“Oh, my sweet, forget it!” he said. “I made a mistake and God knows I have paid for it. I cannot be punished further, that would be too cruel. You must be merciful, you must help me because, Fenella, you are for me the only real happiness I have known since I was a boy.”
His voice broke slightly and instantly her arms were round his neck, the softness of her cheek against his.
“Oh, darling, I didn’t mean to be stupid.”
His arms tightened round her.
“I want you to understand that this is so different. Fenella, I love you.”
They clung together for a moment without passion and then in silence they walked down the broad stairway together.
Rex collected the things he had come for, piling them into the back of the car. In the dimness of the half-shuttered hall he turned to Fenella.
“Kiss
