Ready to return to her room after dinner, Emily rose from her chair. "Do I have your permission to retire, Your Grace?"

Godric caught her by her right arm, tugging her right onto his lap. She ought to have struggled, she knew that, but she found it nearly impossible to summon any will to get away. It seemed her heart had finally decided to fight against her head.

"Will you stay in your room as you promised?"

"I promise I won't escape tonight." She tried to remove ...