“Ethel, I already thanked you many times for your devotion and
eagerness. However, Letitia’s wishes take precedence. Defying them is
not the kind of respect I believe you would want to show my wife.”
“I would have never dreamed”—Ethel closed her eyes briefly to force out
at least a couple of tears—“that you should see it so, Percy. I love Letitia
and have every hope that she will be as close a friend as Sarah was. Such
talent! You are a very fortunate man, Sir Percival Hanbury, and I do not
wonder that you based your choice of a wife on her talents rather
than…anything else. I so cherish her friendship. I beg your pardon again,
but your butler did not make it clear that she did not wish any visitors in the
orangery. I thought to have a last stroll through Sarah’s beloved garden
