“Thank you.”
The Duke had learnt what he wished to know and thought it was something he might have suspected.
Giona had risen to stand beside him and he thought in the moonlight how very slim and insubstantial she looked and in her grey gown appeared to be part of the shadows.
There was only the light in her eyes to reassure him that she was not just a shadow.
“Goodnight, Giona!” he said in his deep voice. “Take care of yourself until Monday. We have a long drive in front of us, and I would not have you fainting on my hands.”
“I would not do that,” Giona replied, “and thank you for the sandwiches.”
“I hope you will have more than sandwiches to thank me for in a few days’ time.”
Then he was hurrying away through the trees and only when he was out of sight and she could no longer hear
