.
“Give my love to
