Karina felt the blood course suddenly into her cheeks, but Garland Holt only laughed.
“No, Grannie, Miss Burke is nothing to do with me,” he said. “Felix Mainwaring brought her here.”
“Felix! Well, what’s he doing with a young girl?” the old lady enquired. “I thought he had enough to do running after your mother, turning her head with his stupid compliments and making her load her face with paint until she looks like a circus clown!”
“Grannie, you are shocking Miss Burke,” Garland Holt said with a note of laughter in his voice that he did not attempt to disguise.
The old lady held out her hand towards Karina.
“Come here, child. Let me have a look at you,” she commanded.
Karina did as she was told, fascinated by the dark eyes that seemed still youthful despite the wrinkles around them
