“I cannot believe that any of the servants were responsible,” she insisted.
“You would do better to pretend to believe it, however.”
“Then you do not think so either!” she exclaimed.
“No, I think Hubert did it,” he replied coolly. “And if I am right, you have my cousin to thank for speedily releasing you.”
“Hubert!” she cried. “Why should he do such an un-gentlemanly thing, pray?”
He shrugged. “Possibly for a jest, possibly because he resented your interference in Cecilia’s affairs, my dear Eugenia. He is much attached to his sister.”
She said in a deeply mortified tone, “If that is so, I hope you mean to take him to task!”
“I shall do nothing so ill judged,” responded Mr. Rivenhall, at his most blighting.
Chapter 9
SHORTLY AFTER this not entirely successful day in country, Mr. Rivenhall announced his intention of going down to Ombersley for a spell. His mother had no objection to advance, but realizing that the dread moment of disclosure had now come, said, with an assumption of calm she was far from feeling, that she hoped he would come back to London in time to attend Sophy’s party.