He was speaking in this way because he knew how intelligent she was and he thought it would appeal to her imagination.
She had already told him when they visited the library how thrilled she was to see so many books.
“Do – you mean – ” Safina started to say and then was too embarrassed to go any further.
“What I mean,” the Duke said firmly, “is that we get to know each other. We have met today and we are like two people cast away on a desert island who have never met each other before and have to use their wits to save themselves from extinction.”
Slowly Safina turned her head back so that she could look at him directly.
“That is exactly what has – happened,” she whispered.
“Of course it is,” the Duke said, “and this house is indeed a kind of desert island, only lacking the wild bana
