Because there had been no sign of him, they had felt obliged, even though they were afraid of the gossip that might arise from it, to avoid letting the public know of the engagement while the bridegroom was still heavily engaged in Leicestershire with another ‘interest’.
Samala, however, was fully preoccupied with the gowns that kept arriving from London and on two occasions the Marchioness had come to The Priory to help her inspect them and choose others with Madame Bertin.
She had assured Samala in glowing terms how thrilled the Duke was that she had accepted his proposal and how much he was looking forward to their wedding.
Now there was a strange silence before Maureen Henley said,
“This is certainly a surprise and of course, dearest, I wish you every possible happiness.”
“There i
