Page 48 of Henrietta

‘Didn’t know you knew about ploughs, Hargan!’ Timothy remarked, regarding his friend with a scandalised eye.

‘I shall discuss this with Holland at once,’ Arthur told Hetty in an undertone, as Timothy accused a blushing Hargan of hiding his light under a bushel. ‘He and Thimbleby will arrive soon. Would you like to join us?’

The invitation was a sudden impulse, but not one he regretted. It might not be usually done, but who cared a fig for that?

Hetty’s eyes widened. ‘I should be delighted.’

Her racing thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the door, and the appearance of the footman, who announced the arrival of the Marquis de Nicolet and Mademoiselle de Nicolet.

Hetty was slow to react. Trixie, however, was not, clapping her hands in glee. ‘Oh Hetty, he’s here.’

‘Do send him up directly,’ Lady Allerton instructed, hands fluttering in excitement.

‘At least keep him waiting,’ Trixie begged. ‘Or even send him away! Gentlemen adore such treatment.’

‘Not sure that’s true,’ Timothy muttered from the corner of the room. ‘Prefer it when you’re nice, y’know.’

‘Oh, Timothy, what would you know of the matter,’ Trixie said impatiently.

‘Dash it, I’m a gentleman, aren’t I?’

‘Hetty …’ Trixie tripped across the room to sit next to Hetty, pressing her hand. ‘Would you mind if I flirted with him, just a little? I wouldn’t mean anything by it, of course – just curiosity!’

‘She will mind.’ Timothy was disgusted. ‘Any dolt would know that.’

‘I was not asking you! Hetty?’

‘Mother, tell her!’

‘Trixie, I forbid you from flirting with Hetty’s beau,’ Lady Allerton ordered loudly – and, naturally, it was at this moment that the Marquis and Mademoiselle de Nicolet appeared on the threshold.

‘Good morning.’ By the quivering corner of his mouth, Nicolet had certainly heard at least some of this exchange. ‘I trust we are not imposing?’

Lesser persons would have been mortified; Lady Allerton was made of stronger stuff. ‘Not at all.’ Her face was wreathed in smiles as she ushered them towards the sofa. ‘We are so very delighted to welcome you to our home – pray be seated.’

It was, Arthur felt, a rather excessive welcome. Excitement at Hetty’s new admirer was one matter, but they did not, after all, yet know if he was worthy of it. He had, admittedly, a great deal of address and the sort of easy charm that would make him widely liked, but in Arthur’s opinion that was no proof of good character.

Mr Hargan raised himself rigidly up. ‘I shall – I shall take my leave.’

Mademoiselle de Nicolet dimpled at him. ‘Don’t, pray, do so on our account – I am certain there is enough room upon this sofa for the both of us.’

In the face of Mademoiselle de Nicolet’s extraordinary beauty, which somehow seemed even more noticeable in a morning dress of twilled French silk than it had in her evening gown, Mr Hargan fairly blanched in terror. Murmuring disjointed apologies, he nearly ran from the room, causing Mademoiselle de Nicolet’s brow to wrinkle in confusion, for this was not ordinarily the reaction she inspired in gentleman.

‘His grandmother is not well,’ Trixie told them sagely.

At this, Arthur had to bite back a smile, and looked to catch Hetty’s eye – only to find her already locked in gaze with the Marquis.

‘It is so dear of you to pay us a visit,’ Lady Allerton was saying, ‘for no doubt you have morning calls of your own to accept.’

‘Oh no,’ Mademoiselle de Nicolet demurred.

‘The house has been riddled with the fellows,’ Nicolet told Lady Allerton confidentially. ‘At one moment, squeezed together upon one sofa, we had the Duke of Sussex, a Lord Devereux—’

Trixie narrowed her eyes.

‘—and a Mr Korkit or some such.’

Timothy visibly stiffened. ‘Mr Corcott?’