He even apologized! He said he had been rude, and that it was wrong of him. Can you imagine?”Jessica smiled at her charge, enjoying the unabashed happiness on Gabriela’s face. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling, and she was talking with her old vivacity. It was heartening to see the weight of her sorrow lifted for the moment. “It was very good of him,” she said now. “Exactly what he should have done.”“He wasn’t at all high in the instep, either. You would think a duke would be, wouldn’t you? But he didn’t seem proud or self-important. Just sad. He explained about his daughter and how he thought it would hurt to see me, because I would make him think of her. But then he invited me on the walk anyway. Do you think he will change his mind and let us stay now?” Gabriela looked at Jessica hopefully.Jessica shrugged. “I don’t know. Lady Westhampton is here, and I think it is she—and her husband—who he hopes will take over your care. He might go ahead and ask her.”“She seemed very nice,”
