‘Now that the family has bullied and brow-beaten poor Raif into selling-out, do you not think that the neighbourhood will benefit from such a fine accession to the ranks of its bachelors?’ Charles threw a mischievous look over Miss Henrietta’s charming bonnet. Raif was wearing his oak face again. ‘I intend to keep Raif company as much as I can.’ Charles’s dark eyes contemplated the works in progress with a satisfied air, his brain clearly teeming with new possibilities. ‘This project will amuse me for many a month.’
Jarrett eyed him with sardonic affection and sighed.
‘Now, Miss Henrietta,’ the Marquess confided, ‘Raif always made out he was a wanderer by birth. But do you know, I begin to see quite a settled look about our Mr Jarrett.’