He thought it was indiscreet of Sybil Matherson to send him a note so early in the day.
Then, as he took the sheet of writing paper out of the envelope, he stared down at what she had written,
“Dearest Stafford,
Edward died last night and I feel helpless to cope with the shock of it and with everything that must be done.
Please come and help me. You are the only person I can rely on and I am all alone.
Sybil.”
The Earl read it through slowly and then read it again. He knew that it was a cry for help that he could not ignore.
At the same time he thought that it was not right for Sybil to make him responsible for her.
He turned from the window and saw that his valet was holding in his hand his whipcord jacket which he wore when out riding.
He hesitated for a few moments and then he
