“It won’t be today. Do you mean to come with me, or not?”
“Well, I had meant to walk in the Park, with my maid, but if you would like me to come with you I will do so,” said Miss Ravenscar handsomely.
He looked at her with a sardonic gleam of comprehension in his eye. “An assignation, Belle?”
Miss Ravenscar said airily: “Oh dear me, no!”
“Little liar,” said Ravenscar, without heat.
She seemed flattered by this, and gave a gurgle.
Ravenscar had had his perch-phaeton brought round to the door, with a showy pair of chestnuts harnessed to it. His sister was delighted to find that she was to drive out in this sporting vehicle and skipped up into it, begging Ravenscar to waste no time in starting, since if her Mama were to look out of the window she would be bound to say that it was too dangerous, and forbid her to go, for fear she might be overturned. Ravenscar took this aspersion on his driving with equanimity, and they drove off in the direction of the Park. As soon as they were within the gates, Miss Ravenscar demanded to be allowed to take the ribbons. Since he had taught her to drive himself; her brother raised no objection to this, and handed them over. Perfect harmony being thus established between them, he felt it safe to ask her whether her affections were irrevocably set on Mr Grantham, of the 14th Foot. Arabella said, in accents of considerable surprise: “Kit Grantham? Good gracious, Max, no! That was a long time ago!”
“So it was,” he agreed. “At least ten days. I met the young gentleman the other night. I am glad you don’t mean to marry him. He would not do for you at all.”
“No, he is far too young,” said Arabella. “I do not think I like very young men nearly as much as older ones. Not too old, of course.”
Mr Ravenscar cast rapidly round in his mind, but was unable to think of any male between the ages of thirty and forty with whom Arabella might have come into contact. He waited hoping for a further clue.