Page 58 (1/2)

“Does that mean you’ll smile and partake in mindless conversation about the weather?”

“It means I shall make an effort simply because you’ve asked me to”

They turned through the iates — the uests up to the house

“Lord above,” Daphne gasped as she surveyed the giant Doric columns that were almost as tall as the house itself “Lord Harwood’s home is rather stately and rand place reat indeed”

Thorpe scanned the rows of s on the facade “Running an estate of this size takes considerable work, time and money”

“Good heavens, Mr Thorpe Did I catch a hint of ad hi that not all peers sit around idle?”

“The viscount and his brother, Lucas Deht for a cause” His gaze softened “I respect anyis abundantly clear, both brothers are in love with their wives”

So, fidelity, honour and integrity were traits Daniel Thorpe valued What more could a woman want from a man? What more could a woman want from a husband?

Love!

“Experience has taught e,” Daphne said Without love to bind a couple together, everything fell apart “Duty is important, but a partnership based on deep affection and shared passions is necessary if one wants to be truly happy”

Daniel’s gaze travelled over her face “I could not agree more”

“Were your parents in love?” Daphne’s father grieved the loss of her mother every day for ten years “Do you think it is better to love for a short time than never at all?”

He ground to a halt and turned to face her From his dull eyes and empty stare, she expected him to say no

“My parents were deeply in love To the else h the words pained hiravel crunched under his feet, and he shuffled aardly

“And what of my second question?” Her heart raced as their eyes locked