She was silent for a moment, and then said: “Very well. If you wish it we will remain here a little longer.”
“Thank you; I do wish it. My brother will do what lies in his power to make your stay agreeable, I trust. If you can keep him from overtaxing his strength I shall be your debtor.”
She could not prevent a suspicion from crossing her mind; she said with a certain reserve: “I cannot charge myself with such an office. I have neither interest nor influence with Captain Audley.”
There was a good deal of comprehension in his eyes, which were regarding her with something of the cynical gleam she so much disliked. “You are mistaken, Miss Taverner.”
“I do not understand you.”
“I shall not permit you to marry my brother. You would not suit.”
Miss Taverner whisked herself into her bedroom and shut the door with unnecessary force.
When she met the Earl again at the dinner-table he seemed to be unaware of having said anything to vex her. Her manner was cold; he gave no sign of noticing it; and after a while she came to the conclusion that her most dignified course would be to assume a similar unconcern.
Lady Fairford, applied to in a letter sent express, readily gave her consent to her daughter’s remaining at Worth under Mrs. Scattergood’s chaperonage; Miss Fairford’s presence easily reconciled Peregrine to the change of plan; and the Earl left his house on Monday, confident that his guests would be all very happily engaged with each other until his return.
His confidence was not misplaced. With riding-horses at their disposal. Assemblies at Longhampton, and their own company, the younger people were well satisfied. Captain Audley made a charming host, and it was not long before Peregrine liked him as well as his sister did, and thought him the very model of what he would secretly like to be himself. Three weeks slipped by without anyone’s noticing them, and by the time the party did at last break up every member of it was on excellent terms with the rest. Miss Taverner, while allowing the Captain to come as near to flirting with her as her sense of propriety would sanction, did not fall in love with him; and upon being asked by Peregrine whether she could fancy being married to him returned a decided answer.