Part 81 (1/2)
”I thought you were much struck by Lady Bolt,” Polly said, suppressing a giggle.
”I remember that you admired her exceedingly and were most cast down when she favoured Gars ton over you! You do not sound so complimentary now!”
Peter shot his sister a darkling look.
”Dashed improper of you to say so, Poll, though you may be right!” He grinned suddenly.
”The truth is the woman's a dishonest dory! And anyway, I couldn't afford her!”
Polly, enchanted by this graphically unflattering description of Lady Bolt, nevertheless tried to get back to matters which were more important.
”But what do you intend to do about Hetty?” she asked demurely.
”This news of a betrothal may all be a hum, Peter, and you do still care about Hetty, don't you?”
”Of course I do,” Peter said crossly.
”The silly chit is supposed to be marrying me, not Edmund Grantley! I tell you. Poll, it goes against the grain with me to sit here and do nothing, but what can I do? Can't rush to Kings mar ton and call the fellow out, can I?”
”At least you could go to Kings mar ton and find out what is going on,”
Polly suggested hopefully.
Her brother looked unconvinced.
”Suppose I'd better go and beard Nick in his lair before I decide what else to do,” he said glumly.
”He's bound to cut up rough at me losing so heavily to Weller den.
Still, I'm not the only pigeon his lords.h.i.+p is intent on plucking! I heard that March night was due to arrive in a couple of days' time and you know what a gamester he is! Lady Bolt was aux anges to hear that he was joining them!”
”Lord Henry?” Polly was amazed and, she discovered, annoyed.
”But he has been here in Wood bridge these four days past! He has just been here now!”
”Well, he's expected at Weller den's place shortly,” Peter a.s.serted incontrovertibly.
”Heard about it from Weller den himself! Like I said.
Lady Bolt is waiting for him in an agony of impatience! She don't let her bed go cold! ” And with this final, scandalous sally he strolled off to Sea grave's book room, unaware of the variety of emotions, all of them unpleasant, which he had aroused in his sister's breast.
Peter stayed only a day at Dilling ham, much to his mother's dismay.
He had an uncomfortable interview with his elder brother, emerging silent and tightlipped from Sea grave's room after half an hour.
The next morning Peter left for Kings mar ton at first light.
”I do hope that matters will sort themselves out,” Lucille sighed, sitting with her sister-in-law under a huge tented pavilion which had been erected on Dilling ham Court's green lawns.
”Perhaps I was wrong to encourage Hetty to accept Peter last year. She is very young, after all, and marriage is a very serious business. She has shown a sad unsteadiness of character these months past--' ” So has Peter,”
Polly said frankly.