The Earl had thought it was rather an unsophisticated style for the character of Mrs. Barrowfield, but, when Giselda had put it on, she looked so entrancing in it that he insisted on buying it, even though she was as doubtful as he was whether it was suitable for a widow.
When Giselda returned from her drive, which she deliberately prolonged, she learnt from the servants that the Duke had left the Earl at six o’clock and his dinner was scheduled for half after seven. She went along the corridor to his bedroom at about twenty minutes past the hour.
She had realised that he was still angry with her, although they had not spoken again of the Duke’s prospective visit.
She only hoped now that His Grace would have swept away the Earl’s resentment and, because they must have enjoyed talking ov
