She ignored his question and asked another. "Why is everybody saying that you are engaged?"
He lifted his shoulders. "Because everybody is more or less of a gossiping fool, I should say. Still," he threw up his head with a laugh, "notions of that sort have their uses. My grandfather for instance is firmly of the opinion that I have come home to be married. I didn't undeceive him."
"You let him believe—what wasn't true?" said Avery slowly.
He looked straight at her, with his head flung back. "I did. It suited my purpose. I wanted to get home. He thought it was because the Roses had returned to Wardenhurst. I let him think so. It certainly was deadly without them."
It was then that Avery turned and began quietly to walk on up the hill.
He linked his arm in Pompey's bridle, and walked beside her.
She spoke after a few moments with something of constraint. "And how have you been—amusing yourself?"
"I?" Carelessly he made reply. "I have been playing around with Ina Rose chiefly—to save us both from boredom."
There sounded a faint jeering note behind the carelessness of his voice.
Avery quickened her pace almost unconsciously.
"It's all right," said Piers. "There's been no damage done."
"You don't know that," said Avery, without looking at him.