Louis started, not instantly comprehending.
"Rachel? She's—she's in bed. She'd gone to bed before you sent round."
"Well, I'll thank ye to get her up, then!" Julian pronounced. "She's got to hear this at first hand, not at second." His gaze expressed a frank distrust of Louis.
"But—"
At this moment Rachel came into the parlour, apparently fully dressed. Her eyes were red, but her self-control was complete.
Julian glared at Louis as at a trapped liar.
"I thought ye said she was in bed."
"She was," said Louis. He could find nothing to say to his wife.
Rachel nonchalantly held out her hand.
"So you've come," she said.