“No such thing!” Cecilia said. “Sophy would never marry him!”
“She has certainly shown herself unworthy of his devotion. I hope she may not have cause to be thankful to marry any respectable man who offers for her.”
Since Lord Bromford was ushered into the room at that moment, Cecilia was spared the necessity of answering her.
His lordship was looking extremely anxious, but no anxiety could suffice to make him abate the formality of his greetings. These were performed with great punctilio, nor did he forget to make civil inquiry after the state of Amabel’s health. He then begged pardon for importuning Miss Rivenhall to grant him an audience, and, after only a little circumlocution, came to the point of his visit. He had seen Miss Stanton-Lacy driving along Piccadilly in a hack chaise and four, Lord Charlbury beside her, and baggage tied on behind the chaise.
“My cousin has been called suddenly out of town,” said Cecilia, in a cool tone that might have been expected to have damped pretension.
“With only that fellow for her companion!” he exclaimed, very much shocked. “Besides — and this is a circumstance which makes it appear the more extraordinary — I was engaged to drive out with her this afternoon!”
“She had forgotten,” Cecilia said. “She will be so sorry! You must forgive her.”
He regarded her intently for a moment, and what he saw in her face caused him to turn toward her companion., and to say earnestly, “Miss Wraxton, I appeal to you! It is useless to tell me that Miss Stanton-Lacy has not left London clandestinely! How should Rivenhall have permitted her to go off in such a fashion? Pardon me, but Charlbury’s attentions — marked, you will agree, beyond the bounds of propriety — have given rise to the most dreadful suspicions in my mind. It cannot be unknown to you that I have an interest there myself! I had flattered myself that upon Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy’s return to England — But this sudden departure — baggage strapped on behind, too!” He stopped, apparently overcome.
Miss Wraxton said smoothly, “Miss Stanton-Lacy is at all times impatient of convention. She has driven down to her home at Ashtead, but I am confident that the persuasions of Miss Rivenhall and myself must weigh with her, and she will return to London with us tonight. We are about to set forth for Ashtead immediately.”
He seemed to be much struck, and said at once, “This is like you! I understand you, I believe! I have known that fellow for a libertine these many weeks! Depend upon it; he has quite taken her in! Does Rivenhall accompany you?”