Deliberately, she slackened her pace until they were well behind the others.
“Lord Charlesbury, I want to ask you something.”
She was looking full at him as she spoke, and for an instant caught a fleeting glimpse of something like apprehension in his face. Even as her perceptions registered the look, it vanished, so that she was not even sure if it had really been there.
“I’m sure you have influence with my brother-in-law, with Ford. Will you try and make him leave Cecil to me?”
“I don’t think I understand.”
“You see it’s like this,” she spoke breathlessly. “Ford is Cecil’s guardian. Poor Jim arranged that—he was always doing tiresome things. And, of course, the Aviolets have got the money. I’ve nothing at all, and Jim—naturally—only left debts. So here we are on charity.”
“You can’t call it that—your boy’s own people.”
“Oh, I don’t mind a bit.” Rose assured him hastily. “At least hardly at all. I wouldn’t mind anything, if it were good for Ces, and of course he’s having splendid advantages here. Isn’t he?”
She looked at him wistfully, as though in sudden needed of reassurance.
“Yes, certainly. He looks such a jolly, happy little chap, too.”