By the time he had finished speaking, Royden was half way up the stairs and the Earl knew that it would be impossible to stop him.
“Very well,” he now said, “if you must keep your engagements, I will not prevent you from doing so. But I wish to speak to you as soon as you can tear yourself away and come back here. It is very important!”
“I will do my best,” Royden shouted, as he reached the landing. “But I make no false promises, Papa.”
He had disappeared into his room before the Earl could reply.
A little later he heard his voice in the hall and knew he was setting off again to meet some pretty Frenchwoman who certainly was a newcomer to his tally of beauties.
*
It was in fact not until the following day that the Earl had his serious talk with his son.
During which time the whole s
