Chapter SevenFor a moment Noella stood immobile, deafened by the sound of the pistol and feeling as if everything was swimming in front of her eyes.
She put out her hand as if for support.
The Earl’s arms went round her and, as he picked her up, she knew that she was alive and the terror was now over.
For a moment she could only close her eyes and feel thankful that he was safe.
Then she realised that he had passed by Hawkins and was carrying her out through the door and into the corridor.
When he reached her bedroom, he pushed open the door with his right foot to take her inside.
He then laid her down very gently on the bed.
As she looked up at him in the candlelight, she knew at that moment of truth, as if a voice from Heaven had told her so, that she loved him.
Instinctively, be
