His aunt regarded him with astonishment. “I cannot conceive what you should have done! I do not blame you. I could not have guessed that anything so fantastic would happen.”
“You do not know what I have done!” said Ravenscar over his shoulder. “But never mind that! Where is Adrian’s bride?”
“He has left her in Wales. I declare I could have boxed his ears! He had the effrontery to tell me that he means to bring her to London, but would not do so until he was assured that she would be received with the civility due to his wife!”
Mr Ravenscar smiled for the first time since his meeting with his cousin that afternoon. “Capital! I hope he will come and tell me so too. He told me only that he was married and the happiest man on earth when I met him on his way to break the news to you. I daresay I shall receive a stern warning from him when next I see him.”
“But what is to be done?” demanded Lady Mablethorpe.
“There is nothing to be done, ma’am. It might, after all, have been very much worse.”
“Certainly, if he had married the Grantham creature, but do you tell me I must countenance this match?”
“Unless you wish for a breach with Adrian, undoubtedly,” replied Ravenscar.
“Oh, Max!” said her ladyship, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. “I don’t feel as though I can bear it!”
“It is certainly a severe shock, ma’am, but however much you may dislike the girl’s parents there is nothing wrong with her breeding. The greatest ill we have to fear is that Laxton will try to extort money from Adrian, and that he cannot do until the boy comes of age, by which time I must hope to have been able to drum a little sense into his head.”