Yet she remained aware that she had first fallen in love, not with the man himself but with his love for her. To be the subject of such gentle, unselfish devotion—to be protected so tenderly, and with so little expectation of reward—who could not be drawn to it? It was Brandon’s love—the fervor of it real, if buried deep, like glowing embers within the ash of a fire—this was what had persuaded her to become his wife.
