A Companion in Joy by Dorothy Mack

Author:Dorothy Mack [Mack, Dorothy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781913335540
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2019-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

At eight thirty that evening, Lord Langston banged the knocker on the freshly painted door to his sister’s new home. He explained to the butler that he had not come to call on the viscount and his bride but only to retrieve his quizzing glass, which he had left on the premises the previous day.

“Lady Torvil requests that you step upstairs to her sitting room, sir,” replied Mudgrave smoothly.

“Oh, no need of that. I wouldn’t dream of disturbing them, so I asked my sister to set aside the glass so that I might collect it tonight.”

“I understand, sir, but my lady most particularly desired me to extend the invitation. She has your property in her possession.”

Perforce, Roger allowed himself to be conducted upstairs. Kate was sitting turning the pages of a magazine when Mudgrave announced him, but she cast it aside the instant the butler departed and jumped to her feet.

“Oh, Roger, I am so glad to see you!”

Her brother frowned at this fervent welcome. “Can’t see why, you saw enough of me earlier in the day,” he pointed out. “I should think Torvil would be enough company for you tonight.” He glanced around the cosy room that was rather dimly lit by three branches of candles on various tables.

“I don’t see Torvil,” he announced unnecessarily. “Don’t see my quizzing glass either.”

“That’s just the point. He isn’t here. He has gone out,” Kate stated, giving the words great dramatic emphasis.

“Gone out with my glass? Why would he do that, doesn’t he have one of his own? Or was he intending to return it to me? Very good of him, but he needn’t have bothered. Said I’d come around to collect it.”

“Stupid!” Kate declared, impatient with his slow wittedness. “Of course he hasn’t taken your stupid glass; it’s in my bedchamber. Torvil has gone out,” she repeated, “on our wedding night. I had ordered dinner to be served here, and he refused to dine with me.”

Roger looked acutely uncomfortable. “Maybe he had a previous engagement he had forgotten to cancel. Not good form to ignore appointments, you know.”

Kate accorded this feeble offering the contempt it merited.

“On his wedding day?” She stopped the nervous pacing she had begun when her brother entered and peered up at him with sudden suspicion. “Have you been drinking?”

“Nothing to signify.” Lord Langston drew himself up to his full six feet and replied with dignity, “Your wedding reception didn’t end when you left, you know. That’s why I’m so late coming for my glass; had to change.”

“Well, it’s my opinion that you are odiously cast away,” stated Kate roundly. “I’m telling you my husband has deserted me on my wedding night, and all you can think about is a stupid quizzing glass!”

“No, no,” Roger denied, trying to soothe his agitated sister, “the eyeglass don’t matter, and I’m sorry about Torvil. It’s deuced awkward for you, though I understood you did not want him anywhere near your bedroom. Well, never mind that,” as she swelled with indignant denial.

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