CHAPTER SIXPerdita was having breakfast with the children in the nursery when the Marquis came in.
“Uncle Ivon!” Caro cried in delight, scrambling down from the table to rush towards him with her little arms outstretched.
He picked her up in his arms.
“Are you coming driving with me this morning?”
“You promised, you promised!” she exclaimed excitedly.
“And I am keeping my promise,” he answered.
He looked towards Perdita and added,
“It is an invitation to you all.”
She had risen at his approach and the winter sun, making a valiant effort, haloed her fair hair and glinted on the red in her curls so that it seemed as if she and not the sun lit up the nursery.
“Are there not too many of us?” she enquired.
“Not if Caro will excuse me from driving my phaeton as I had promised,” the Mar
