“I am so happy that I am – afraid!”
The Duke pulled her a little closer to him and said,
“You must never be afraid again. I will look after you, protect you and keep you safe as long as we both shall live.”
“I am only afraid that everything is too perfect, because God has – answered all my – prayers.”
He pulled her closer still and, as she lifted her face to his, she said,
“I prayed that He would make you – love me a little – just a very little – because I love you so much, but now I can hardly – believe that you – love me as you say you do.”
“It is something I am very willing to prove,” the Duke replied, “and, my darling, we have a long time in which I can do so and we have a great many things to do together.”
“I know that is what I have – wanted you to say,” Samala said, “but I ha
