“I have a very nice present for your birthday, princess,” he said, stroking her hair, “but it will be rather a shock at the same time, so you must prepare yourself for it. I have been thinking that you need a lady’s maid,” he went on, laughing, “and I have succeeded in finding you one.”
“Marry, I need no lady’s maid,” she replied, somewhat puzzled at the twinkle in his eye, “and you must not think of such a thing. I prefer to look after myself. I am not a grand lady and, even if I were, I would rather not have one. I am sure I should not like her.”
“I am sure you would,” said Ian, “and in any wise you must try and like her, because I insist.”
“You must not tease me, your Grace, I really do not want one.”
“I will not be called ‘your Grace,’ pussie,” he said, gently pulling her hair.
“Well, if you get me a lady’s maid, I shall call you ‘your Grace’ and then we shall all be grand together.”
“But I have gotten her already. I heard of her in a curious way in a letter from Walter Margrove, but I kept it as a surprise until I could get hold of her.”
“Oh, but really, Ian, I do not want her,” Aline protested. “I should hate her. Yes, by my troth, I should,” and she looked genuinely distressed.
“You would not hate this one,” he replied a little sadly; “it is some one that you know. But I must not tease you.”
“Do you mean Audry?” she asked doubtfully.