‘Then do not think. I do not want you wretched, and in this, she has to work things through for herself.’
‘But, perhaps, I might manage the odd nudge?’
‘Helen?’
‘The ban on mentioning Lucius’s name is lifted, as long as you do not lace your conversation with it, and I think you might write and tell him that if he wishes to write here, in another week he may do so.’
‘Yes, my lady. Any further commands?’
She whispered in his ear.
It was generally agreed that Lucius Radstock was an even-tempered fellow, but his close friends found him abstracted, and even a little curt, following Miss Ashling’s sudden withdrawal into Northamptonshire. Lord Collingbourne, who had come upon him in Piccadilly and fallen into step321beside him, assuming he was heading for his club, regarded him in deep concern, having asked a question three times without receiving an answer.
‘Oil of cloves,’ he declared, as loudly as he thought seemly in a public thoroughfare.
‘I beg your pardon?’ Sir Lucius looked at him in sudden surprise.
‘No. That is for toothache. Oil of something else, then, to soften wax in the ears.’
‘What on earth are you talking about, Collingbourne?And why yell at me?’
‘Sorry, my dear fellow, but I thought you must be suffering from deafness. I enquired three times whether you thought Sink or Swim had a chance up against Twinkletoes at Epsom next week, and not a word did I get in reply.’
‘Forgive me, I was lost in thought.’
‘What is your opinion?’
‘On what?’
‘Sink or Swim, or Twinkletoes.’
‘I really have no idea. It is scarcely important.’
‘It is when you have laid a pony on Sink or Swim,’ Lord Collingbourne replied, with some acerbity. ‘You’ll be telling me next you are not attending the meeting.’
‘How percipient. I am not.’
‘What? Now, stop roasting me, there’s a good chap. It is not yet noon, and I had a very convivial evening with Hemsworth last night, so the old head is not up to coping with your dry wit.’
‘I am not going.’
‘But … But you always go.’
322‘I am sorry to disappoint you, but not this time.’
Stunned by this unwelcome news, Lord Collingbourne turned instinctively to the left to head down St James’s, and almost fell over his friend, who had not deviated from his straight course.
‘I say, sorry, Lucius, but I assumed we were going to White’s.’
‘You may be, but I am not.’
‘Tattersall’s?’
‘No. I am going home.’
Lord Collingbourne’s wits might not be sharp, but he was perfectly able to grasp the fact that his friend was in no mood for company. He bade him a kind farewell, adding that he hoped he felt better soon, and went to restore his spirits within the comforting familiarity of his club, where he came across Lord Bensthorpe, readingThe Gazette. Bensthorpe looked up.
‘Why the long face, Collingbourne?’
