As dinner progressed, she sensed that Lord Carlsby was looking her over in what she felt was a strange way.
He appeared to be appraising her, almost as if she was a horse for sale or a flower exhibited for a prize at a country show.
‘I wonder why he should be so interested in me.’ Flavia asked herself.
Then he was making her laugh at something he had said and again he was paying her extravagant compliments.
It was when dinner was over and they moved back into the drawing room that her father commented,
“I would hope, my dear, you will not think it rude, but Lord Carlsby and I have some very important matters to discuss which, being confidential, we cannot speak of in front of you.”
“Are you telling me to go to bed, Papa?”
Flavia looked at the clock and the hands showed it was only h
