Then she was sure, completely sure, that it was the Earl of Winsford who was riding towards The Castle.
Then she understood and everything that had puzzled her as regards her step-aunt’s note fell into place.
Now that her uncle was away, the Earl was visiting Iris!
For a moment it seemed to Sorilda so incredible that she could hardly believe the whole idea was not just a figment of her imagination.
Then she knew that it was not a fantasy, but something that was actually happening.
Her step-aunt had known that the Duke was going to London and had conveyed the information to the Earl, pretending for her benefit that she was inviting him to a dinner party.
The note that Jim had brought back, which she had passed to her step-aunt, had been his acceptance.
Now, incredible though it seeme
