‘Yes, Plato.’ Did he think her female mind too feeble to understand philosophy?

Returning the book to the arm of the chair, Captain Mandeville slipped a silver case from his breast pocket and took out a cigarette. He offered the case to Lou, but she shook her head. ‘I’m afraid Shakespeare’s about my limit before lunch,’ he said, gripping the cigarette between his teeth, patting his pockets. ‘The odd sonnet or two, nothing quite as taxing as Latin philosophy.’

‘Greek,’ Lou said, taking great pleasure in correcting him.

‘Ah, yes, of course, Greek. “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” Wasn’t that Plato?’

‘Yes,’ she said gloomily. He was teasing her again.

Captain Mandeville lit his cigarette and dropped the match into an ashtray on the table. He stared at her, his lips formed into a wry grin. ‘If you don’t mind my saying, you don’t seem quite so … effervescent this morning.’

Effervescent? What did he mean by that?

‘If you’re at all worried about your debate with my father last night, you needn’t be. He enjoys the sport of wordplay. To him people are targets or team-mates, he uses words to attack and parry –’

‘Before delivering the killer blow.’

Captain Mandeville laughed. ‘Quite.’ He drew deeply on his cigarette.

As much as she believed in everything she had said the previous evening, Lou still felt the need to clear the air. ‘I hope I didn’t offend Sir Charles.’

‘Good God, no!’ Captain Mandeville laughed again. ‘Father is never happier than in the midst of a rip-roaring debate. You should see him go to work on the opposition across the floor of the House.’ He tapped the ash from his cigarette. ‘And the truth is that he’s on your side. When the vote for universal suffrage comes, he’ll pin his true colours to the mast. There are plenty of Tory heiresses hereabouts expecting him to do the right thing by them. Father would never risk losing his seat. Or the good lunches they provide him with when he’s in the county.’ He smiled.

Was he attempting to put her at ease? Possibly, but she was more interested in picking up the thread of his suggestion. ‘You think there will be a vote?’

‘You certainly seemed sure of it last night.’ He pinched a stray strand of tobacco from his tongue, and she noticed his right eyebrow lift slightly.

‘Oh … yes.’

‘Father respects people who speak up and have the courage of their convictions. As do I. Right!’ He stubbed out his cigarette and got to his feet. ‘If you’re ready, we’ll start the guided tour.’

‘The what?’

‘You want to see all the nooks and crannies of Hill House, don’t you?’

Lou looked him up and down. He didn’t appear to be playing a trick on her. Even so, she could recall enough of his teasing to have second thoughts about wanting to go anywhere with him. But a behind the scenes tour of Hill House … “I wouldn’t want to disturb your plans for the day.’