“You are certainly to be congratulated,” the Duke murmured politely.
“What we thought,” Lady Wallace said a little nervously, “is that Vina, who is a very pretty young girl, might, if Your Grace agrees, marry Lord Edgar.”
The Duke looked at Lady Wallace in astonishment, as if he thought that he had not heard her right.
Then, as the silence was uncomfortable, he asked,
“Are you suggesting – ?”
“You must see,” Lady Wallace interrupted, “that it would save us worrying about fortune-hunters, who will certainly pursue Vina once the extent of her fortune is known and would also relieve Lord Edgar of seeking assistance from Your Grace.”
The way she spoke told the Duke quite clearly that his brother’s frequent pleas for money had not gone unnoticed by the County.
Lord Edgar’s financial stra
