“You see, when you held me up on Hounslow Heath I found myself quite unable to resist the temptation—an overmastering one, believe me, Pelham—of—er—leading you on a little,” apologized his lordship. “You will have to try to forgive me, my dear boy.”
“Forgive you?” said the Viscount indignantly. “Do you realize that I haven’t had a spare moment since that brooch was lost? We’ve even had to drag a highwayman into it, not to mention poor Pom’s great-aunt!”
“Really!” said Rule, interested. “I had the pleasure of meeting the highwayman, of course, but I was not aware that Pommeroy’s great-aunt also had a hand in the affair.”
“She hadn’t, she’s dead,” said the Viscount shortly. A thought occurred to him. “Where’s Lethbridge?” he asked.
“Lethbridge,” said his lordship, “is at Maidenhead. But I do not think you need concern yourself with him.”
“Need I not?” said the Viscount. “Well, I’ve a strong notion I shall be on my way to Maidenhead in the morning.”
“You will, of course, do just as you please, my dear boy,” said Rule amiably, “but I should perhaps warn you that you will not find his lordship in a fit condition to receive you.”
The Viscount cocked a knowing eyebrow. “Ha, like that, is it? Well, that’s something. Pom will be glad to know. I’ll call him in.”
“Pray don’t put yourself to the trouble!” besought his lordship. “I do not wish to seem uncivil, Pelham, but I am constrained to tell you that I find you—shall we say a trifle de trop?”
The Viscount looked from Rule to Horatia. “I take you,” he said. “You want to be alone. Well, I think I’ll be off then.”