The Quiet Gentleman

When the Earl heard of these plans, he showed how well-aware he was of having been kept under protective surveillance by laughing, and asking, at his most demure, if Theo thought that he would be safe without him. He was playing chess with Miss Morville, in the library, when Theo informed him what his movements would be, and he did not scruple to add: “I go on very well with Martin, and shall go on better still when I have no watch-dog. I am much obliged to you, Theo, but I fancy your care of me has not gone unobserved, and has done little to endear me to Martin. It is your move, Miss Morville.”

“I know it, but I think you have laid a trap for me,” she responded, frowning at the board. “I have noticed, my lord, that whenever you make what seems to me to be a careless move I immediately find myself in difficulties.”

“What an unhandsome fellow!” said Theo, smiling. “I had not thought him capable of duplicity!”

“Strategy, not duplicity, Theo!”

“I stand corrected. I wish my own efforts in strategy equalled yours, but they seem to be sadly deficient in subtlety. You are right, Gervase: I have been taken to task by Martin for having accompanied you both on your various expeditions, and will mend my ways.”

“Yes, pray do so: I don’t need a bodyguard. But must you go to Evesleigh? Can your business there not be done from Stanyon? It is only ten miles distant, is it not?”

“A little more than that. I find it is always better if I spend a day or two on the premises. The question is whether, this year, I should go to Studham. I must ask Martin if he wishes it.”

“Ask Martin if he wishes what?” demanded Martin, who had entered the room in time to overhear this.

“Studham. Do you mean to be your own agent, or shall I act for you?”

“Lord, I’d forgotten that! I wouldn’t above half mind managing the place myself, if it were mine!”

Theo looked amused. “If it were not for one circumstance, I should suggest that you accompany me there,” he said. “As it is, if you go, you go alone! I shall not readily forget your last encounter with its present occupant.”

“Is it possible that Martin does not care for Aunt Dorothea?” asked the Earl, moving one of his knights to protect a threatened pawn.

Martin grinned, but it was Theo who answered: “It is a case of mutual dislike. It has been my unhappy fate to act as mediator in several skirmishes, and it is my firm resolve not to be present at their Waterloo!”

“I’ll tell you what, St. Erth!” said Martin. “You should go to Studham with Theo!”

“I can perceive not the smallest reason why I should do anything of the sort.”

“To pay your respects to my aunt, of course! If you will invite her to live here, dash it, I will go and live at Studham!”

“Thank you, Martin, I prefer your company to Aunt Dorothea’s.”

“Why, how is this? I had thought you liked her! You threatened to bring her here, didn’t you?”

“There was really no danger of my doing so, however.”

“What a hand you are! I must say, I wish my father had not allowed her to settle at, Studham, for she is bound to live for ever, only to spite me.”

“You had better give her notice to leave.”

“Well, I would, but the thing is that I don’t know that it would suit me to live there myself,” said Martin ingenuously. “To be at such a distance from Quorndon Hall! I don’t know how I should go on.” He paused, and added: “Of course, if you would like to be rid of me — ”

“No, not at all. Check, Miss Morville!”

“Black must resign, I believe. You will chase my King all over the board.”

“Where is Ulverston?” asked Martin abruptly.

“I fancy he has ridden out.”

“Oh!” The lowering expression descended on to Martin’s brow. “How long does he mean to remain at Stanyon?”

“I have no idea.”

“I thought he meant only to stay for a day or two,” Martin muttered.

The Earl made no reply. Theo said: “Well, if I am to do your business for you, Martin, it will be well if I have your instructions. Are you at liberty? Come to my room!”

“Oh, you will manage better than I should, I daresay!” Martin said, shrugging, but following him to the door. “But I wish you will look into what that stupid fellow Mugginton is about! How my father came to appoint such a sap-head as bailiff I don’t know! Why, the last time I was there, he was talking of putting the Long Acre down to wheat! Now, Theo, you know — ”

The closing of the door cut off the end of this sentence. Miss Morville said, as she restored the chessmen to their box: “It is a pity that he and Lady Cinderford cannot agree, for he needs occupation, and nothing would suit him so well as to be managing an estate. I believe he knows as well what should be done as your bailiff does.”

“I fancy he will never live at Studham. It is extremely profitable, however, so if he chooses to do so he may buy himself a house in Leicestershire.”

She considered this, but shook her head. “I think he would not be happy there. I daresay you may not have talked with him very much, or he might be shy of confiding in you, but his thoughts are bound up in Stanyon. He loves it, you know.”