“You would make such a sacrifice for me? But how can you?”
“Because I have no one that I love or who loves me. And so I will marry this man chosen for you by the Queen. I only hope that in some way we will become friends and perhaps enjoy each other’s company.”
Mary gave a cry.
“But how can you be sure Papa won’t guess that I’m not the bride?”
“That is where we have to be very clever,” Venetia said. “You must pretend to agree to this marriage. Be charming to the Earl when he comes to your house.”
“How can I do that when I hate him?”
“He is of no importance to you,” Venetia said. “I am marrying him but if he’s ghastly as he may be, I will at least not have a broken heart, as yours would break if you have to leave David.
“So you have to listen now to exactly what you have to do. It is
