"And because of that, you doubted my sincerity."
She nodded.
Cranford took a deep breath. It was, he thought, The Right Time! And, heartened, he dared Scheme Four.
Leaning very close to that smooth cheek, he said softly, "Little Zoe, my sweet country maid, my lovely and kind and courageous innocent…
"Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.”
Zoe turned her head then, her eyes swimming with tears, yet bright with a joy that dazzled him. "Oh, Perry! How very… beautiful! And you said I was romantical!"
Cupping her face between his hands, he felt suddenly as poised and self-assured as a dozen August Falcons. He said tenderly, "I'll never have two feet, my darling, and you'll have to endure hearing me thump about on this silly wooden peg. But I can offer you a nice home, and the comforts—if not the elegancies of life. And my heart. Dearest, dearest Zoe. Won't you please at least consider this 'horrid doctor' who loves you so very—"
"Oh, Perry!" she sobbed, reaching out her arms. "I thought you didn't want me!"
There was only one answer to that…
A passing tug hooted repeatedly.
Shouts and whistles came from two ocean-going barges.
Outraged faces stared down from the windows of passing carriages.
The ducks with their cold feet paddled on, undisturbed.
And Peregrine Cranford, his lips pressed to those of the country maiden he adored, banished all her doubts. Forever.
League of Jewelled Men
Time's Fool
Had We Never Loved
Ask Me No Questions
A Shadow's Bliss
Never Doubt I Love
The Mandarin of Mayfair
Never Doubt I Love Page 32