“And Christopher was mad with us! He was like a bear with a sore head after you left, and insisted upon going up to town on Monday just for the day; he came over here on Tuesday, didn’t he?”
“No, he did not,” I was obliged to say, and I felt cross about it still, I don’t know why.
“He is a queer creature,” said Lord Robert, “and I am glad you have not seen him—I don’t want him in the way. I am a selfish brute, you know.”
I said Mrs. Carruthers had always brought me up to know men were that, so such a thing would not prejudice me against him.
He laughed. “You must help me to come and sit and talk again, after dinner,” he said. “I can see the red-haired son means you for himself, but, of course, I shall not allow that!”
I became uppish.
“Malcolm and I are great friends,” I said, demurely. “He walks me round the golf course in the park, and gives me advice.”
“Confounded impertinence!” said Lord Robert.
“He thinks I ought not to go to Claridge’s alone when I leave here, in case some one made love to me. He feels if I looked more like his sisters it would be safer. I have promised that Véronique shall stay at the other side of the door if I have visitors.”
“Oh, he is afraid of that, is he! Well, I think it is very probable his fears will be realized, as I shall be in London,” said Lord Robert.