“But will they not think it very strange that you were married without even telling them?”
“They knew that I had no expectation of inheriting,” the Earl replied, “and so they will therefore suppose I had no wish to wait for a long time to be married simply because I was in mourning. It would obviously be easier for me to be married very quietly and you would meet the family later.”
He congratulated himself that this sounded plausible and he thought that Purilla accepted it. Then she said,
“I will, of course, do – anything to – help you and I am glad we can be – alone until you feel – better.”
It was what the Earl wanted to hear her say and he put out his hand towards her.
“You are very understanding, Purilla, and I am so grateful. Let us hope people do leave us alone so that we can ge
