Looking for Love

The Marquis of Staverton looked down at her cheeks wet with tears, her lips quivering, and her blue eyes too shy to meet his. "Tell me," he said, "why it matters to you what I think and feel about you."

Gilda could only look up at him helplessly, thinking that he must see love in her eyes and know that she was acutely conscious of his lips near to hers.

"Tell me," he commanded.

"It is... because l... love you! " she said. "I... I know I have... no right to do so... but I cannot... help it."

"Just as I cannot help loving you," the Marquis said, and his lips came down on hers.

Then the wonder of the Marquis's kiss made her feel as if the darkness and fear were all left behind, and he carried her into the sunshine and up into the very heart of the sun.