“My father is in – his study,” she said nervously. “And I am sure he would – like to – meet you.”
“I have no wish to meet your father or anyone else,” Sir Roger said. “It is you I want to talk to, so stop running away, Valencia, and listen to what I have to say.”
She moved further away from him, but he reached out his hand and caught her by the wrist.
“You are lovely, ridiculously and absurdly lovely,” he exclaimed, “and I can think of better things we might do than waste our time talking.”
His arm began to encircle her.
Because she realised that he was drawing her closer to him, she gave a cry of fear and started to struggle.
“I want to kiss you!” Sir Roger said. “And I suspect you have not been kissed before. I can assure you, Valencia, you will find it very delightful, as I shall.
