It took the Duke a little time to get any answer to his knockings on the flat door.
When finally it was opened by Gerald in his nightshirt, his friend stared at him in astonishment.
“Ivar! What are you doing here at this hour?”
The Duke walked past him into the bedroom where Gerald had lit one candle before responding to the insistent noise that had awoken him.
Briefly in as few words as possible the Duke explained what had happened.
“So that was why Lady Isobel left early!” Gerald exclaimed. “We might have guessed that she was up to some mischief!”
The Duke did not reply and he said,
“You realise what this means, Ivar? She will tell her father tomorrow where she has been all night and the Duke of Melchester will insist that you marry her.”
“That is where you are mistaken,” the Duk
