She hung her head. “It isvery bad of him, I know,” she faltered. “Indeed, I am very sorry!”
He dropped a hand on her shoulder. “ You have nothing to be sorry for!”
“She might be sorry to be such a fool, and you too, Sale!” interpolated the Dowager.
He paid no heed to this, but said: “I am going after them, of course. I imagine Gaywood will have taken her to London, for he will scarcely have the effrontery to be seen with her in Bath, under our noses! I beg your pardon, Harriet, and yours, ma’am: I shall be unable to escort you to the Assembly Rooms tonight I hope you will forgive me.”
“Oh, Gilly, as though I cared for that! Indeed, I have no wish to go! If—if you should not dislike it very much, I will go with you to fetch Belinda back!”
“Hoity-toity, what next?” demanded the Dowager. “ That would be the outside of enough, girl! Junketing about the country like any hoyden! You will do no such thing!”
Harriet flushed, but looked beseechingly up at the Duke. “Would it be improper, Gilly? You must be the judge, but I wish very much to go with you.”
He pressed her hand. “No, not improper, but I could not permit it, love. There is not the least need, moreover.”
“No. Oh, no! Only that—when he is vexed, poor Charlie has such a dreadful temper, and—and you are angry too, Gilly!”
“Oh, you need have no fear on that score!” he said reassuringly. “We shall not brawl in public, I hope!”