Her eyes were kind and so was the smile she gave Felicita as she curtseyed to her.
“My grandson tells me you are to be married,” she said in English, “and I am overjoyed that he has at last chosen a wife.”
“I – only hope – ma’am,” Felicita responded, “that I can make him – happy.”
She spoke in English without even realising she was doing so.
The Duchess gave an exclamation of surprise.
“You speak English very well!”
“Thank you, madame, but I have – never been to – England.”
“Then my grandson must certainly bring you to stay with his English relatives, who are all very fond of him.”
The Marques would not allow them to talk for long, but took Felicita upstairs.
He handed her over to the housekeeper, who had been at The Palace for many years.
With the help of one of the maids, who s
