“I have been exploring The Castle,” Nerina answered, “and hoping that you would soon get well enough for me to see you. I too wanted someone to talk to.”
The Dowager smiled.
“That’s a nice way to talk when you are on your honeymoon. What is Rupert thinking of?” she enquired. “But there, the boy never has had much to say except when he is on his feet in The House of Commons. They tell me he can be eloquent enough there.”
The Dowager set down her glass of champagne on the table beside her and then said reflectively,
“But I gather that your honeymoon is by no means a usual one. Rupert has given me a brief account of what occurred. You are a brave young woman to marry a man in such circumstances.”
There was no disparagement in the Dowager’s tone and Nerina smiled.
“Did Sir Rupert explain
