Chapter FiveIn the next few days the Duke thought that he had been very astute.
He left the house early each morning to go riding and then he either rode to Little Bedlington or else drove there in his chaise.
He had, of course, persuaded Maria Colzaio to sing for him.
She had offered him her drawing room to rehearse with her and Lavela in undisturbed comfort.
It was a beautiful room containing a magnificent grand piano, which the Duke enjoyed playing.
As the Vicar had pointed out, Maria Colzaio’s voice was not as high as it had been, but then it still had the beautiful warm quality that had made her so famous.
After the first day when she was obviously a little nervous, she turned to the Duke,
“I am really enjoying myself, and may I say, Your Grace, that it is just so wonderful to
