Then she was aware that her husband was choosing his words carefully and she looked at him apprehensively.
“I am afraid we have some rather distressing news for you, Lynchester,” he said to the Duke. “My daughter Caroline, who was much looking forward to making your acquaintance, has unfortunately been stricken down with a blinding headache. There seems no accounting for it as it must be blamed on the weather.”
“I am deeply distressed to hear such news of your daughter,” he replied, “but actually I have come not to see Lady Caroline but Lady Elfa.”
If a bomb had exploded right in front of the Duke and Duchess, they could not have been more surprised.
“Elfa?” the Duke of Northallerton exclaimed. “Why should you wish to see her?”
The Duke of Lynchester managed to reply quite smoothly,
