“Do you know, Robert, it would really not oblige me.”
Lethbridge looked up at him, the mockery back in his eyes. “Memory is a damnably intrusive thing, eh? I shan’t die.” His head sank a little on his chest; he lifted it with an effort, and leaned it against the upholstered chair-back. “You’ll admit it was clever of me to win Horry’s friendship. I told her, by the way, that Caroline was in your Ranelagh plot.”
Rule said gently: “You had always a poisonous tongue, Robert.”
“Oh, always,” Lethbridge agreed.
He heard the opening of the door and turned his head. “At last! Pray take that look off your face, my good man; I suppose you have seen a sword-wound before.”
The doctor set down his bag on the table. “I have seen many, sir,” he answered primly. His eye alighted on the brandy bottle. “Cognac? That is not a remedy. I wish you may not end this night in a high fever.” He looked at the bloodstained bandage and sniffed. “H’m! Some bleeding. Landlord, send up two of your lads to carry his lordship to his room. Pray sit still, sir. I shall not inspect your hurt till I have you in bed.”
Lethbridge gave a wry smile. “I could not wish you a deadlier fate than to be in my shoes now, Marcus.” He held out his left hand. “I’ve done with you. You arouse the worst in me, you know. Your cut will heal quicker than mine, for which I am sorry. It was a good fight—I don’t remember a better. Hatred lends a spice, doesn’t it? If you want to add to your damned goodness, send word to my fool of a valet to join me here.”
Rule took his hand and gripped it. “The only thing that ever made you tolerable, my dear Robert, was your impudence. I shall be in town tomorrow. I’ll send him down to you. Good night.”
Half an hour later he strolled into the library at Meering, where Mr Gisborne sat reading a newspaper, and stretched himself on the couch with a long sigh of content.
Mr Gisborne looked at him sideways, wondering. The Earl had clasped his hands behind his head, and where the lace ruffle fell back from his right wrist the corner of a bloodstained handkerchief showed. The lazy eyelids lifted. “Dear Arnold, I am afraid you will be disappointed in me again. I hardly dare tell you but we are going back to London to-morrow.”