Lord Lionel was amused. “Very pretty talking, upon my word! Don’t think to cajole me with your caressing ways, you young rascal, when I know well you are determined to have your own way in spite of me!”
The Duke gave a shaken laugh. “Yes. Yes, I am. But I need not have spoken to you so!”
“Oh, I never liked a man the less for being ready to sport his canvas!” Lord Lionel said coolly. “But this fellow Liversedge, Gilly! Do you expect me to submit to being waited on at table by a villain?”
The Duke smiled sweetly at him. “Well, he may as well make himself useful while he is still under my roof, sir. I am sure he will wait onus excellently. Besides, Harriet is here, and I really cannot have an indifferent dinner set before her!”
“Harriet here!” exclaimed his lordship. “Good God, Gilly, why could you not have told me that before? Here am I in all my dirt, for I had not meant to change my dress since we are alone, and one must keep that fellow Mamble in countenance! Where is Harriet?”
“I dare swear in Mrs. Kempsey’s room, sir. She will not regard your riding-dress, I assure you.”
“I would not be guilty of such discourtesy as to sit down to the table with her in it!” declared Lord Lionel, hurrying towards the door. “Really, you are a great deal too thoughtless! You will make my excuses to Harriet, and say that I shall be down directly!” He opened the door, but checked on the threshold, perceiving that Liversedge was in the act of opening the double entrance doors. “Now, who the devil can be visiting us at this hour?” he said testily. “I hope that fellow has the sense to deny us!”
Liversedge was given no opportunity of doing so. As soon as the doors were fairly open, Lord Gaywood thrust unceremoniously past him into the hall, saying through his teeth: “Inform the Duke that Lord Gaywood desires speech with him! And don’t tell me he is not at home, for I know very well he is!”
“Well, Gaywood, what’s all this?” demanded Lord Lionel. “If you want Sale, he is here, and will no doubt be glad to see you. I see no occasion for these stable-manners you young men delight in assuming. Put down your hat and coat, and do not give me any of your black looks!”
Lord Gaywood was in a towering rage, but this reception from one of whom he stood in the liveliest awe acted as a check upon him. He stammered: “I didn’t know you were here, sir!”