Love at First Sight

reasoned it out.

Robin had arrived unexpectedly and, as she had given him supper, so there would therefore be very little left for breakfast.

He stopped at the grocer’s shop and went inside and there were only two elderly women at the counter.

They moved aside to stare at him in astonishment.

“Good morning!” the Marquis said to the man who was serving. “I need some food that I am sure you can supply me with.”

“Certainly, my Lord, and it be an honour to ’ave your Lordship ’ere!”

The Marquis smiled.

“You know who I am?”

“Of course, my Lord. We all remembers ’ow you comes down to open the alms houses nigh on six year ago and we saw you after that landslide.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” the Marquis said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

He held out his hand and the grocer shook it.

“Now, what I expects your Lordship requires is somethin’ for the lady and the young gentleman in Miss Dunkill’s cottage.”

The Marquis laughed.

Then he put his arms around her.

Looking round her, she thought that Rake Castle was the most impressive house that she could ever have imagined.

“We will have it later,” the Marquis responded. “I want first to show her Ladyship the room she will be using, which was my mother’s.”

“That’s very good news, my Lord, very good news indeed and I wish you and her Ladyship every happiness!”

“I want you to congratulate me, Bates,” the Marquis said to the butler. “Lady Lavinia and I have just been married and you are the first to know about it!”

Ila squeezed Robin’s hand.

Ila watched as the Marquis kissed Robin and then lifted him into the saddle.

As the carriage came to standstill, she held him very close and they kissed each other.

“I know you will, Robin, and you will tell him to look after you and protect you until we return.”

She held out her arms as she spoke.