To them it did not matter what language her highness adopted so long as they obeyed the letter of the duke's instructions.

The little cavalcade directed its course toward the city.
"You have not been riding of late," she said.
Then she had missed him.

Carmichael's heart expanded.

To be missed is to be regretted, and one regrets only those in whom one is interested.
"I have ridden the same as usual, your Highness; only I have taken this road for a change." "Ah!" She patted the glistening neck of her mare.

So he had purposely tried to avoid her?
Why?
She stole a sly glance at him.