Suddenly Lady Marguerite rose from her chair to say,
“Here we are talking as if something has been decided between us. I have been hypnotised by what you have asked and am no longer thinking straight. How can you possibly many a girl you have never seen and who has never seen you?”
“Now you are listening to your mind and not your instinct,” the Duke countered. “You know, just as well as I do, that in many Eastern countries the bride and bridegroom seldom see each other before the actual wedding day and, even if we had met, I doubt if the girl in question or those concerned with her, which in this case is yourself, would turn down the chance of her becoming a Duchess.”
“That is very cynical of you, Raven.”
“But practical,” the Duke replied.
“I still cannot think why, after you have wal
