Eustacie’s eyes twinkled wickedly. “Well, you see, I had to make up a reason why I could not take Sarah to the Court, so I said that you were very angry with me.”
“Oh, is that all?” Sir Tristram sounded relieved.
Miss Thane, feeling that she had something to avenge, said meditatively: “Yes, it was the Beau himself who suggested the rest. No one could really blame Eustacie.”
“The rest?”
“Oh, it was nothing to signify!” said Sarah, with an airy gesture. “Mr Lavenham just asked if you were still importuning Eustacie to marry you.”
“Why should I be doing anything of the sort?”
“On account of her being an heiress,” explained Sarah.
Sir Tristram said dryly: “Of course. I should have thought of that. I trust neither of you will hesitate to vilify my character whenever it seems expedient to you to do so.”
“No, of course we shall not,” Miss Thane assured him.
“But you do not mind, mon cousin, do you?”