Only when she reached the staircase did he suggest in a low voice,
“Would you like me to carry you?”
“N-no – I am all right – I will walk.”
There was, however, obviously some doubt in her mind and, without saying anything more, Doran picked her up.
He carried her up the stairs and once again she thought how strong he was and that she never wanted to leave the comfort of his arms.
He carried her into her bedroom where her lady’s maid was waiting and, as he put her down on the bed, he said,
“I promise you I will not be long.”
She wanted to hold onto him firmly, but he had gone before she could do so.
Then she told herself that he would come back to her as he had promised.
There was a delicious hot bath waiting for her and, when she had dried herself, she thought perhaps she should p
