The Quiet Gentleman

Martin flushed hotly. ‘That was an accident!’

‘No accident that you did not get out of distance when you saw that the button was off your foil.’

‘If you mean to throw it up at me for ever that I lost my temper – Besides, he is a much more skilful fencer than I am! I could never have touched him!’

‘I beg your pardon! I had no thought of throwing it up at you, until you began on this nonsense. You had better put it out of your head. You will not be burdened with my presence for a while: I am off to Evesleigh, and then to Maplefield, in a day or two.’

When the Earl heard of these plans, he showed how well-aware he was of having been kept under protective surveillance by laughing, and asking, at his most demure, if Theo thought that he would be safe without him. He was playing chess with Miss Morville, in the library, when Theo informed him what his movements would be, and he did not scruple to add: ‘I go on very well with Martin, and shall go on better still when I have no watch-dog. I am much obliged to you, Theo, but I fancy your care of me has not gone unobserved, and has done little to endear me to Martin. It is your move, Miss Morville.’

‘I know it, but I think you have laid a trap for me,’ she responded, frowning at the board. ‘I have noticed, my lord, that whenever you make what seems to me to be a careless move I immediately find myself in difficulties.’

‘What an unhandsome fellow!’ said Theo, smiling. ‘

I had not thought him capable of duplicity!’

‘Strategy, not duplicity, Theo!’

‘I stand corrected. I wish my own efforts in strategy equalled yours, but they seem to be sadly deficient in subtlety. You are right, Gervase: I have been taken to task by Martin for having accompanied you both on your various expeditions, and will mend my ways.’

‘Yes, pray do so: I don’t need a bodyguard. But must you go to Evesleigh? Can your business there not be done from Stanyon? It is only ten miles distant, is it not?’

‘A little more than that. I find it is always better if I spend a day or two on the premises. The question is whether, this year, I should go to Studham. I must ask Martin if he wishes it.’

‘Ask Martin if he wishes what?’ demanded Martin, who had entered the room in time to overhear this.

‘Studham. Do you mean to be your own agent, or shall I act for you?’

‘Lord, I’d forgotten that! I wouldn’t above half mind managing the place myself, if it were mine!’

Theo looked amused. ‘If it were not for one circumstance, I should suggest that you accompany me there,’ he said. ‘As it is, if you go, you go alone! I shall not readily forget your last encounter with its present occupant.’

‘Is it possible that Martin does not care for Aunt Dorothea?’ asked the Earl, moving one of his knights to protect a threatened pawn.

Martin grinned, but it was Theo who answered: ‘It is a case of mutual dislike. It has been my unhappy fate to act as mediator in several skirmishes, and it is my firm resolve not to be present at their Waterloo!’

‘I’ll tell you what, St Erth!’ said Martin. ‘You should go to Studham with Theo!’

‘I can perceive not the smallest reason why I should do anything of the sort.’

‘To pay your respects to my aunt, of course! If you will invite her to live here, dash it, I will go and live at Studham!’

‘Thank you, Martin, I prefer your company to Aunt Dorothea’s.’

‘Why, how is this? I had thought you liked her! You threatened to bring her here, didn’t you?’

‘There was really no danger of my doing so, however.’

‘What a hand you are! I must say, I wish my father had not allowed her to settle at Studham, for she is bound to live for ever, only to spite me.’

‘You had better give her notice to leave.’

‘Well, I would, but the thing is that I don’t know that it would suit me to live there myself,’ said Martin ingenuously. ‘To be at such a distance from Quorndon Hall! I don’t know how I should go on.’ He paused, and added: ‘Of course, if you would like to be rid of me –’

‘No, not at all. Check, Miss Morville!’

‘Black must resign, I believe. You will chase my King all over the board.’

‘Where is Ulverston?’ asked Martin abruptly.