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“Yet you are trying to put me under a false obligation,” cut in Delagarde.
“It is not false! If I had not your mother’s letter, I would not have involved you at all. In any event, this has nothing to do with being put under an obligation to Adela.”
“Then what has it to do with?” Delagarde began to be intrigued by the workings of the wench’s mind.
“I am not a cheat! I would not pretend to one thing and mean another. Such conduct may suit Adela. It would not suit me. If I was prepared to marry Eustace, what need was there for a Season? But I am not willing to marry him. It would scarcely be honourable in me to dupe Adela into thinking I might do so, and allow her to bring me out only in order that I could find someone else. No, no. I must arrange it for myself, or I had better not wed at all.”
“But you are not arranging it for yourself,” Delagarde pointed out. “You are expecting me to arrange it.”
“And so you shall,” broke in Lady Hester Otterburn cheerfully.
“What?”
“My dear Laurie, you will hardly be outdone in the matter of honour, I should hope. It is not the part of a chivalrous man to leave poor Maidie to her fate. Besides, I know it must be an object with you to accede to your mother’s wishes. I cannot think you will do otherwise than make it your business to set Lady Mary’s feet upon the social ladder.”
Temporarily silenced by the shock of his great-aunt’s perfidy, Delagarde watched in a daze as Lady Hester Otterburn ushered the visitor out. With disbelieving ears, he heard her encouraging the dreadful female to return, bringing with her the duenna and all their trunks from the Maddox Street inn where she had left them. No sooner had the front door shut behind Maidie, than his lordship came to himself with a start.
“Have you taken leave of your senses, Aunt Hes?” he demanded, as that lady walked back into the parlour.
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, I do! What possessed you to invite her back here? If you imagine I am to be coerced into acceding to the wench’s idiotic request, you may think again.”
“Then you will be a great fool.”
He stared at her. “I beg your pardon?”
“My dear Laurie, if you cannot see what is right under your nose, I declare I wash my hands of you.”
“I wish you would. Do, pray, stop talking in riddles, Aunt.”
To his surprise, she eyed him with a good deal of speculation for a moment. Then she smiled. “Gracious, I believe you really don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?”
Lady Hester laughed at him. “How to bring a girl out, of course. No matter. You will learn fast, I dare say.”
“But I have no desire to learn it! What is more, I am not going to do so.”
“Oh, yes, you are. I have quite decided that.”
“You have decided it? Thank you very much indeed. Give me one good reason why I should allow myself to have this hideous charge foisted on to me.”
“I might give you several, but one will suffice. You are far too hedonistic and idle.”
Delagarde fairly gasped. “I amwhat?”
“I have long thought the life you lead is ruinous. You have no responsibility, and nothing to do beyond consulting your own pleasure. It will do you good to exert yourself and think of someone else for a change.”
“Oh, will it? Then allow me to point out to you that if—if!—I agree to this preposterous idea—”
“Don’t be silly, Laurie. Everything is settled.”
“—it is not I who will be exerting myself. It may have escaped your notice, Aunt, but it is usual for debutantes to have a female to bring them out.”
“Quite right. I shall do that.”
“Not in this house you will not! Besides, you cannot do so. For one thing, you have no longer any position in society—”
