“Is this your first time in India?” he asked.
“Yes, it is,” replied Viola, who was busy kicking herself that she could not think of something witty and amusing to say.
“And how are you finding it?”
“Rather bewildering,” she answered and then hung her head as she could not bear his keen gaze.
“I imagine you must miss England and your family?”
“Viola’s parents were both killed in an accident not so long ago,” cut in Aunt Mary, upon seeing her niece’s expression.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” said the Earl, compassion filling his eyes.
“Thank you.”
Viola could not think of a single interesting thing to say to this charming gentleman who was attempting to engage her in polite conversation.
‘I wish I was not so tongue-tied,’ she thought sadly, as her aunt and the Earl merrily chattered away abo
