“That is as it should be, Lady Selina. I think I can promise you a cleaner bill of health if—if we work together.”
Unconsciously, he assumed a graver tone. Lady Selina eyed him pensively. She told herself that she liked him. He was certainly a gentleman, and as certainly a man of intelligence and capacity. A devastating thought flooded her mind. Was he too attractive? Compared with Lord Wilverley, for instance. Cicely had spoken of Old Grimmer with enthusiasm. And, as Brian’s friend, as the partner of Pawley, her house must be open to him. Young girls were susceptible, and it was impossible to play watch-dog in this go-as-you-please twentieth century. Then, confident in her own powers, she swept what she held to be an absurd possibility out of her mind. Cicely was a Chandos. Meanwhile, she must “place” this up-to-date young fellow more accurately. She continued sweetly:
“Have you any definite plan in your mind which might bring about this clean bill of health?” He bowed. “What is it?”
“My plan would involve the expenditure of time——”
“I have never grudged that.”
“And—money.”
Slightly taken aback, she repeated the word:
“Money? Much money?”
“Probably some thousands of pounds.”
Lady Selina was horrified, throwing up her shapely hands in protest. Habitually, she thought in pence, not in pounds. Her voice became sharp.