‘A wedding in France? Whose wedding?’

‘I don’t know, sir, someone he met at Maud Berrow’s come-out recently.’

‘Very sudden decision,’ said Sir Philip suspiciously. ‘He hasn’t even taken Parker with him.’ He gave Justin a wry smile. ‘You mentioned young Mary’s situation, I suppose.’ It wasn’t a question and Justin didn’t treat it as such.

‘Yes, sir, I thought he should be given a chance to defend himself.’

‘And did he?’

‘Not exactly, sir.’ Justin hesitated.

‘Well, come on, spit it out,’ said his father irritably. ‘What did he say?’

‘He said he wasn’t really surprised to hear of her present condition, and as far as he knew there could be several possible fathers.’

‘Did he indeed?’ grunted Sir Philip. ‘What were his exact words?’

‘His exact words? I think he said something like, “puts herself about a bit, does young Mary”.’

Sir Philip grimaced at the vulgarity. ‘I see. Better not to pursue that any further, I think. I just wanted to know when he might be back here at home. At present neither your mother nor your sister knows anything about Dawson’s accusations about Rupert, and I would prefer it stayed that way, but it won’t be long before Mary’s situation becomes obvious, and I may have to deal with Dawson if he becomes difficult.’

‘Surely, sir,’ Justin said, ‘it is not in his own interest to maintain this story.’

He looked across the desk at his father seated behind it and suddenly thought, The old man is getting older.

Though never a large man, Philip Chalfont had a certain presence that made one prefer to remain on the right side of him. He still had a full head of hair, though there were definite strands of silver in its darkness, and his eyes, deep-set and dark as those he had passed on to his younger son, had always been compelling. They narrowed now as he considered the question of Mary Dawson.

‘It certainly won’t be if he does,’ he agreed. Then, changing the subject, he said, ‘Enough of all that. What about you, Justin? Isn’t it time you engaged yourself to marry Katharine Blake?’

Justin’s expression hardened. ‘I know that is what you and my mother wish,’ he began.

‘And Katharine herself, I would think,’ put in his father.

‘Kitty and I are extremely good friends, sir, but that is very different from being married.’

‘There’d be nothing wrong with being married to that girl,’ said Sir Philip briskly. ‘It would be a perfect match for both of you and friendship is the ideal basis for marriage – not to mention that as her father has no male heir, the estate will come to Katharine on his death. Much of it marches with our own land and will make a great inheritance for your son.’

‘I understand what you are thinking, sir,’ replied Justin evenly, ‘but I do think an inheritance for any children I might have is a long way into the future.’

‘Well, in such matters one must think ahead,’ said his father. ‘One can never tell what fate has waiting for us around the corner.’ He got to his feet. ‘It isn’t as if you’ve got anyone else in mind, is it?’ It was a rhetorical question and he didn’t wait for an answer but went on, ‘Now I must go to the estate office and have a word with Foxton before I join you all for luncheon.’ With that he went out of the room, leaving his son and heir to follow him outside.