As for herself –
Abruptly Marista forced her mind to concentrate on something else.
It was easy to stare in astonishment at the Earl’s horses and at his phaeton, which was in fact very much more impressive than the one that Peregrine was driving.
There was a smart groom in a cockaded top hat holding the horses’ heads and, when the Earl took the reins, he jumped up in the small seat behind and they moved off.
“Where shall we go first?” the Earl enquired.
“Do you really want to see the estate?” Marista asked.
“I seldom say anything I don’t mean,” he replied in a lofty tone.
“Very well,” Marista said, “but if what you see is depressing, you must not blame me.”
The Earl gave a dry laugh.
“I am quite certain, however, that you will blame me, Marista!”
She did not answer because she co
