“Papa, Robert is here.”
“Then I must be ungracious and not greet him. My colleagues and I have so much to discuss and we cannot be disturbed. Perhaps you will send him my regards?”
“Yes, Papa,” she answered, disappointed she could not spend longer with him.
She stroked the two dogs lovingly and watched as her father made his way back to the house.
Turning back to the arbour, she felt suddenly heavy of heart.
She had never kept any secrets from her parents before and it felt as if she was telling lies by omission.
The Earl welcomed her back eagerly.
“You did not mention – ?”
“No, I did not.”
“I promise you – I will not be in India for ever. It will all be over by Christmas and then we can be married. But there is one last favour I would ask of you.”
Lilliana gazed into his eyes an
