“Lady Chiara!” he cried. “We were not expecting you. Welcome!”
As Chiara stepped into the hall, she saw, among the pile of letters that lay on the hall table, her own note with its Russian stamp and postmark.
Her Mama must have left for Pembrokeshire before it arrived.
*
There was something idyllic about the summer days that followed at Rensham Hall.
Lady Fairfax remained in Wales, as her wedding would take place there, now that Lord Darley had come into the estate.
Chiara was to join them in a few weeks’ time to carry out her duties as bridesmaid, but until then she stayed alone at home, looked after by the familiar servants and with Karine for company.
There was no one to pester her and no one to tell her what to do and she was totally free to pass all her time enjoying herself.
