While it was true that his house and grounds were swarming with models, photographers, and various other people whose purpose eluded him, and that his drawing room was liberally draped with clothes and accessories, everything seemed to be going smoothly. No one was bothering him and no one had remarked on the sheep-devastated part of the garden. Mr. Crocks, being only a jobbing gardener, was not there to complain about svelte young women draping themselves over the carefully trimmed hedges or picking the flowers. The models were all extremely attractive and seemed rather careless of how close they were standing to the windows when they changed.On top of it all, young Bethancourt turned out to be a pleasant sort, not at all what Astley-Cooper had expected. He was tall and thin, with shaggy fair hair and horn-rimmed glasses; Astley-Cooper was at a loss to explain his attraction for the glamorous young woman whom he introduced as his girlfriend.Bethancourt claimed to be a chess player and they were presently enjoying an amiable game on the terrace, where they could keep half an eye on both the activity in the garden and the celebrated mullioned and transomed windows of the house.
