These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

‘To give March a muff ?’

‘Precisely.’

‘I perceive that you will make that an excuse. Léon goes with you?’

‘As you say, Léon goes with me.’

‘I had meant to ask you once again to give him to me.’

The Duke fanned himself with an air, handling the chicken-skin like a woman.

‘I really could not permit it, my dear; it would be most improper.’

Hugh looked sharply up at him.

‘Now, what mean you by that, Justin?’

‘Is it possible that you have been hoodwinked? Dear, dear!’

‘You’ll explain, if you please!’

‘I had come to think you omniscient,’ sighed his Grace. ‘You have had Léon in your care for eight days, and you are as innocent of his deception as you were when I first introduced him to your notice.’

‘You mean?’

‘I mean, my dear, that Léon is Léonie.’

Davenant threw up his hands.

‘You knew, then!’

His Grace stopped fanning himself.

‘I knew? I knew from the first. But you?’

‘Perhaps a week after he came here. I hoped that you knew nothing.’

‘Oh, my dear Hugh!’ Avon shook with gentle laughter. ‘You thought me guileless! I forgive you only because you have restored my faith in your omniscience.’

‘I never dreamed that you suspected!’ Hugh took a few quick steps across the room and back again. ‘You’ve hidden it well!’

‘So also have you, my dear.’ Avon resumed his fanning.

‘What was your object in allowing the deception to go on?’

‘What was yours, oh worthy Hugh?’

‘I dreaded lest you should discover the truth! I wanted to take the child away from you.’

His Grace smiled slowly, eyes nearly shut.

‘The fan expresses my emotions. I must kiss March’s hands and feet. Metaphorically speaking.’ He waved the fan gently to and fro.

Davenant glared at him for a moment, annoyed at his nonchalance. Then an unwilling laugh broke from him.

‘Justin, pray put that fan away! If you know that Léon is a girl what will you do? I beg that you will give her to me –’

‘My dear Hugh! Bethink you, you are but thirty-five – quite a child still. It would be most improper. Now, I – I am over forty. A veteran, and therefore harmless.’