She looked a trifle confounded, and said in a defiant tone: “Well, I am not!”
“Who is he?” he enquired.
“His name is Nathaniel Coate, and he is a friend of my cousin’s.”
“Your cousin?”
“Henry Stornaway. He is my grandfather’s heir. He is at this present staying at Kellands, and Mr. Coate with him.”
“Dear me!” said John mildly. “That, of course, is enough to trouble anyone. What brings so dashing a blade into these parts?”
“I wish I knew!” she said involuntarily.
“Oh! I thought I did know, “said John.
She threw him a scornful look. “If you imagine that it was to fix his interest with me, you’re quite out! Before he came to Kellands, I daresay he did not know of my existence: he had certainly never seen me!”
“Perhaps he came into the country on a repairing lease,” suggested John equably. “If he teases you, don’t stand on ceremony! Give him his marching orders! I’m sure his waistcoat is all the crack, but he shouldn’t sport it in the middle of Derbyshire.”