The Quiet Gentleman

‘My dear Theo, I do not dare even to hesitate! Only think how shocking it would be if Louisa were to come down upon us again!’

‘True! But to send you running about the countryside on such an errand – ! Shall I go in your stead?’

‘No, you are not conciliatory, and althou

gh my mother-in-law by no means desires to conciliate Mrs Neath, she has commanded me to perform this office for my sister.’

‘Humbug! Much you would care for her commands!’

‘Why, the truth is,’ said the Earl, laughing, ‘I have not had my grays out for three days, and I can as well exercise them on a drive to Kentham as anywhere else.’

‘Oh, if that is the case – ! But one might have expected Louisa to apply to Martin rather than to you!’

‘But I thought I had made it plain to you that a conciliatory manner is what is desired?’

‘So you did! Where is Martin?’

‘I have no very exact knowledge. He is going off to West Wood, to try if he can get a shot at a kestrel, and has firmly abjured my company.’

‘Oh, so that holds, does it? He had better leave them alone: they will do little harm!’

‘Very likely, but I do not grudge him the relief of being able to slay something! Chard, we are going to Kentham. Bring my curricle round in half an hour, if you please!’ He looked at his cousin. ‘When do you set forth on your travels, Theo?’

‘As soon as I may. There is a letter from Maplefield I must first deal with, but unless I find another shoe to be loose I hope to be away not much later than four o’clock!’

His groom, wilting visibly, withdrew to the shelter of the harness-room. Gervase murmured: ‘What a harsh taskmaster you are! Driving?’

‘Yes, a gig, with much of your worldly wealth stowed in the back! What hope I have of visiting the farms I had intended to visit, I know not!’

‘Peace! Your unfortunate groom is out of hearing! If you mean to shut yourself up in your tower with letters from Maplefield, I’ll bid you farewell. Do not allow my tenants to impose upon me!’

Theo took his hand, and gripped it, and held it for a minute. ‘I won’t. Gervase –’

‘Well?’

Theo released him. ‘Nothing. Take care of yourself while I am gone!’

‘I always do. Your presence is not needed to keep me safe, I believe.’

‘No. I think you may be right.’

‘I am almost sure I am right.’

‘He has certainly taken it better than I expected – but Ulverston’s presence cannot but keep the wound green!’

‘He leaves us on Monday, and will certainly be engaged at Whissenhurst until then.’

‘That circumstance will hardly serve to mollify Martin!’ said Theo, grimacing.

Half an hour later, the Earl set forth for Kentham, Chard seated beside him in the curricle, with his arms primly folded. This was one of his few concessions to the etiquette governing the conduct to be expected of a private gentleman’s groom, but neither this nor his tall, cockaded hat made him look like anything but a soldier. He had known the Earl throughout his army career, had fought in the same engagements, shared the same discomforts, and was wholly devoted to his interests. He thought it a pity that his master should have sold out, for he had a poor opinion of all but military men (and, indeed, a rather poor opinion of such military men as belonged to any other regiment than his own), but after the first strangeness of riding out in a plain coat, with no accoutrements and no sabre, had worn off he found that he did not dislike his new position. An Earl’s head-groom was a personage of considerable consequence, particularly when his master travelled. He might be sure of the best accommodation for his horses at every inn on the road, and excellent attention for himself. More important, this Earl was a good master, who reposed complete confidence in him, and treated him with the easy familiarity Turvey so much deplored. Thus it was that consideration for the Earl, and not the fear of incurring a chilly set-down, held him silent for the first part of the drive. The grays were fresh, and the country lanes both rough and narrow, so that the Earl’s attention was fully occupied in handling his horses. It was not until they had covered a couple of miles that Chard ventured to distract him by remarking that he should not be surprised if one of Lord Ulverston’s wheelers had a splint forming. Since the Earl knew that Chard and the Viscount’s Clarence, who had been his private groom in France, were old foes, he paid very little heed to this, or to several dark strictures on the customs his lordship allowed to be followed in his stables.

‘Very reprehensible,’ he said. ‘I daresay he washes the mud from the legs of his lordship’s horses, too.’

‘That, me lord, I don’t say,’ replied Chard, severely.

‘How wretched for you that you cannot! What will you do when his lordship leaves Stanyon on Monday? You will be obliged to turn your attention to the iniquities of Mr Martin’s head-groom.’

‘Young Hickling,’ said Chard. ‘No, me lord, I should call him very adecuado – with his horses.’