‘There’ll be no speaking to you with such consequence!’ Meggie’s eyes twinkled, then grew flat, anxious. ‘Do you suppose he means it?’ ‘I think he would rather not!’ Harriette replied with disconcerting candour. ‘He only did so at Wallace’s insistence that my reputation would be compromised beyond redemption if he did not. Which just goes to show you can’t trust Wallace. For years he’s been lecturing me that, because of my hard-headedness in consorting with the Gentlemen of the Free Trade, I have no reputation to speak of.’ ‘Of course you have. You should have been married years ago, and would have if your brother would put himself out for you and spend a little money on you. But her ladyship has you in mind as unpaid governess of her spoilt brats as soon as they leave the nursery, you mark my words.’ Which Harriette knew very well. She imagined, dismally, the prospect of teaching her two nephews to mind her and their manners, when their doting mother did nothing but give in to their imperious demands.
