The words seemed almost to be torn from her lips as if she spoke against an effort to keep silent.
“Thank you, Dorcas,” Caroline said gravely. “I will try not to be afraid.”
“Yes, try, m’lady,” Dorcas said drily, ‘for things are not always that which they appear to be.”
Caroline wanted to ask Dorcas what she meant by this enigmatic remark, but before she could ask the question the elderly woman had stepped back into Lady Breton’s bedroom and the door shut softly behind her.
Caroline went to her own room. Maria was waiting for her, still in a state of excited agitation.
“Oh, m’lady, ‘tis all of a dither I am, for I was. wondering where you had gone. What is it that your ladyship has in your hand?”
Caroline gave the veil and the tiara to Maria.
“Arrange these for me,” she said and sea
