“Not a word,” said Sylvia quietly.
The Duchess was at breakfast when they returned. They removed their boots and capes and went in to say good morning.
“Oh, so you’ve been off enjoying yourselves,” she said sourly.
“My dear, I thought after the long journey yesterday, you would like a longer rest than usual,” said the Duke. “Besides, you don’t care for riding.”
“Riding? You’ve been riding? On the coach horses?”
“Of course not ,” said the Duke.
“You mean you have some thoroughbreds here still?” The Duchess’s eyes gleamed. “Why, we can sell them! They must be worth a great deal. I could buy curtain material and order some new carpets.”
Sylvia and her father exchanged a glance.
“They’re worth more in the long run as breeding stock,” said the Duke.
“But we need to redecorate the castl
