See

The carriage stopped in front of a symmetrical pre-Georgian house, with white Doric columns and glazed folding doors leading into a vaulted foyer. The small but elegant building had so far exceeded Torcia's expectations that she looked at it in speechless astonishment.

Stepping out of the car first, Reeves helped her down, while a servant hurried up the steps to inform the servants that the master had returned.

Wincing at the constriction of her leg muscles for so long, Torcia leaned against Reeves's supporting arms as they made their way to the door. A middle-aged housekeeper greeted them. She was a chubby woman with warm eyes and silver-brushed hair.

"Mrs Trend," said Reeves with a sudden mischievous glint in his eyes, "as you can see, I've brought a guest here. She's Miss Sette. I'll advise you to treat the lady well. , because she just convinced me to marry her."

Realizing the implication that she was the only one forcing the marriage, Torcia gave him a talking look, and he grinne