The Earl then held her so closely against him that she could hardly breathe before he responded,
“Do you suppose I will not look after you, protect you and make sure that you don’t make any mistakes? You are mine, Marista, mine completely and absolutely and, when you are my wife, my darling, I will love, adore and worship you for the rest of my life.”
“Are you – really saying this to – me?” she sighed. “I feel I must be – dreaming or else it is all part of my – imagination.”
“It is only the beginning of the things I am going to say to you, my precious, and let me assure you, I am very much surprised by my own eloquence.”
Because Marista knew that he was mocking his own feelings and yet he was very much aware of them, she put up her hand to touch his cheek.
“Are you absolutely certain
