These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 1)

‘Everyone, Hugh, I give you my word! ’Pon rep, I have worked over this ball!’

‘Ay, and made the house a veritable wasps’ nest,’ grumbled Rupert. ‘How are you, Hugh?’

‘The same as ever, Rupert. And you?’

‘Well enough,’ Rupert said. ‘We’re all of us reformed, as you see. Never was there such a united family, and all of us so amiable one to the other – God knows how long ’twill last!’

Davenant laughed across the table at Marling.

‘I learn that I am to bear you company in this disreputable establishment, Marling!’

‘We are invited to supply a note of sobriety,’ nodded Marling. ‘It was Léonie’s notion. How did you leave your brother?’

‘As long as you did leave him, Hugh, I’m satisfied,’ grimaced Rupert.

‘Ah yes!’ said his Grace. ‘The deplorable Frederick! How does he?’

‘Oh, there never was a man so tedious as Colehatch!’ cried my lady. ‘Only fancy, Hugh, he loved me once! The great Lord Colehatch. La! I should be honoured!’

‘He is just as deplorable as ever, I fear,’ Hugh replied. ‘He was not pleased to hear that I intended to visit this house again.’

‘Lord, did he want you, Fan?’ exclaimed Rupert. ‘Well, I always knew the man was a fool.’

‘I thank you, my lord!’ Davenant made him a mock bow. ‘You are all of you vastly complimentary towards my respected brother.’

‘Oh, and to me!’ said my lady. ‘Horrid boy! Do you remember that Colehatch wanted me, Justin?’

‘My memory fails me when I try to disentangle your suitors, my dear. Was he the one who demanded you of me with a pistol to my head, as it were? No, I believe that was Fonteroy. Colehatch, I think, wrote me a correct application for your hand which I still cherish. He said that he was willing to overlook such trifling faults in you, my dear, as your levity and your extravagance.’

‘Fanny, I make you my apologies on his behalf !’ laughed Hugh.

Marling helped himself to a peach.

‘What an ardent lover!’ he remarked. ‘I hope I did not say that I would overlook your faults?’

‘Dearest Edward, you said that you adored me from my heels to my topmost curl!’ sighed her ladyship. ‘Lud, what days they were! Cumming – dear soul – fought John Drew because he disparaged my eyebrows, and Vane – do you remember Vane, Justin? – wanted to fly with me!’

Léonie was greatly interested.

‘And did you?’ she inquired.

‘La, child, what will you ask next? He had not a penny, poor darling, and was mad into the bargain.’

‘I should like people to fight over me,’ Léonie said. ‘With swords.’

Davenant was amused.

‘Would you, Léon – Léonie!’

‘But yes, m’sieur! It would be so exciting. Did you see them fight, madame?’

‘Good gracious no, child! Of course I did not. One never does.’

‘Oh!’ Léonie was disappointed. ‘I thought you watched.’

Davenant looked at the Duke.

‘The lady would appear to have a taste for bloodshed,’ he remarked.