“As you were so happy at home,” the Duke commented slowly, “why did you go to Italy? There must be many schools much nearer that you could have attended.”
Jane was silent for a moment and he sensed that she was searching her mind for an answer.
Then with a radiant smile she replied,
“Papa wanted me to be clever. And because I have learnt so much, think how enjoyable it will be for you.”
She gave him a provocative little glance as she had done the first night they met before she added,
“Nevertheless, I shall be terrified of marrying anyone who has done so much as you have.”
The Duke had the strange feeling that she had been rehearsed in what she was to say to him. The flattery was certainly too blatant coming from a young girl, who was expected to be shy and tongue-tied.
Jane was sti
