Although Honora found it rather exciting to be the only woman in the party, she had the feeling that the Duke was deliberately leaving her to ride beside the Earl while he talked to the other two men.

It was the last night at The Castle, when most of the other guests had already left, that the Countess exploded her bombshell.

“I believe, Ulric,” she said to the Duke, “it would be a good idea if you were married in the first week of next month.”

“Why should you think that?” the Duke asked sharply.

“I cannot help feeling,” she explained, “that it would be better both for you and for Honora to be married quickly, rather than have to put up with house party after house party, all exactly like the one we had this week.”

The way she spoke made Honora look at her in surprise because she thought it would be impossible for anybody, except in the same circumstances as herself, not to enjoy the party that had just taken place.

The Duke, as she had expected, had been a perfect host.

There was everything available for those who wished to be energetic and for those who did not there was The Castle itself to interest them besides delicious meals and various pleasant neighbours invited both for luncheon and for dinner to relieve any monotony for those who were staying in the house.

Her mother had often explained to her how things were done in grand houses and she appreciated the enormous number of quiet well-organised servants there were.

One had only to think of something one wanted for it to be there.

She expected now that the Duke would tell her aunt that she must be excessively critical to find fault with what had seemed perfection – a superb performance to rival even the most polished production on the stage.

To her surprise, he said instead,

“I should have thought that there was no hurry, but if that is what you want – ”

“I am only thinking of you,” the Countess said softly, “and I had not realised until now how many relations we both have, all of whom are determined to have their pound of flesh!”

“They are certainly making sure of that!” the Duke agreed. “I have had a dozen letters from cousins I did not even know existed who wish to be invited to stay.”

“There you are!” the Countess exclaimed. “George and I have had exactly the same experience. I think if I hear one more tiresome woman asking me if I really think you will be happy, I shall scream!”

The Earl looked up from the newspaper he was reading.

“They could hardly expect you to say that the bride and bridegroom would be unhappy!”

To Honora listening there was just a perceptible little pause before her aunt said in the insincere tone she had grown to recognise,

“No, of course not, and naturally I said they would be divinely happy!”