CHAPTER TWOThe occupants of the first vehicle came walking up the front steps.
As they did so, Aleda was aware that they were sniggering and laughing amongst themselves at the dilapidated condition of the house.
At the same time, as they entered the hall, she thought that they were slightly awed and she was certain that they had never entered an ancestral home before.
It was obvious that they had not expected to be received by the Earl and herself.
Standing by the marble mantelpiece they looked, she very much hoped, impressive.
“How do you do, Carter?” the Earl said to his coachbuilder, the first man to approach him.
He then held out his hand and there was a distinct hesitation before the man took it. He was obviously somewhat flustered at shaking hands with Aleda.
“If you walk stra
