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Edge set his teeth

‘Be nice,’ Sam murmured beside him and he tried hard for a s thenised them from the year he’d married Dora, but could not for the life of him remember their names Luckily they presented their colours immediately

‘I was just telling Mrs Murchison we hope your dearis over Did I not, Mrs Murchison?’

‘You certainly did, Lady Buckley And now this! Why, e read the Morning Tattler you could have knocked us both over with a feather’

Sahtened his hold on her arether, for better or worse

‘I had no idea hohy the news appeared in the Morningwhateverbut I wasn’t aware matrimony still had such an impact on anyone in town May I introduce my wife, Lady Edward?’

The excitement faded from the two elderly women’s faces, replaced by bewilder very e hadn’t realised quite how private the Sinclairs ed to ree had not yet spread throughout the ton Until thisat them directly, but he could feel the crowd’s interest as oppressively as a hamsin wind

‘Your wife! Dear me, what a pleasure of course, Lady Edward We did not know’

‘Had not heard’

‘Since we only returned to England recently, that is not surprising Which re A commission for the Duchess, you see,’ he explained broadly and their heads bobbed like the little parrots that used to perch on his veranda in Brazil hoping for treats ‘Thank you for your good wishes’

‘Of course, of course, but perhaps before you go wefor us at our salon AAnd of course, Lady Edward, you must come as well’

Sam finally spoke

‘Reading?’

Lady Buckley nodded vigorously, lining up her guns