“You did not say – ”
“Events with my father’s arrest have overshadowed what occurred last night in the Duke’s garden.”
“He proposed!” cried Elizabeth, “and I assume you declined.”
“Naturally.”
“Did you tell him you were engaged to another?”
“How could I? I told him my heart was promised to another, but, as he said, there is no ring and there has been no announcement. That does not make it binding in the eyes of the world.”
“And your parents don’t know either, of course, so he would believe what you told him was a lie?”
“Exactly. Oh, Elizabeth – what am I going to do?”
The door of Brown’s Hotel loomed up in front of them and Lilliana took a deep breath before entering.
“Shall I wait in the lobby?” suggested Elizabeth.
“No, you must come up to Mama’s room with me.”
As her mother o
