"Yes, it would," she agreed quickly.
"I'm not going to kiss you until you have told me you love Vos Engo."
"I—I don't understand," she cried, drawing back and looking up into his face with bewildered eyes.
"Because then I'll be sure that you love me."
"Be sensible, Truxton."
"I'll know that you promised to love him if he'd save me. It's as clear as day to me. You did tell him you'd marry him if he got me to a place of safety."
"No. I refused to marry him if he did not save you. Oh, Truxton, I am so miserable. What is to become of all of us? What is to become of John, and Bobby—and you?"
"I—I think I'll kiss you now, Loraine," he whispered almost tremulously. "God, how I love you, little darling!"
"Don't!" she whispered, resolutely pushing him away after a sweet second of indecision. "I cannot—I cannot, Truxton dear. Don't ask me to—to do that. Not now, please—not now!"
He stiffened; his hands dropped to his sides, but there was joy in his voice.