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‘Be a country squire, in effect,’ Alex said

‘Nothing wrong with that I’ression was back in his voice and Tess cast around for a neutral topic of conversation

‘I alish countryside I have lived in Ghent for years’ From the hallway came the sound of raised voices and she broke off as the door opened

Lady Moreland ca over her shoulder as she did so ‘John, James, do be careful Moreland, I do think—’

‘I a to eat dinner at my own board and see what this nonsense about that popinjay Alexander co irritably at the two foot to steady him on either side ‘Get off, damn it, I’m not in my coffin yet’ He stopped dead and stared ‘My God, he really is here I thought MatthewAlexander?’

‘Father’ Two syllables Two perfectly civil drops of ice

Tess, her gaze flickering between the men, wondered if Alex was as shocked as his father He had made a barely discernible movement when the earl came in Noas stock-still

It ed the viewer on one hand and stripped years away on the other They were obviously father and son Everything proclaih cheekbones and thin nose Alex had his eyes from his mother, but that was all Lord Moreland had once had the physique to match his son; now the broad shoulders see clothes looked loose, as though he had lost a lot of weight recently His hair was still thick, but faded into grey now, and the heavy eyebroere almost white How old was he? Fifty-five, sixty? He should be in his prime, and he certainly resented its loss as much as he suffered from his symptoms

‘What in the blazes are you doing here, Weybourn?’ Lord Moreland wrenched his ar footman, took two steps and sank down on to the nearest chair

‘I have come to celebrate Christle of Alex’s jaw, but his tone was bland ‘And, naturally, to enquire after your health’

‘Measure me for my coffin, more like How did you hear I’ve had my notice to quit?’

‘A isher wrote to me that you were unwell’

The silence see faint with tension Tess caught the involuntary movement of her hand towards Alex and willed herself to stillness