“Well, I am very delighted to welcome you,” the Duke replied. “As you can imagine, I would have found it very lonely if you had declined to come as my guest, because my aunt is unable to leave her room and, as I returned so unexpectedly, very few people are aware that I am here.”
“I expect when they realise it they will all come flocking to you,” Julia said. “What you will find difficult after so many years away is remembering their names and what relationship they are to you!”
The Duke laughed.
“That is true enough. I have a large number of relatives who live in Edinburgh, but I have not seen them since I was at school.”
Julia found herself hoping they would not be aware that he had now returned to his Castle.
And that for a short time at any rate the Duke, as he had said, could s
