Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer Page A

His birth was respectable but from all I can discover he was not quite the thing. But he is dead, after all, and his sins are not to be visited upon Deb There is also a brother. I have not met him yet, but there is talk of his getting leave: he is stationed somewhere in the south. He is a military man too, and was at Harrow, so you see there is nothing to take exception to there.’ He paused, waiting for his cousin to make some comment. Ravenscar, however, said nothing. His lordship drew a breath. ‘And now that I have explained it to you, Max, I wish—that is, I should be very much obliged to you if you would speak to my mother I’
    ‘I?’ said Ravenscar. ‘What would you have me say to her?’
    ‘Well, I thought you could make her understand that it is not such a bad match after all!’
    ‘No, I don’t think I could do that,’ replied Ravenscar. ‘I doubt if anyone could.’
    ‘But, Max—’
    ‘I should wait until I had come of age, if I were you.’
    ‘But if Mama could only be brought to consent, I should not have to wait! And there is that fellow, Ormskirk, to be thought of! I want Mama to give her consent, so that Deb need have no scruples. Then the engagement could be announced, and I daresay there would be no trouble about advancing me some of my fortune.’
    ‘Impossible!’
    ‘But, Max, if you and Uncle Julius both agreed to it—’
    ‘What makes you think that we should?’
    ‘But I have explained it all to you!’ said his lordship impatiently.
    Mr Ravenscar got up, and stretched his long limbs. ‘Wait until you are of age,’ he said. ‘You may then do as you please.’
    ‘I did not think you would behave so shabbily!’ exclaimed Adrian.
    Ravenscar smiled. ‘But surely you know that I am abominably close-fisted?’
    ‘It is not your money,’ Adrian muttered. ‘I suppose the truth is that you are as bad as Mama, and don’t wish me to marry Deb!’
    ‘I won’t conceal from you that I am not enthusiastic over the match. You had better approach your Uncle Julius.’
    ‘You know very well he is as bad as Mama! I made sure you would help me to talk Mama over! I have always depended upon you! I did not think you would fail me in the most important thing in my life!’
    Ravenscar walked round the table, and dropped a hand on to Adrian’s shoulder, gripping it for an instant. ‘Believe me, I don’t mean to fail you,’ he said. ‘But you must wait! Now I am going to exercise those greys of mine. Come with me!’
    It spoke volumes for the love-sick state of Adrian’s mind that he shook his head, saying disconsolately: ‘No, I think I won’t. I have no heart for it now. I must be going. If you knew Deb better you would soon change your mind!’
    ‘Then you must hope for a closer acquaintanceship between us,’ said Ravenscar, moving to the fireplace, and jerking the bell-pull beside it.
    Adrian rose. ‘Anyway, I shall marry her!’ he said defiantly.
    Ravenscar accompanied him out into the hall. ‘By all means, if you are still of the same mind in two months’ time,’ he agreed. ‘My compliments to my aunt, by the way.’
    ‘I don’t suppose I shall tell her that I have been with you,’ replied Adrian, sounding much like a thwarted schoolboy.
    ‘That will teach me a lesson,’ said his cousin.
    Adrian was never sulky for many minutes at a time. A reluctant grin put his scowl to flight. ‘Oh, damn you, Max!’ he said, and departed.
    Mr Ravenscar returned to his breakfast-parlour, and stood for a moment or two, leaning his arm on the mantelpiece, and looking fixedly out of the window. His thoughts were not kindly towards Miss Grantham, and as they dwelled upon her his expression grew a little ugly. Very clever of the wench to set the convenient Mr Kennet to tell her pathetic story to Adrian! So she would not have him announce his betrothal to her until he came of age? Well, that was clever too, but not quite clever enough. Miss Grantham should have the honour of trying a fall