The Marquis took off his snow-covered overcoat and lowered himself next to her by the hearth.

"I did not expect the storm to happen," he said, "but now it has I find it quite an adventure."

"It will not be so enjoyable if we have to stay the night," Nerita replied, then lapsed into a stony silence.

He looked at her quietly. "Do you know how extraordinarily beautiful you are?"

Nerita turned her head to one side. "That is not a proper way for the Marquis of Wychbold to address his Nursery-governess," she said coldly.

He shot her a look of passion. "I am not concerned with the Marquis but with a man... a man who finds himself in very strange circumstances with a fascinating, intriguing creature...."