That meant that she had been upset by the Duke and Lady Louise, especially Lady Louise.
He was aware that anyone who was in love with him would obviously be jealous of another woman.
Then he realised it was quite possible that Purilla had heard the Duke’s peremptory command for an explanation.
‘Dammit!’ the Earl said to himself. ‘Why should they come here upsetting things?’
He knew as he spoke that this was what he had anticipated would happen sooner or later and perhaps it was best to get it over with.
It seemed to him that he waited for a very long time before the butler returned.
“I am unable to find her Ladyship,” he said, “and, although none of the household staff saw her leave, one of the gardeners saw her walking across the shrubbery with her dog.”
‘Thank you,” the Earl said.
