“Nay, do not counsel me, dear Sarah.” Lucy grabbed her hand. “Just be happy for me.”
“I am happy for you now. It is for your future that I worry.”
“Do not. My John will be as true as yours.”
“But my John and I are married. Besides, we’ve known each other since we were children.” She squeezed the hand that held hers. “You have known my Lord of Rochester a bare three months.”
“Five.” Lucy closed her eyes. “Four really, plus two weeks and two days, since he became enamoured of my role as Celia and presented me with violets picked himself, along with his first ode to me.” She opened her eyes. “You do not know how well he treats me when we are alone.”
“It is when you are alone with him that worries me.” The girl tried to withdraw her hand, but Sarah held on. “I am afraid that as soon as he
