The door opened.
“Mrs. Barrowfield, my Lord!” Batley announced and Giselda came into the room.
The Earl held out his hand.
“How very kind of you to give me the pleasure of your company,” he said in his most charming voice. “I was afraid you might have a more interesting engagement than visiting an invalid.”
“It is very kind of you to – ask me,” Giselda answered.
She put her hand as she spoke into the Earl’s and he felt her fingers were very cold and trembling with nervousness, so he held them closer hoping to give her confidence.
“You must let me introduce my other guests,” he said. “Captain Henry Somercote you met yesterday and this is my young cousin, Mr. Julius Lynd, who has only just arrived from London. He will be able to acquaint us with all the news we miss in this quiet water
