to shake hands.
Horatio was plainly shocked at the sight of his
cousin. Cary's arm was in a splint, his head was bandaged, and his lean, handsome face was haggard.
Deep violet shadows stood under his gray eyes. But his
sense of humor had not been quenched. "I like the
fungus better and better each time I see it," he told
Horatio with a faint smile. "Perhaps I shall take this
opportunity to grow whiskers too."
Cary was pleased to learn that Juliet was going to
Tanglewood. "I can't bear her clucking over me like
a hen! I'll dictate a letter to you every day, Julie," he
promised. "Do not bother your head about me. If you
were to stay here, you would be bored to sobs."
"I do hate leaving you, Cary, but if I am to be sent
away, I had much rather go to my cousins."
"Look after her, Horatio," Cary said. "Indeed, she
is not the willful hellion you may think! She was
always quite tame before. And, if no other harm
comes to me, I expect she will be a good girl all the
days of her life. Your father needn't worry she will lead
Cynthia astray!"
"No, indeed," Horatio scoffed. "Only I wish she
had called upon me to take your place, Cousin.
Though I very much doubt I should have contrived
to win the race."
"Tell your father I shall visit Tanglewood as soon as
I am able," said Cary. "I know the Manor has been
sadly neglected. I thank you for bringing it to my attention. Somehow, I never think of it, though it is my
mother's birthplace and my grandmamma was kind
enough to leave it to me when she died. I can't think
why she didn't leave it to you."
"Perhaps it is because I was at sea when she died,"
Horatio said with just a hint of reproach. "You are very much looked for at Tanglewood and very much
missed, Cary."
"Yes," Juliet chimed in. "Whenever I go there, the
people talk of nothing else but the absentee landlord.
You must do better, Cary."
Cary chuckled softly. "Very well," he said. "I shall!
There is one favor I should like to ask of you before
you go, Julie. Would you please inform Lady Serena
Calverstock of my condition? Perhaps I flatter myself,
but I believe her ladyship may be worried about me."
Horatio gallantly agreed to stop at Lord Redfylde's
house in Grosvenor Square, where Serena, who was
the sister of Lady Redfylde as well as the cousin of
Stacy Calverstock, resided.
"You do not much care for the lady," Horatio said
as he handed Juliet into the chaise.
"I don't believe she cares a button for my brother,"
Juliet declared. "She is false to her toes."
"But, my dear cousin," he protested, "they are seen
everywhere together! Cary even allows her ladyship
to drive his chestnuts."
Juliet flushed angrily. There had been a time when
she had been the only female allowed to drive her
brother's famous chestnuts, and she could not give
way graciously to the beautiful Serena. "You do not
know her as I do, Cousin," she told him. "You have
been away fighting. You have not seen how coldly she
conducted herself to my brother in the months before
you returned. It was quite sudden that she began to
take notice of him, I assure you, and I don't believe
for an instant she is sincere. Before my brother, she
was equally enchanted by Mr. Alexander Devize! I believe she enjoys having men dangle after her. Why else
would she have had seven Seasons in London but have
accepted no offers?"
"Has she had offers?" Horatio inquired, apparently amused.
"Several," Juliet replied. "No one is rich enough or
high enough for her, it seems. My poor brother was
on the verge of making her an offer, but I convinced
him that Tanglewood Manor is not sufficiently grand
to tempt her! I persuaded him it would be foolish to
ask for her and that it would only cause them both
great embarrassment."
"You did, did you?" Horatio's blue eyes twinkled.
"What an excellent sister you are. Perhaps," he added
with mock seriousness, "you would allow me to deliver
your brother's message to the lady-I cannot be
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