Alyna looked down at the gown she had changed into just before she left Shenley Manor.

She had been so agitated and so preoccupied with the thought of being married and of driving away with Lord Dorrington that she had not really considered which dress she should wear, but had merely put on the first that came to hand.

She saw now that it was a very elegant gown with a pattern of spring flowers embroidered on it, the colours cleverly picked out in the ribbons that crossed her shoulders to fall in a long sash at the back.

“How did you know what would suit me?” she asked.

Lord Dorrington smiled.

“I merely had to imagine what Simonetta would have chosen.”

“I am so honoured that you should think I am like her,” Alyna said. “I only wish it was true!”

“One day I will take you to Florence and you shall see Botticelli’s masterpiece for yourself,” Lord Dorrington smiled.

“I would love that,” Alyna answered.

She wondered as she went upstairs to her bedchamber whether he had really meant it.

Did he intend, she asked herself, that they should live together and travel about the world and entertain as husband and wife?

Or was his kindness merely a protection for the moment, an action just to save her from her mother?

‘Why is he doing this for me?’ Alyna asked herself.

Then she felt that such a question posed a problem that she could not answer at the moment.

She was very tired. Her encounter with the Prince had left her exhausted both physically and mentally. She was also, when she thought about it, still desperately afraid.

It had also been something of an ordeal to tell Elizabeth that she and her brother were to be married.

“Darlings! It is the most exciting thing that could happen!” Elizabeth had cried. “I knew you were meant for each other!”

It was impossible, Alyna had decided, to tell her the truth.

How could she say, ‘your brother is just being chivalrous. He does not really care for me and I do not love him. He is making me his wife only to save me from the odious attentions of the Prince.’?

She knew that Elizabeth would not understand. Worse still she would undoubtedly be incensed at the idea of her brother being made use of in such a manner.

Alyna was already very fond of the sweet-natured young woman who had welcomed her so kindly into her home and made her one of the family.

How could she bear to have Elizabeth turn against her?

She had also grown unexpectedly fond of Rupert and Ivan. She had never had much to do with small boys before, since her father had disliked children of all ages and her mother merely ignored them.

Now Alyna could not help worrying lest Rupert and Ivan would miss her and feel that she had failed their trust by deserting them.