“Charlotte has contracted an engagement too,” observed Matthew. “Did you know it? It is to Alfred Thirsk.”
“Certainly I knew it,” replied Gilly. “In fact, I very nearly withheld my consent to the match.”
“Very nearly withheld your consent!” repeated Matthew, staring at him in the liveliest astonishment.
“Well, I had the intention, but, like so many of my intentions, it came to nothing. Your father wrote me a very proper letter, expressing the hope that the alliance met with my approval. Only it does not: not at all!”
Matthew burst out laughing. “Much my father would care! Stop bamming, Gilly!”
“Bamming? You forget yourself, Matt!” Gilly retorted. “Let me tell you that I am the head of our family, and it is time that I learned to assert myself!”
Gideon smiled. “Have you been asserting yourself, Adolphus?”
“No, no, I am not yet beyond the stage of learning! I am so bird-witted, you know, that I can never tell what is asserting myself, and what is putting myself forward in a very pert fashion that will not do at all.”
Gideon dropped a hand on his shoulder, and gripped it, but as Wragby came in just then, with a laden tray, he said nothing. The Duke lifted his own hand to clasp that larger one. “All gammon!” he said jerkily. “I told you I was blue-devilled!”
Gideon smiled down at him in his lazy way, and shook him gently to and fro. “Wretched little snirp!” he said.