She threw out her arms dramatically as she said,
“I am forgotten – neglected. I have not even the consolation of wearing the necklace you promised me. I thought an Englishman never broke his word!”
She was being over-dramatic and acting as she might have done on a stage.
The Marquis knew as she spoke that the whole crux of the situation rested on two things, that he had not come to her room to make love to her last night as she had expected, and that the emerald necklace had not yet materialised.
He replied coldly and with an icy note in his voice which Alastair would have known showed that his temper was rising,
“I do not break my word, Francesca. The necklace I promised you shall be yours, but as I do not like being browbeaten in my own house, I suggest you would be very much more c
