Chapter Four“You are very early, Justin!” the Dowager Marchioness said as the Duke came into the Boudoir that adjoined her bedroom.
She was fully dressed. She would not have thought of receiving anyone, even her nephew, wearing a negligee. Her lace corsets held her stiffly upright, her hair was well arranged by her maid, she wore five ropes of pearls and had several diamond rings on her blue-veined hands.
“I apologise, Aunt Muriel,” the Duke replied, “but I have something of great importance to tell you, and I need your advice on what is a very urgent family matter.”
The Marchioness looked at him in surprise and he seated himself in a chair beside her while her lady’s maid carried away the tray that had contained her breakfast.
When the door was closed the Duke said,
“Last night, afte
