‘A soldiering brother,’ Gussie repeated. ‘Is that the aforementioned William?’
Clarissa’s smile was broad, and laced with a glittering satisfaction. ‘None of us has met him, of course,’ she said, silkily. ‘Except for you, Gussie.’
‘Now, how could I possibly have met Mr. Pile’s broth— oh, dear.’
It took Theo a little longer to grasp Clarissa’s meaning. Pile was of no high standing, so his brother could not be the sort of person Gussie would mix with in society. And if he was a soldier, then he wasn’t in service, and— oh, dear.
‘General Sir Robert Epworth?’ said Gussie in a faint voice.
‘General Sir Robert Epworth,’ purred Clarissa. ‘You did fine, thorough work, Gussie, and you are hardly to be blamed if not everyone is delighted with the results.’
It took Theo a moment to remember. Gu
