It was obvious that he was talked about and he would have been stupid if he had not realised that sooner or later gossip concerning his affaires de coeur would be carried almost on the wind from London to Hampshire. But it usually was a slow process and, by the time Hampshire was discussing some beauty with whom he was said to be infatuated, the whole affair was over and her place had been taken by somebody else.
So, when he was at Ardsley Hall, the Marquis was careful to see that his parties, rather to the surprise of his friends, did nothing to offend the local hierarchy.
In fact, when he invited any of his more raffish contemporaries to stay, he was very careful not to include any of the local people in his dinner parties.
As a result, although they undoubtedly talked and were curiou
