“I suppose that is what Leone wanted,” the Marquis said, “but to me it is singularly unpleasant to think of a young woman married to that aged old tortoise.”
“I thought at one time,” the Dowager said, “that you and Leone would make a match of it, but I suppose she did not engage your heart.”
“I believed in those days that I had no heart,” the Marquis replied.
“And now?” the Dowager asked quietly.
“I find it an unpredictable, irritating and extremely painful part of my anatomy,” the Marquis replied bitterly.
“You have never said anything that pleased me more,” the Dowager smiled.
The Marquis was so surprised that he snapped angrily,
“What the devil do you mean by that? I apologise, Grandmama, I was not expecting you of all people to make such a statement.”
“And I mean every word of
