5Iona came slowly down the carved oak staircase. It was morning, and with the elasticity of youth there was no sign on her face that she had passed a restless, sleepless night, beset by fears and apprehensions.
After her arrival the evening before, she had retired to her bedchamber and her supper had been brought to her there. The Duchess had suggested this, not only from consideration for her fatigue after a long journey but because, as Iona well knew, she wished to discuss her story with the Duke and doubtless to express her quite obvious scepticism of Iona’s claim to be the long lost Lady Elspeth.
Last night Iona had been too tired and too frightened to care what was said of her, but now this morning she felt ready to defy the Duchess and to begin the task she had been set and on whic
