Involuntarily Sir Anthony’s face softened. “My dear, I hate to leave you here,” he said.
The smile crept back into the grey eyes. “I was afraid you were angry with me, Tony.”
“I was,” he answered. “But you disarm anger. Will you not come with me?”
He was not to know how that shook her resolve. She shook her head. “Don’t ask me. I must stand by my word. If my father’s claim succeeds — ”
There was a momentary tightening of the mouth. “If that tiresome old gentleman were not your father, Prue — ”
Came the deep twinkle. “Oh, I know, sir! You would say to the devil with him. We often do.”
He laughed. “You’re a disrespectful couple. I believe I’ll postpone my visit to Hampshire.”
“If you would please me, Tony, you will go as you planned.”
“So that you may disappear while I am away?”
“Can you trust my word?” He nodded. “I won’t disappear. But I would rather that you went.”