“ – of marriage,” the Duke said, finishing the sentence for her. “Yes, Mama. I have come to the conclusion that it is time I was married.”
“Oh, Kerne, it is what I have prayed for!” the Duchess exclaimed. “But is it Marmion who has made you decide so suddenly that it is something you should do?”
“It is Marmion,” the Duke agreed, “but more directly the Queen.”
“The Queen?”
“Her Majesty spoke to me last week.”
“About Marmion?”
“That is right.”
The Duchess made a little sound that might have been one of horror, but she did not interrupt.
“Her Majesty asked me to speak with her in her private sitting room. I knew at once that what she had to say was serious.”
“It was also likely to be only one subject,” the Duchess said quickly.
“Exactly! She told me she had heard that Marmion and hi
