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petticoats. “I made inquiries about Thornborough when his solicitor first approached me about a possible match. He’ll make you a better husband than most, Sunny. He’s respected by those who know him, and while he isn’t a wit like his brother was, and he’s certainly not fashionable, he’s no fool, nor is he the sort to humiliate you by flaunting his mistress.”
    Sunny stiffened. “Thornborough has a mistress?”
    â€œVery likely—most men do.” Katie’s lips curved ruefully. “There’s much you need to learn about English husbands and English houses. Living in Britain is quite unlike being a visitor, you know.”
    Sunny relaxed when she found that her godmother had been talking in general rather than from particular knowledge. Though she knew that fashionable English society was very different from what she was used to, she disliked the idea of Thornborough with a mistress. Acutely.
    She began the slow process of putting on her left glove. “Perhaps you had better educate me about what to expect.”
    â€œBe prepared for the fact that English great housesare cold. ” Katie shuddered. “Forget your delicate lace shawls—to survive winter in an English country house, your trousseau should include several wraps the size and weight of a horse blanket. You must have at least one decent set of furs, as well. The houses may be grand, but they’re amazingly primitive—no central heating or gaslights, and no hot running water. And the bathrooms! A tin tub in front of the fire is the best you’ll do in most houses.”
    Surprised and a little amused, Sunny said, “Surely Swindon Palace can’t be that bad. It’s said to be the grandest private home in Great Britain.”
    Katie sniffed. “A palace built almost two hundred years ago, and scarcely a pound wasted on modernization since then. But don’t complain to Thornborough— English husbands, as a rule, are not solicitous in the way that American husbands are. Since the duke will not want to hear about your little grievances, you must learn to resolve matters on your own. I recommend that you take your own maid with you. That way you can count on at least one person in the household being on your side.”
    Sunny put a hand up. “If you say one sentence more, I will go downstairs and cancel my betrothal,” she said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “I’m beginning to wonder why any woman would want to marry an English lord, particularly if she isn’t madly in love with him.”
    â€œI didn’t mean to terrify you,” Katie assured her. “I just want to make sure that you won’t be disillusioned. Once a woman gets past the discomforts, she may have more freedom and influence than she would in America. Here, a woman rules her home, but nothing outside. An English lady can be part of her husband’s life, or develop a life of her own, in a way most unusual in America.”
    Since frankness was the order of the day, Sunny asked, “Are you sorry you married Lord Westron?”
    Katie hesitated a moment. “There are times when I would have said yes, but we’ve come to understand each other very well. He says that I’ve been invaluable to his political career, and through him, I’ve been able to bring a little American democracy to some hoary bits of British law.” She smiled fondly. “And between us, he and I have produced three rather splendid children, even if I shouldn’t say so myself.”
    Sunny sighed; it was all very confusing. She was glad when a knock sounded on her door. “Your mother says that it is time to come down, Miss Sarah,” the butler intoned.
    â€œDon’t forget your fan. It’s going to be very warm on the dance floor,” Katie said briskly. “I’ll be down after I’ve freshened up.”
    Sunny accepted the fan, then lifted her train and