“They might – as well be,” Rose muttered.
“But we have had no letters from England,” Bettina went on. “The Duke was saying so only this morning, so you cannot have had bad news from home.”
“It’s not that, miss and – you can’t help me,” Rose answered. “No one can!”
Bettina looked at the cabin door to see if it was closely shut.
Then she said,
“Listen, Rose, anything you tell me in confidence I would not betray to anyone else, but I cannot bear you to be unhappy. Tell me what has happened.”
“It’s his Lordship – miss,” Rose sobbed.
“His Lordship?” Bettina queried.
“Lord Eustace.”
“What has he done? How can he have upset you?”
“He saw me and Jack, miss, and you wouldn’t believe – the things he said to us.”
“Jack?” Bettina queried.
“Oh, miss, I love him and he wants to marry me. He
