“I know,” the Marquis agreed, “and I am already planning how I can bring in new ideas and new inventions and, of course, more labourers.”
He was still talking about farming as they walked towards the dining room after Dawes had announced dinner in his best stentorian voice.
It was obvious to Erlina that the subject of farming bored Oliver Mell.
However, she thought it was clever of the Marquis to pick a subject that involved the future.
She was sure that this would convince his cousin that he had no suspicion of what might happen to him in the immediate present.
Lady Isabel was naturally determined to turn the conversation round to herself.
She began in her usual manner to flirt with the Marquis, ignoring everybody else at the table.
“And what have you been doing with your beautiful
