"I haven't even seen Theo since breakfast," she said as they shook hands. "Tent-pegging days are hopeless: and I promised to go down early. Don't trouble to come out with me, please."
But Lenox insisted: and on his return found Quita back at her canvas, to all appearance working diligently at a difficult bit of detail in one corner. She greeted him with lifted brows.
"Finished your article already?"
"No."
"Then what on earth are you doing, loafing about in here? I'm busy. I want to get this bit done before I go out."
"Do you though?" but instead of retreating, he came closer, deliberately confiscated palette and brushes, and drew her into his arms.
"Shall I send Desmond a 'chit,' to say 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come'?"
"Yes,—do. He'll forgive you."
"And shall we go for a long ride across country, when I'm through with my work: and look in at the tent-pegging later?"
For answer she leaned against him with a sigh of content.