Page 148 of A Much Maligned Miss

“It has not even been born yet!”

“No? Well, when it is, I’m sure it will be just as tiresome as they are!”

“It was not about anything calamitous,” she said soothingly. “Instead, she was telling me that she had received a letter from Cynthia Jarrow. Apparently, Cynthia married an explorer and they are currently doing a tour of the British Isles. Her husband gives lectures on his discoveries.”

“Sounds tedious in the extreme,” Gervaise muttered.

“Well, anyway, they are currently in London and were the guests of a Sir Walter someone or other and who do you suppose was also at their reception dinner party?”

“I think I can hazard a guess,” Gervaise said dryly. “Our good friend Lady Sharpe? She gets everywhere.”

“Precisely. Apparently, Cynthia heard all about my dramatic escape from death and is simply desperate to get in touch with me.”

“Probably angling for an invite down here,” Gervaise remarked. “So her ghastly husband can bore all of Cornwall with his lectures. Mind you…” He twisted about to look up at her. “The idea might not be without merit.”

Caroline eyed him suspiciously. “You are just looking for a new target for your wrath!” she gasped accusingly.

“Why not? You have made me forgive everyone else.”

“Not true. You are still very cutting to Edgar and Diana, and downright rude to Mrs. Ryland!”

“It is no more than they deserve.”

“I do not even know Cynthia anymore! And she was only young at the time.”

“She was mature enough to be made head girl at your appalling school.”

“Well, I don’t think you can hold that against her.”

“I think you’ll find I can.”

“Did you dislike your own head boy?”

“Oh, on principle,” he replied at once.

“And what was his name?”

“David something or other. I think he was an honorable.”

“And was he?”

“Was he what?”

“Honorable.”

“Oh, not remotely. Neither in word nor in deed. He was in fact a rotten little sneak who spent all his time running to the masters.”

“Well, Cynthia was not like that,” she said firmly.

“I still detest her and you know why.”

“I suspect half the reason you dislike her so much is because I once admired her,” she ventured. “Sometimes I think you should like to be the sole recipient of my admiration.”

“I’m not quite that bad,” he protested. “I let you have Reg, do I not? Despite the fact he is forever dropping and blundering into things like a bull in a china shop.” Reg’s appointment as their most senior manservant had not been without incident. Several of them.

“You like Reg just as much as I do,” Caroline retorted.

“Maybe so,” he conceded. “But I also encourage you to consort with Effie and Violet, do I not? Despite the fact they are forever dragging you to most unsuitable establishments whenever we are in London.”