Was that what Aunt Agatha had learned from three marriages? All George’s irritation with the imperious old lady drained away. It was rather sad when you thought about it. But it was clear she meant her advice kindly.

Protect your heart indeed. George sniffed. Her heart was in no danger from the duke.

*   *   *

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Rose demanded the minute she and Lily were alone with George. They’d arrived in the early afternoon, spent an hour with Emm and the baby and then had gone for a walk in Hyde Park at the fashionable hour and very cleverly returned shortly after Aunt Agatha left.

They had also, it seemed to George, caught up with all the gossip they’d missed by being away in the country the last few weeks. In one little walk in the park.

“Tell you what? You knew I was betrothed—I wrote to you both.”

“About the gossip,” Rose said.

“Letter?” Lily rolled her eyes. “Edward read mine to me—the whole half dozen lines:

“Dear Lily and Edward,

“I hope you’re both well. We are all well here. Emm has had the baby and he is very sweet. And they are both healthy and strong. Aunt Agatha is in alt. Aunt Dottie is in Bath. You probably saw the notice in the papers and were surprised, but it’s true. I am betrothed to the Duke of Everingham. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I’m committed to it now. But it’s all right, he’s giving me my own house.

Love from George and Finn and Sultan.”

“Much the same as the one you sent me,” Rose said.

George shrugged. “You know I’m not much of a letter writer.”

“Not much? It was appalling!”

“Why? The spelling was all right, wasn’t it?”

“The spelling was fine, it was the, the infuriation of it!” said Rose.

“The frustration,” Lily added.

“The complete, utterly provoking lack of information!” Rose finished.

“But I told you about everything—the baby, the aunts, and my betrothal. What else is there?”

Rose rolled her eyes. “Detail, that’s what’s missing. You’ve always been hopeless at gossip.”

“I hate gossip.”

Rose smacked her lightly. “This is not gossip, silly. It’s about you! Now, sit down and tell us all about it, from the beginning. I’ve ordered tea and cakes and a footman is taking care of Finn, so don’t think you’ll wriggle out of it. Now tell us, how, how, how did you become betrothed to the Duke of Everingham? I thought you despised him.”