“I can understand that,” the Marquis said, “but are you not forgetting somebody who should have looked after you and made the decision for you?”
“Who is that?” Ivana asked in surprise.
“Your husband!”
Ivana’s eyelids fluttered and he saw the colour rise in a crimson flood up her pale cheeks.
“Yes – yes, of course,” she said after a moment’s silence, “but – he is – at sea.”
The Marquis seated himself in a chair beside the fireplace.
“I am very interested in your husband,” he said. “Tell me about him.”
“There – is nothing to – tell.”
“When were you married?”
“T-two – years ago.”
“Where?”
“Here in the – village.”
“You are quite certain of that? After all, it will be very easy to see a record of the ceremony in the Church register.”
There was silence and then Ivana asked,
“Why –
