Leisurely the Duke divested himself of his greatcoat, and shook out his ruffles.
‘But shall we not repair to the withdrawing-room?’ he suggested. ‘You are saying, I think, that you came to my cousin’s assistance?’ He led the way to the withdrawing-room, and bowed them in. Madam Field, seeing him, gave a shriek, and fell back upon her cushions.
‘Oh, mercy, ’tis Justin!’ she cried.
Jennifer went to her.
‘Hush, madam! Calm yourself !’
‘You appear to be strangely afflicted, cousin,’ remarked his Grace.
‘Oh Justin – oh cousin! I have no notion! So innocent they seemed! I can scarce believe –’
‘Innocent! Of course they were!’ snorted Merivale. ‘Have done with this elopement foolery! It’s mere child’s talk!’
‘Oh Anthony, do you think so indeed?’ said Jennifer thankfully.
‘I do not wish to seem importunate,’ said the Duke, ‘but I should like an explanation. Where, may I ask, is my ward?’
‘That,’ said Merivale, ‘is the very root of the matter.’
The Duke stood very still.
‘Indeed!’ he said softly. ‘Pray continue. Cousin, I must request you to cease your lamentations.’
Madam’s noisy sobs abated. She clutched Jennifer’s hand and sniffed dolefully.
‘I know nothing more than this,’ said Merivale. ‘She and Rupert have been absent since eleven of the clock this morning.’
‘Rupert?’ said his Grace.
‘I should have told you that Rupert has been staying with us these past three weeks.’
‘You amaze me,’ said Avon. His eyes were as hard as agates. He turned, and put his snuff-box down on the table. ‘The mystery would seem to be solved,’ he said evenly.
‘Sir!’ It was Jennifer who spoke. His Grace looked at her indifferently. ‘If you are thinking that – that they have eloped, I am sure – oh, I am sure that ’tis not so! Such a notion was never in either of their heads!’
‘So?’ Avon looked from one to the other. ‘Pray enlighten me!’
Merivale shook his head.
‘Faith, I cannot. But I would stake mine honour that there’s been no thought of love between them. They are the veriest children and even now I suspect they may be playing a trick on us. More than that –’ He paused.
‘Yes?’ said Avon.
Jennifer broke in.
‘Sir, the child can talk of no one but yourself !’ she said impetuously. ‘You have all her – her adoration!’
‘So I thought,’ answered Avon. ‘But one may be mistaken. I believe there is a saying that youth will to youth.’
‘It’s no such thing,’ Merivale averred. ‘Why, they are for ever quarrelling! Moreover they have taken no horses. Mayhap they are hiding somewhere to frighten us.’
A footman came to them.
‘Well?’ Avon spoke without turning his head.
‘Mr Manvers, your Grace, who desires speech with my Lord Rupert.’