“My mother died when I was ten. I adored her, she was everything that was soft, gentle and loving in my life. After her death my father, because I was an only child, took over my training.”
His lips tightened before he went on,
“‘Training’ is the right word! My father was determined I should be trained for the position I would hold when he died so that I would be the cleverest and most distinguished Marquis of Sherwood there has ever been!”
He spoke in a hard voice.
Because Lavina knew it was hurting him to tell her this she said,
“If telling – me this upsets you – I would rather – you did not – say any – more.”
“You have to know the truth,” the Marquis said quietly.
There was a pause before he continued,
“My father insisted that I had Tutors in the holidays who worked me so hard t
