“Violet, what business have you with these gentlemen?”
What excuse she would have made if it had been left to her to answer, I don’t know. Tarleton instantly took the burden on himself.
“My business with Lady Violet is official, my lord. I am right, no doubt, in thinking that you are the Earl of Ledbury?”
“Official?” The word sounded like a snarl. “Who are you, sir?”
“I am the principal medical adviser to the Home Office. My name is Sir Frank Tarleton, and this gentleman is my assistant, Dr. Cassilis.”
I was already on my feet. I gave the Earl a deferential bow which only seemed to increase his irritation.
“And may I ask what you mean, gentlemen, by coming into my house and interviewing my daughter behind my back?”
Tarleton was not the man to let himself be addressed in that fashion.
“I think you forget yourself, my lord. The Lady Violet is of age, I believe. We are here in the discharge of our duty, and I need not remind your lordship that the law is not a respecter of persons.”
Lord Ledbury’s look of anger changed to one of amazement and alarm.