CHAPTER FOURThe musician was playing a cheerful tune on his violin.
On Alysia’s instructions all the chairs had been taken outside the inn.
The innkeeper and his wife, bemused by what was happening, obeyed every instruction they were given without question.
This included some coloured blankets that were spread on the ground.
“Those are for the children to sit on,” Alysia told the Duke.
He looked around at what had been arranged and then commented,
“You must not be disappointed if no one comes.”
“I am sure they will,” Alysia replied confidently, “out of curiosity if nothing else.”
She smiled before she added,
“I can see you have never lived in a small village. Everything that happens is known and talked about the minute it happens or even before, otherwise they feel that they have
