“But – you and Papa knew this all the time,” Jaela pointed out accusingly.
“Your father, of course, knew the Earl of Halesworth by name and he had heard that his wife had run away from him only a few years after they were married.”
“And she took her little girl with her?” Jaela asked.
“The child was two at the time,” Dr. Pirelli said, “and she could not bear to leave her behind.”
But – did not the Earl protest?” Jaela asked.
“I discussed it once with your father,” the doctor replied, “and he said from what he remembered the Earl was a very proud man. Like a great many English aristocrats he would do anything rather than have the family name besmirched by a divorce which, when it is a question of a Peer, would have to go through the House of Lords.”
“I see,” Jaela said. “So he remaine
