“This is such a delightful surprise, Hue,” she sighed. “I was so afraid that you were enjoying life so much in the country that you had forgotten us all in London.”
“But now I am really back, Grandmama, as you can see,” he said, “and I have brought my Chaplain’s daughter with me, Valencia Hadley, who, as I told you in my note, has rendered me a very great service for which I am eternally in her debt.”
The Duchess looked curious as she welcomed Valencia with an unmistakable sincerity, saying,
“How pretty you are, child, and very like your mother. Of course we must do everything to make you one of the most outstanding debutantes of the Season.”
Valencia gave a little cry
“Oh – please – ma’am,” she said, “I have no wish to be that. In fact I know I am going to feel just like a ‘fish out
