But the Duca only assuaged the insult to his pride by explaining to himself that because Cordelia was English she would not be hurried and was therefore playing hard to get.
That Cordelia actively disliked him and was frightened of him never entered his mind.
He was completely sure of his virile attractions where the female s*x was concerned, since his long line of successes had given him an unshakable confidence that no woman was beyond his reach.
When Cordelia refused his suit, he had gone to Lady Hamilton to enlist her help.
He found, as he had expected, that she was only too willing to assist him. Indeed she thought it an excellent idea to have another Englishwoman in such a position of importance in Naples.
Yet however skilfully Lady Hamilton pleaded the Duca’s suit, she made no
