She was startled out of her reverie because Toro had stopped. And as though manifested out of her thoughts, there sat Roman upon his great black horse, tall and erect, the very antithesis of a man ruled by his fears.
'Señorita Savalas,' he said formally, inclining his head and touching the brim of his hat. 'I have been waiting for you.' He dismounted and helped her down from the trap, picking her up lightly by the waist and setting her on her feet. Then, he led first Toro, then his own horse, to a stand of trees surrounded by deep grass and tethered them both. All the while, Kara watched him nervously for some sign of what he was about. Would he lay down the law, as had Camilla? Would he send her away from the Casa? Was he going to express contrition for having brought her home by himself, alone?
'Would you like to walk or sit? Come to think of it, you'd better sit. You're not the fainting type, unless it's from exposure, but you are the most unruly girl where emotional matters are concerned! How about that big log there that's catching the last of the sun?'
As they made their way to the log, Kara was acutely conscious of the man walking close beside her, finding that she longed- and feared- to touch him.
'Kara Savalas,' he said formally when they had seated themselves, 'when your father arrives, I intend to ask his permission to marry you-'
Kara surged to her feet, momentarily stunned into speechlessness.
'Roman . . . No! Are you insane? What are you talking about? My father would never give his consent!'
'Then I will marry you without it-'
'No! Please, stop it! You're engaged to Camilla!'
Roman quirked an eyebrow. 'If that is so, then it is news to me. Camilla and I have no understanding, formal or otherwise. I know that her father has expressed great interest in a union between his daughter and myself, but he has never asked me outright, knowing what my answer would be; nor has Camilla, and I have from the beginning made it clear that when I have met the girl that I intend to marry, I will inform the father of my intended bride, and that will be that!
'If you must know, Camilla was never in contention. Her family are . . . shall we say . . . a rather covetous lot, and I do not approve of their interest in the Casa and the land upon which it resides.
'You, however, love the Casa as I do, and you are the first and only girl to deal with me honestly and to speak to me from the heart-'