Aylesbury explained the plans to Marianne over dinner two days later. “He will lie in state on the fifteenth, and be interred the next day. You will need to press your dressmaker for appropriate garments. As my duchess, you will have very high precedence in the procession.” Marianne appeared much subdued. Far more than he expected after the night they had just shared. He might be itemizing their duties for her, but half of his mind saw her wild and naked, rising above him while she rode him in her frenzy. That image of her had not left him all day. He was enjoying their time in town, and was not sorry that they had to stay. Still, he kept waiting for news from Gloucestershire. In particular he expected a letter from Sir Horace, informing him that the coroner had finally issued a verdict of death by natural causes for Percy. If one did not arrive by tomorrow, he would write to Sir Horace and inquire about the delay. Marianne no longer ate.
