Read "Beauvallet" by Georgette Heyer online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
When she first heard of the projected ball to be given in honour of Don Diego's birthday Dominica pleaded her mourning state, and said that she could not be present. She had a suspicion that this ball, surely unsuitable for a man's anniversary, was planned to lure her from her fastness. Maybe it was to serve as a prologue to her betrothal. She would not be present.
This decision drew a sigh from Doña Beatrice. "My dear, you are very teasing," she complained. "In Spain girls do not say I will, and I will not to those set in authority over them. Do me the favour to give way with a good grace."