The thought of his young half-sister appeared to afford Mr Ravenscar no gratification. “She’s a devilish nuisance,” he replied.
A shade of uneasiness crossed her ladyship’s plump countenance. “Oh, indeed? Of course, she is very young, and I daresay Mrs Ravenscar indulges her more than she should. But—”
“Olivia is as big a fool as Arabella,” responded Ravenscar shortly. “They are both coming up to town next week. The 14th Foot are stationed near the Wells.”
This grim pronouncement apparently conveyed a world of information to Lady Mablethorpe. After a somewhat pensive pause, she said: “It is time dear Arabella was thinking of marriage. After all, I was married when I was scarce—”
“She never thinks of anything else,” said Ravenscar. “The latest is some nameless whelp in a scarlet coat.”
“You ought to keep her more under your eye,” said his aunt. “You are as much her guardian as Mrs Ravenscar.”
“I’m going to,” said Ravenscar.
“Perhaps if we could marry her suitably—”
“My dear ma’am,” said Mr Ravenscar impatiently, “Arabella is no more fit to be married than if she were still in long coats! I have it from Olivia that she has been head over ears in love with no fewer than five aspiring gentlemen in as many months.”
“Good God, Max! If you don’t take care, we shall have some dreadful fortune-hunter running off with her!”