CHAPTER SEVENA long time later, Novella stirred in Vale’s arms and asked,
“Surely we should be – home by now?”
“You are not going home,” he answered.
She gave a little gasp of surprise.
“Mama will be – anxious if I don’t – return.”
“I have explained to your mother that I am taking you to my own home,” Vale said.
“Y-you – explained to – Mama? Then – you have told her that I was with – Lord Grimstone!”
“I told her that you had gone to dine with him because you believed that you would be helping England in the War. She said immediately that she was sure it was what your father would want you to do.”
Novella gave a little sigh of relief.
“I feel – however,” she said nervously, “that she will be – worried when I – don’t come home tonight.”
“I cannot take the risk of some of Grimstone’
