There was now a slight crease between Mr. Westruther’s brows, but he said, still in an amused tone: “Do forgive me!—But how came you, in these circumstances, to tear yourself away from your—er—betrothed so soon? And you always polite to a point!”
“Didn’t tear myself away from her,” replied Freddy. “Brought her up to town with me. Wanted to present her to m’mother and father. She’s in Mount Street.”
He watched his cousin to see how this piece of corroborative information was being received, and was a little puzzled. There was a gleam in Jack’s eyes, and the hint of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth. “I see,” he said. He patted Freddy on the shoulder. “I felicitate you, coz: I am quite sure you will suit admirably! Of course I shall call in Mount Street to pay my respects to the future Mrs. Standen, but in the meantime do, pray, assure her of my best wishes for her happiness!”
“Much obliged. Very likely she’ll visit Meg, though.”
“Then I shall call in Berkeley Square. What a charming surprise for Meg! Here she comes!” He paused, watching Lady Buckhaven, who had been taking part in the country-dance which had just ended, trip across the floor towards them. “Dearest cousin, here is Freddy with such delightful news for you! I shall leave him to tell it to you, but I give you warning that when they strike up for the waltz you are mine, and I will by no means submit to being supplanted by him!”
Lady Buckhaven, a very pretty blonde, with her mama’s large, rather full eyes, and a great deal of vivacity, cried out at this. “How can you, Jack? As though I would do anything so rustic as to stand up with my own brother! Freddy, where have you been this age? What have you to tell me?”
His eyes were on his cousin’s retreating form; instead of answering, he said, in a disapproving tone: “What’s he mean by calling you his dearest cousin?”
“Why, that I am, to be sure!” she retorted, laughing.
“Well, it ain’t much to boast of,” said Freddy, having passed his family under rapid mental review. “All the same, shouldn’t encourage him!”
“Don’t be so gothic, Freddy! He is the most enchanting flirt, and only think how ravishing it is to set odious creatures like Charlotte Kilvington there gnawing their nails with jealousy! I declare you are as stupid as Lady Buckhaven! Oh, Freddy, the most shocking thing! That antiquated old fidget insists that I cannot remain in London while Buckhaven is away!”