“I didn’t!” said the Viscount hastily. “Now don’t for God’s sake ask a lot of silly questions, Horry!”
Horatia said, with a flash of her eyes: “Tell me P-Pelham!”
“Ain’t nothing to tell,” replied the Viscount, wriggling nobly. “Except that the Massey’s reputation don’t bear probing into; but what of that?”
“V-very well,” said Horatia, a singularly dogged look about her mouth. “I shall ask Rule.”
The Viscount was seriously alarmed by this threat, and said rashly: “No, don’t do that! Damme, there’s nothing to ask, I tell you!”
P-perhaps Crosby will explain it, then,” said Horatia. “I will ask him.”
“Don’t you ask that viper anything!” ordered the Viscount. “You’ll get nothing but a pack of scandal-mongering lies from him. Leave well alone, that’s my advice.”
The candid grey eyes lifted to his face. “Is R-Rule in love with Lady M-Massey?” Horatia asked bluntly.
“Oh, nothing like that!” the Viscount assured her. “These little affairs don’t mean being in love, y’know. Burn it, Horry, Rule’s a man of the world! There’s nothing in it, my dear gal—everyone has ’em!”
Horatia glanced across at Lady Massey’s box again, but the Earl had disappeared. She swallowed before replying: “I kn-know. P-please don’t think that I m-mind, because I d-don’t. Only I think I m-might have been told.”