He felt her fingers flutter in his as if he had captured a small bird.
“I think,” Lalitha said slowly, “my – stepmother wanted me to – die. You could – tell her that I was – dead?”
“But you are very much alive,” Lord Rothwyn said firmly, “and, although I am interested in your ideas, Lalitha, I have plans of my own.”
“What are they?” she asked.
He released her hand and sat back again in the chair.
“Did Sophie ever tell you,” he asked, “what is my main hobby?”
“No,” Lalitha answered.
“I have been absorbed for some years now in restoring to their former glory ancient buildings that have been forgotten and neglected.”
“That must be very interesting!”
“I find it so,” Lord Rothwyn replied.
“I remember now,” Lalitha said, “Sophie did tell me that the Prince Regent consults you about his
