Part 22 (1/2)
Miss Brent gasped. She was unaware that Uncle's wound was the standing joke among all Lady Meyfield's guests.
”Oh! I'm gettin' on, thank you,” said Uncle cheerfully. ”Mustn't complain.”
”Isn't he a darling?” The girl addressed herself to Miss Brent, who merely stared.
”Do you refer to Uncle or to me?” enquired Elton.
”Why both, of course; but--” she paused and, s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up her piquante little face in thought she added, ”but I think Uncle's the darlinger though, don't you?”
Again she challenged Miss Brent.
”Good job my missis can't 'ear 'er,” was Uncle's comment to Elton.
”There, you see!” cried the girl gaily, ”Uncle talks about his wife when I make love to him, and as for G.o.ddy,” she turned and regarded Elton with a quizzical expression, ”he treats my pa.s.sion with a look that clearly says prunes and prisms.”
Miss Brent's head was beginning to whirl. Somewhere at the back of her mind was the unuttered thought, What would Little Milstead think of such conversation? She was brought back to Lady Meyfield's drawing-room by hearing the brunette once more addressing her.
”They're the two most interesting men in the room. I call them the Dove and the Serpent. Uncle has the guilelessness of the dove, whilst G.o.dfrey has all the wisdom of the serpent. The three of us together would make a most perfect Garden of Eden. Wouldn't we, G.o.ddy?”
”You are getting a little confused, Peggy,” said Elton. ”This is not a fancy dress----”
”Stop him, someone!” cried the brunette, ”he's going to say something naughty.”
Elton smiled, Miss Brent continued to stare, whilst Uncle with a grin of admiration cried:
”Lor', don't she run on!”
”Now come along, Uncle!” cried the girl. ”I've found some topping chocolates, a new kind. They're priceless,” and she dragged Uncle off to the end of the table.
”Who was that?” demanded Miss Brent of Elton, disapproval in her look and tone.
”Lady Peggy Bristowe,” replied Elton.
Miss Brent was impressed. The Bristowes traced their ancestry so far back as to make William the Norman's satellites look almost upstarts.
”She is a little overpowering at first, isn't she?” remarked Elton, smiling in spite of himself at the conflicting emotions depicted upon Miss Brent's face; but Lady Peggy gave her no time to reply. She was back again like a shaft of April suns.h.i.+ne.
”Here, open your mouth, G.o.ddy,” she cried, ”they're delicious.”
Elton did as he was bid, and Lady Peggy popped a chocolate in, then wiping her finger and thumb daintily upon a ridiculously small piece of cambric, she stood in front of Elton awaiting his verdict.
”Like it?” she demanded, her head on one side like a bird, and her whole attention concentrated upon Elton.
”Apart from a suggestion of furniture polish,” began Elton, ”it is----”
”Hun!” cried Lady Peggy as she whisked over to where she had left Uncle.
”Lady Peggy is rather spoiled,” said Elton to Miss Brent. ”I fear she trades upon having the prettiest ankles in London.”