"Always—always first," she whispered against the lips that pressed her own.
He held her very closely to him for a space in silence. He had loved her with a fiery worship from the first moment of their meeting, but the wealth of her answering love still filled his soul with wonder. Over and over again he would tell himself that he was not her sort, but when he held her thus throbbing against his heart, he knew beyond all questioning that they were one.
"You haven't told me a single thing about today's meeting," she murmured presently.
Jake began to smile. "On my soul I had forgotten all about it. Prince
Charlie has gained his first laurels. He won by two and a half lengths."
"Oh, Jake, how splendid! How proud you must be! I'm tremendously glad. And what about Charlie? Was he there to see his namesake carry all before him?"
"Saltash, do you mean? Yes, he was there." Jake's tone was somewhat dry.
Maud drew back a little to look at him. "I hope you asked him to dine," she said.
"Oh yes," said Jake, with a touch of grimness. "Bunny saw to that on your behalf. He considers—and with reason—that you have a right to ask whoever you like to your own house."
"Jake!" Maud suddenly sat upright, her eyes burning like stars. "If Bunny said that—"
"He didn't," said Jake.