He paused.
Marcia did not speak, but her eyes seemed to fill her whole face.
“The alternative,” he went on, “is that I can make you mine here and now and any child born of our union will be my legitimate heir replacing Sardos.”
“Can you – really be – saying this – to me?” Marcia asked.
“It is something I have no wish to say,” the Duc answered, “but I am desperate. And if I am to save my family, who would starve with Sardos in my place, that is what I will do. I also have an obligation to the people on the estate.”
He looked into Marcia’s eyes before he added very gently,
“Before you answer me, I should tell you that I love you! That is something I have never said before to any woman and I have never before wanted to marry any woman. If you will marry me, Marcia, I swear it is what I
