Love Wins
"Lalita!" he exclaimed. As he spoke, a flash of lightning revealed her frightened face framed by her fair hair. The next thing Lord Heywood knew, Lalita was clinging to him. He could feel her trembling. "It is all right," he said soothingly.

"I... I am afraid it will... hit the house," she said. Lightning once again lit up the room and the thunder vibrated through it almost simultaneously.

Instinctively Lord Heywood tightened his arms and drew her closer still, and as he did so he realised that he loved her. As she raised her face to ask a question, lightning made Lord Heywood see her frightened eyes, her face very pale and her lips parted.

Because he could not help himself, he turned towards her and his lips came down on hers.

I am his, she thought, I have always... been his.