Lavinia took an eager step towards him, swinging her pearl-grey brocades.
"Oh, Tracy!" she cooed, holding out both hands.
His Grace advanced into the room and bent low over them.
"I rejoice to find you within, Lavinia," he said, a faint tinge of sarcasm running through his smooth tones. "As you perceive, I rode over." He made a gesture towards his high boots with their wicked-looking spurs. "No doubt Andrew forgot to give you my letter?"
"No," she said, slipping her hand in his arm. "He remembered in time, and—oh, Tracy, I was so vastly delighted to have it!"
"I am indeed honoured," he replied. "I am come on a sufficiently important matter."
"Oh!" She pulled her hand away disappointedly. "Money!"
"You are really wonderful, my dear. As you so crudely remark—money! Will you not be seated?"
She sank down on the couch dejectedly and watched him take a chair opposite her.
"Your most noble lord and master lent me a trifling sum the other day, but very trifling. I am, as usual, hard-pressed. And that young fool Andrew must needs fall into debt."