“I cannot understand, Tian, how you can waste your time with an unfledged chit when we might be – ”
Mina did not wait to hear any more.
She went from the library, closed the door behind her and then ran as quickly as she could out through an open door which led onto the lawn and, still running, crossed the bridge over the lake to disappear amongst the trees in the Park.
In the library there was silence as Lady Bartlett waited for an answer to her question.
Then slowly and deliberately the Marquis said in an icy voice that was as cutting as a whip,
“I find it extremely surprising, Eloise, that as my neighbour and your husband’s wife you should come here, making a scene that to say the least of it is extremely indiscreet.”
Lady Bartlett gave an audible little gasp.
“Can you really be
