The Earl was sitting by the side of the sofa and reclining on it was a very elegantly dressed woman.
She could not, Raina thought, be taken for anything but French.
“Your guests, my Lord,” Barker announced.
“Oh, here you are!” the Earl exclaimed. “How kind of you to have come so quickly.”
He was speaking to Raina and moving towards her, but at the same time his eyes were on Nanny.
“I don’t think that you have met my cousin, Lady Evelyn Locke,” Raina began.
“No, indeed,” the Earl replied, “and it is very good of you to be my guest.”
“I really think,” Nanny said, “I should be thanking you, my Lord. I have been longing to see this beautiful house I have heard so much about, but I am not often able to come South.”
“I am afraid that it is not looking its best at the moment,” the Earl re
