Her father had done what he could for those who he admitted were less fortunate than himself, but he was not a rich man.
In fact, he and his wife, when she was alive, had been so generous that they often had to cut back the known expenses, which usually meant that a horse on which her father had his eye went to another purchaser.
‘I am sure Hermione will help other people now that she is so rich,’ Valeda told herself before she went to sleep.
Then she had the feeling that one person she was sure would not benefit from her sister’s wealth was herself.
*
The next morning, they left for London, but before they did so, Valeda went to say goodbye to the Dowager Duchess in her bedroom, for she was too old and ill to get up early.
“I have loved having you here, my dear,” she said, “and I ho
