It was the love that her sister had had for Alistair and he for her.
It was the love that had always been in her dreams and which she had hoped she might one day find if she was very very lucky.
Now she had found it, but because it was love for a man to whom she must never mean anything, she had to be strong and refuse it.
Almost as if he could read her thoughts and knew what she was feeling, Torquil raised his head and said,
“What can we do, my precious love?”
Then before she could reply he went on,
“I intend to marry you, but I understand what you feel about the children.”
“How can I – trust the – Duke?” Pepita asked.
Her voice was very low and it was difficult to speak because Torquil was kissing her cheek and her heart was beating frantically against his.
“I know that the way
