“Instead they will just talk about it behind your back.”
“I am quite certain they will,” the Marquis replied, “and of course young women will continue to be paraded in front of me like horses at a spring sale.”
He spoke almost angrily, but Della found herself laughing.
“I can see it all happening and of course you are an irresistible prize, my Lord, for any ambitious debutante.”
Only as she spoke did she catch herself, thinking this was not something a gypsy would have said, so quickly before the Marquis could reply she added,
“But I must not keep your Lordship talking if you have an appointment.”
“My only appointment is with my woods, madam, and I am delighted that you should want ride in them.”
It struck Della that having said what she planned to do perhaps he had deliberately com
