“It’s not a question,” the Dowager snorted. “It’s a statement. You are in love with Justin and I suspect he is in love with you. Well, it might be worse. You are a lady, even though your father made a jackass of himself and caused a scandal. You can give Justin children who will perhaps have more sense and respect for their heritage than their father.”

“You forget that Dipa is the eldest son,” Carina pointed out.

She saw the Dowager’s face darken and the knuckles beneath the glittering rings went white as she clenched her hands.

“The eldest son!” she repeated. “The child of a trollop!”

“He is also a Lynche,” Carina said.

“I will not acknowledge him, I will not!” the Dowager exclaimed. “Something must be done. You took the law into your hands, why should I not take the law into mine?”

Her fingers went out towards the pistol lying on the ermine bedspread.

But Carina was quicker. Before the Dowager could grasp it, she bent forward and clutched it in her hand.

“No, no!” she cried. “There shall be no more killing. And you know as well as I do that you could not really harm an innocent child. You have to accept him. He is here – he is the heir. Somehow we will make him worthy of what his ancestors have fought for and what you have loved all your life.”

She spoke with intensity, holding the pistol against her breast. And, as her voice, passionate and pleading, died away, she heard the Dowager chuckle.

“I like you, girl,” Lady Lynche said. “You have more guts than all the men of this family put together. I like you and, when you marry my son, I will give you my blessing.”

“I am not going to marry him,” Carina said, “because he will not ask me.”

“Why not?” The Dowager’s voice was hard.

“I don’t know,” Carina said. “But there is something – something that holds him back – something that he will not tell me.”

“The fool!” the Dowager said again, but this time beneath her breath. “And yet it is right that he should be honourable.”

Carina looked at her and then looked away.

What did she mean? What could she interpret from this sentence?

Then the Dowager said briskly,

“There is time enough for both of you. You are young. I will speak to Justin. Damn it, but I never expected to take to my daughter-in-law and yet, as I have already said, I like you!”

“Thank you,” Carina said.

The Dowager looked her over as if she was appraising every inch of her body and then she said,

“Yes. You are no use as a Governess, far too impertinent and spirited. But you will make Justin a good wife and the family jewels will become you. Here, I have a present for you.”