“But it is true,” Elizabeth insisted, “and now that we have both been proposed to, as we really wanted, by men who want us just for ourselves and not because we are rich or distinguished in any way.”
“And you will still want to marry me,” John asked, “even though I have very little to offer you? In fact I think we will only have a small house on my father’s estate – ”
“I have a better idea than that,” Colena interrupted. “I want you to listen to me very carefully because I have only just thought of it.”
She smiled before she went on,
“I have not mentioned it before, but it has been in my mind for some time.”
“We are all listening,” John replied.
“What I want,” Colena began, “is to stay here in this beautiful house – which is like a dream. As Elizabeth has just said, I have found some
