He was making his excuses early before he found it impossible to stand any more of his aunt’s conversation as she was trying to impress him with Edith’s background – it was all quite unnecessary and exceedingly boring.
The Marquis knew of old how her mind worked. She was steadily getting round to the right moment when she would ask him face to face if he would marry Edith.
The answer was a guaranteed ‘no!’ but he found it easier to run away.
“We will have tea ready in the drawing room later,” Lady Matilda called out as he reached the door.
“If I am late, don’t wait for me,” he answered and went out before she could reply.
He ran down the steps and up towards the stables knowing that the Head Groom would be expecting him.
His horses were looking fine and better than when he had last
