“I am sorry. I did not know you were here.”
“Lord Westbridge wishes to speak to you alone,” her father said.
“No, please wait, Papa,” Louisa answered quickly. “He can have nothing to say to me that you cannot hear.”
“Your parents know what I have to say to you and have given their consent,” Lord Westbridge intervened.
He made a slight jerk of his head towards the door. Lord and Lady Hatton departed at once.
Louisa gasped angrily. How dared this man order her parents about in their own home?
Just before he left, Lord Hatton took his daughter’s arm and murmured,
“I do hope you will be reasonable.” He slipped out of the room before she could reply.
Louisa faced Lord Westbridge, her head up.
“It is time to set our wedding day,” he declared. “The sooner the better.”
“I have not agreed
