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‘I am, and you have all my sympathy.’
Harry nodded, but said: ‘Oh, well! She don’t come the ugly with the girls, and they must have somebody to play gooseberry, I suppose.’ He waited, while Wicken, who had entered the room, set a heavily embossed silver tray down at his master’s elbow; but when he had accepted a glass of sherry from his host he said: ‘The thing is, sir, that if we are only remotely related there’s no reason in the world why you should be troubled with any of us, and I don’t like it at all that my sister Frederica should have jockeyed you into it! Which,’ he added shrewdly, ‘I’ll go bail she did!’
‘Oh, no!’ replied his lordship. ‘I collect you were not aware that I was under an obligation to your father.’
‘No, I wasn’t,’ said Harry.
‘How should you be?’ said his lordship, with the sweet, discomfiting smile which rarely failed to depress pretension.
Harry knew an impulse to ask in what way his erratic parent had contrived to place this unquestionable out-and-outer under an obligation, but the smile warned him that any such enquiry would be an impertinence. He refrained, therefore; but after drinking a little sherry made a recover, and said, his chin lifting a little: ‘However that may be, sir, I must feel myself greatly indebted to you. Not only for sponsoring my sisters, which – which is a debt I can’t repay, but for coming so kindly to my young brother’s rescue. That debt I can repay, and – and wish to do immediately! In fact, that forms a part of my errand to you, so will you tell me, if you please, what was the sum which you were obliged to spend on his behalf?’
‘I am afraid you will have to hold me excused,’ replied his lordship apologetically. ‘For one thing, I don’t know: my secretary settled the business; and, for another, I lent Jessamy the sum, whatever it may have been, upon certain terms.’
‘Yes, sir – he told me, and – and I’m very much obliged to you! Though why the silly gudgeon didn’t bring his covert-hack to London, instead of making a dashed martyr of himself, or even hire a horse – ’
‘I hardly think he would care for a job-horse. And since he is determined not to incur the expense of a horse and a groom in London, may I suggest that you leave well alone?’
Harry flushed. ‘I beg your pardon, but it isn’t well, sir! I mean, there’s no reason why Jessamy should be so much beholden to you: he should have applied to me, because I’m his guardian, not you!’
‘Oh, I haven’t the smallest intention of usurping your authority!’ the Marquis assured him.
‘It isn’t so much that – well, as a matter of fact, it’s my sister who has the younger ones in charge,’ confessed Harry. ‘But when it comes to letting my brother – my ward! – run into debt – no!’
‘Ah, that is a matter which lies between you and him, and in no way concerns me! Give him a thundering scold – if you feel it to be your duty!’
‘What, when I’ve been sent down myself?’ exclaimed Harry. ‘I’m not such a mawworm! Besides,’ he added frankly, ‘I’ll be damned if I give my head to Jessamy for washing!’
The Marquis smiled. ‘Then, I repeat, leave well alone!’ Then he saw that Harry was looking far from satisfied, and the amusement deepened in his eyes. ‘Or you can stand surety, if you feel he won’t redeem the debt,’ he said.
Harry stiffened; and replied in rather a gritty voice: ‘I have no fear of that, sir!’
‘No, nor have I.’
‘What I do fear,’ said Harry, slightly mollified, ‘is that he’ll very likely run himself aground over the business.’
‘In that case,’ replied his lordship, ‘it will be your duty – as his guardian – to bring him about again. I can’t agree, however, that it is a likely contingency. I believe the sum involved to have been quite trifling. Meanwhile, he is happily employed every morning, exercising one or other of my hacks, instead of addling his brain with overmuch study. Really, it is I who stand in his debt: I had liefer by far entrust my horses to him than to any groom.’
‘Yes, indeed!’ Harry said warmly. ‘He’s got a maggot in his head over some things, but he’s a clipping rider, I promise you! In the hunting-field, I mean! No need to be afraid he won’t keep your hacks well in hand!’
‘Then, since our minds are now relieved of care, we needn’t discuss the matter further,’ said his lordship. ‘What are your own plans? Are you making a come-out too?’
Harry’s mind was not quite relieved of care, but, partly from diffidence, and partly from an innate dislike of responsibility, he let the subject drop, assuring the Marquis instead that he had no desire to make a come-out. He added that he did not think it would be (under the circumstances) quite the thing. ‘I shall be visiting a friend, and going about with him a good deal, I daresay.’
‘I see. Keep away from the – er – sluiceries of Tothill Fields, and if you end up in a Watch-house, with your pockets to let, send a message here, not to Upper Wimpole Street: I’ll bail you out.’
‘Thank you! But I don’t anticipate –’
‘One never does,’ murmured his lordship. ‘These things happen to one, however, and it is just as well to be prepared.’ He looked thoughtfully at his young guest. ‘I recall that your sister told me once that you are fond of boxing: if you have a fancy to attend Jackson’s school – it’s in Bond Street, No. 13 – send this in to him! He will pay particular attention to you.’ He drew out his card-case as he spoke, scrawled something on one of the visiting-cards he abstracted from it, and flicked it over to Harry.
‘Oh, by Jupiter!’ Harry exclaimed, catching it, and eagerly deciphering the scrawled message. ‘That’s devilish good of you, sir! I’m excessively oblige
d to you! I’m no better than a moulder, of course, but I am very partial to the sport! Thank you very much! Though why you should concern yourself with me, I’m damned if I know!’ He coloured hotly, and added, in apologetic accents: ‘I mean – well, all this gammon about being under an obligation to my father – !’
‘The charm of novelty,’ replied his lordship, bringing the interview to an end by rising from his chair. ‘Since I assumed the rôle of guardian – titular, of course! – of your enterprising brothers, I haven’t known what might happen next. Hitherto I have always known precisely what would happen next: a dead bore, believe me!’
With this, Harry had to be content. He took a punctilious leave of the Marquis, and went off, unable to decide if he liked him, or disliked him.
The Marquis had no such doubts. Within ten minutes of making Harry’s acquaintance, he had recognised in him not only his father’s merits, but also his failings. A pleasing boy, with frank, well-bred manners, whom it was impossible not to like; but one who lacked strength of character, and would always be amiably ready to let another shoulder his responsibilities.
