The Duke’s valet called him at six-thirty.
When Willy informed him that Solita was riding with them he doubted, after his behaviour last night, that she would join them.
He entered the stable to choose the horse he would ride and there was a long array of them waiting in their stalls.
To his surprise he found Solita already there.
She was talking to his Head Groom and patting as she did so a magnificent stallion which was a new acquisition.
“Good morning Solita!” the Duke greeted her cheerfully.
He thought she looked paler than she had been yesterday and perhaps she had lain awake last night worrying about him.
There was also, he saw, a question in her eyes.
He knew she was wondering whether, after all she had said, he had gone confidently to the Princess and been hypnotised withou
