His wife looked distractingly lovely in a diaphanous lace nightdress, but he doubted whether she would appreciate being told so at the moment, for her face was crumpled with worry in a way that made her look absurdly childlike.‘What is it, my love?’ he asked gently. ‘Surely you cannot be worrying about Annabella again? She is with your Grandmother in her room, chatting nineteen to the dozen, so that is one of your fears allayed, at least!’The frown on Alicia’s brow lightened for a moment. ‘Yes, I must own that I had the gravest doubts that they would like each other, and yet they have taken to each other in such a way!’‘Your grandmother,’ James said, toying with a curl that was lying seductively in the hollow of Alicia’s collarbone, ‘recognised instantly what the rest of us have only just started to realise, which is that Annabella, like you, is a Stansfield after her own heart! So, if that is not your concern, what—?’Alicia’s frown returned. ‘It is just that I cannot believe Annabella is happy,’ she said in a rush.
