“They intended to go abroad?” the Marquis asked.
“I think they were coming to France,” Rocana replied, “but Patrick had planned everything down to the last detail, so I cannot believe there was any real danger of their being apprehended at the last moment.”
She was sure this was the truth.
At the same time there was a little note of fear in her voice because she had lived in the shadow of her uncle’s Ducal authority for so long that it was hard to believe that anybody could defy him and win.
“You are worrying again, Rocana,” the Marquis said, “and I like you best when you are smiling.”
“Then I will smile,” Rocana replied.
After their ride the Marquis took her to an exhibition of pictures which left her breathless.
“Mama would have loved seeing these,” she said. “She taught me so muc
