“I think you are being rather foolish if you mean what you say,” the Duke declared.
“Foolish?” Lais questioned.
“I have the greatest admiration for Elderfield,” the Duke said. “He is very intelligent and a clever young man, in fact I am going to tell you something that is confidential, but I wish you to hear it.”
Despite herself Lais was at once curious.
Although she wanted to tell the Duke that she had no wish to continue to talk about the Earl, she felt obliged to listen.
“I intend to give up my post at Buckingham Palace, which as you know is a very prestigious one,” the Duke began.
“Give it up?” Lais enquired. “Why on earth should you do that?”
“As I have just said, I wish to retire,” the Duke answered. “I am closing my house in London and, of course, you must not repeat this, I
