“It – it – was – marvellous for – me.”
“You had never been kissed before?”
“No!”
“I was sure of it,” the Marquis said, “so sure, my darling, I was counting the hours until my guests left and I could kiss you again.”
Lara leant her head against his shoulder.
“I thought you would be – shocked because I had been – looking at the – beautiful gowns owned by Lady Brooke.”
She felt as she spoke that she was confessing something reprehensible. At the same time she had to be truthful.
“You shall have far more beautiful ones,” the Marquis smiled, “and yet you are so lovely, my precious, that I adore you just as you look now.”
“I felt so ashamed of my clothes and my riding habit,” Lara whispered.
The Marquis laughed.
“You are really a woman at heart. Sometimes when you argued with me and de
