Devil’s Cub (Alastair-Audley #2)

TWO

IN THE SUNNY withdrawing-room which overlooked the street sat the Duchess of Avon, listening to her sister-in-law, Lady Fanny Marling, who had called to pay her a morning visit, and to talk over the week’s doings over a cup of chocolate and little sweet biscuits.

Lady Fanny no longer looked her best in the crude light of day, but her grace, though turned forty now, still retained a youthful bloom in her cheeks, and had no need at all to shrink from the sunlight.

Lady Fanny, who had taken care to seat herself with her back to the window, could not help feeling slightly resentful.