“I have already told you how much I want you,” the Duke answered, “and I will tell you even more convincingly once we are married.”
Alysia looked at him as if she still could not believe what she had just heard.
Then she said unexpectedly,
“Mama would be so – pleased. I do hope – she knows that I am to be – your wife.”
“You have not mentioned your mother to me before,” the Duke said, “but I shall need to know her name because like yours it will have to be added to my Family Tree.”
To his surprise Alysia looked away from him.
“What is it?” he asked quickly. “What is troubling you?”
“I am – just afraid that you might be – shocked at Mama for running – away with Papa – as her parents were.”
As he kissed Alysia’s hand, the Duke said,
“There must be no secrets between us, my darling. I
