She knew that the Duke was right and any rumour would spread like wildfire.
Whether or not anybody troubled to verify the story, the Princess would be ostracised.
“What do you want me to do?” Willy asked as if he had just thought of it.
“I want you to come with Solita and me to India!”
Willy looked at him in surprise.
“You really want me?”
“I need a chaperone,” the Duke said. “I am Solita’s Guardian. At the same time she is far too pretty to travel around the world with a man unless he was old enough to be her grandfather!”
“You are getting on that way!” Willy joked, “but I suppose I must sacrifice myself to help you!”
“I do need you,” the Duke said quietly, “in case things get rough!”
Solita clasped her hands together.
She knew without him elaborating the point that they were st
