He wanted to laugh aloud, but he told himself that to expose Una’s ingenious little tale too soon would spoil the fun.
They arrived at his house in the Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré and, as they entered the hall, the Duke said to the waiting servants,
“I understand that a trunk was left here before dinner?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the Clerk of the Chambers replied. “The gentleman said he might call for it later tonight.”
“I have arranged for Mademoiselle Thoreau to stay here,” the Duke said. “Have her trunk taken to the Chambre des Roses and unpacked.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
“Let us go into the salon,” the Duke said to Una and he walked ahead to open the door before an attentive footman could reach it.
The salon was fragrant with flowers and only a few lights were left burning.
It looked
