He was expressionless, as always, but it struck her that his eyes were smiling. ‘Pray humour me. My part in this adventure ended when I brought you all into Suffolk, and my pride will not bear having nothing of any use to do.’
‘In that case, I am decidedly in need of a guard.’
‘I am glad to hear it.’
‘After all, there is no saying what my cousin may do when he grows hungry.’
‘Surely he has been sufficiently sustained?’
‘Mrs. Baker’s comestibles were admirable, but not the sort to be of much use to Theo.’
Lord Maundevyle digested that. ‘I had wondered,’ he said. ‘All those nightly perambulations.’
‘He imagines it to be a secret, beyond the family. Pray don’t disabuse him of the notion. He is like to become cantankerous.’
‘I shall be as silent as the grave,’ he promised.
Lady Honori
