He was a little ashamed at having deceived her, but it would excuse his remaining here longer if he were thought not as fit as he actually was. For a moment, his legs seemed disinclined to obey him, but he put the trifling annoyance aside as he saw Caroline – as he had expected – return to the stable block. He leant against the window frame watching her wide, knowledgeable gestures as she conversed with her brother and the head groom. Women managing their own affairs … Yes, he could see her running a small household: weighing up whether she could afford a parlourmaid, knowing when the butcher was robbing her. But why would she want to do that on a slender income when she could have the same freedom inside a marriage? A husband would expect his wife to order all the daily business of a house. It was the way of the world – men paid and women arranged. Where was the difference? Would you wish to be shackled for life to someone you dislike?
