“How have you – done all – this and so – quickly?”
“I wanted to surprise you,” he answered simply.
“You – have indeed. I was – afraid when I came – downstairs – ”
“I know what you feared,” he interrupted, “and now I am waiting for you to tell me all the things I don’t know.”
“What do you – want to – know,” Ilina asked.
“For instance which of my ancestors brought the French pictures to the house, which one acquired the very fine snuffboxes in the cabinet over there and how which industrious Duchess was responsible for the exquisite petit-point on three of the chairs.”
Ilina clasped her hands together
“Do you – really want to – hear about them?”
“I am waiting for you to instruct me.”
Her eyes met his and somehow it was impossible to breathe.
Then the door opened and Bird announced,
