The Duchess Disappeared

She paused.

“Also – ?” the Duke questioned.

“There is – another reason – for going – home!”

The Countess laughed.

“I am quite sure that your husband will look after you, my dear, and prevent you from making any mistakes

Fiona learnt that the Earl had told his mother that he had wished to marry her himself, but realised that his suit was impossible.

“Y-you – are – safe!”

She could think only of his danger and not of what had been her own.

“I am safe now and in the future, thanks to you,” the Duke said in his deep voice.

“And now, about this mystery – how do you suggest we start solving it when the best detectives available have failed?”

Nothing is important in Scotland or anywhere else,” Fiona said, “as long as you – love me and we are – together.”

please believe me that it was really impossible for me to get away until now

Only a love so strong, so omnipotent, so majestic and so divine could have united them so completely and so irrevocably

That is the greatest compliment you could ever pay me,” Fiona replied

but now we have to think about you.”