“For – personal reasons, my Lord.”
“I presume you are to be married?”
“No – nothing like – that,” Araminta answered him.
“Then will you explain more fully why you cannot stay, as I wish you to do, until I leave London?”
“I am sorry – my Lord. I can give you no – explanation. I will try to please you until the end of next week – then I must – leave.”
The Marquis’s lips tightened and she knew he thought she was being difficult.
Because she had no wish to incense him further, she asked in a low voice,
“Could I speak to your Lordship on a very different matter?”
“Of course.”
“When I came to cook your dinner the night before last, I brought with me a number of dishes already prepared.”
“So my secretary informed me. It is unusual, but I have no objection to your making any arrangements
