Rose turned her head sharply and confronted Lord Charlesbury.
“Oh, I am surprised to see you!” she cried, loudly and naïvely. “I didn’t know you were in London.”
“Then I had the advantage of you, for I saw your brother-in-law yesterday, and he told me you were here. Which way are you going?”
“Only as far as the chemist at the corner there, and then straight back home.”
“It’s beastly weather, isn’t it?” he agreed. “May I come with you?”
“Oh, do,” said Rose.
She was rather surprised at the extent of her own pleasure in the meeting. But he, also, had looked pleased.
Besides, it was nice to walk beside a man again, and have the swing-door of the chemist’s shop pushed open for one, and one’s parcel taken charge of as a matter of course.
“Won’t you let me take you somewhere for some tea? It’s such a dismal afternoon, do take pity on me and cheer me up.”
“Aren’t you busy?”