“Only slightly, Sir Miles, but ’twas his shoulder again. He was tired after the ride⁠— Mr. Carstares thinks he has fainted from exhaustion.”

O’Hara very gently slipped one arm beneath my lord’s shoulders and the other under his knees, rising with him as easily as if he were carrying a baby. He walked over to the couch, lowering his burden on to the cushions that Diana placed to receive him.

“He will be easier there,” he said, and looked across at her.

“Ye are quite safe, child?”

“Quite⁠—quite⁠—He came just in time⁠—and fought for me.” She dabbed openly at her eyes. “I⁠—I love him so, Sir Miles⁠—and now I hear that he is an Earl!” she sighed.

“Well, child, ’twill make no difference, I take it. I hope he’ll make ye happy.”

She smiled through her tears very confidently.