“I wouldn’t tell unless it became absolutely necessary,” she urged.
“It never can be absolutely necessary,” he retorted. “It would be no more dishonourable to tell a lie than break a promise.”
Trix went scarlet.
“I never had the smallest intention of doing either,” she replied. “If I had, I need not have troubled to come up here and ask you to release me from my promise.”
Nicholas drummed his fingers on a small table near him.
“Well, you’ve had my answer,” he said.
His voice was perfectly adamantine. Trix felt as if she were up against a piece of rock. She knew it was useless to pursue the subject further, yet for Pia’s sake she tried again.
“Mr. Danver, why do you want everyone to think you’re dead?” There was something almost childish in the way she put the question.
Nicholas laughed.
“Partly, my dear young lady, for my own amusement, but largely for a scheme I have on hand.”