Chapter Ten
"Peregrine!"
Camilla alighted from the carriage and straight into her brother's arms for a hug. Lucy was not far behind.
"How is Uncle Morris?" Lucy asked.
"Fine," Peregrine replied, hugging her. "It is nothing serious. It was just a fever but you know how wary we are in regards to his past history. However, the doctor assures us that he will be his usual self after a little rest."
"Good," Camilla smiled in relief. "And you are well? And everyone else?"
"Yes, yes," Peregrine replied.
"Can we see Uncle Morris?" Lucy asked.
"If you must," Peregrine replied. "He is in his room. Try not to disturb him!" he called after them as they ran into the house.
Once at the door of their uncle's chamber they saw Frank coming out.
"Is he awake?" Lucy asked eagerly as Camilla hugged their cousin. Although he was smiling he still looked tired and worried.
"He is sat in his chair," Frank replied. "The doctor said this morning he no longer needs to remain bedridden."
"Poor Frank," Lucy kissed his cheek. "I must cheer you up later after I have finished with your father."
Camilla squeezed his hand in comfort and then they entered the room leaving Frank to go on his way.
"Girls!" Captain Morris looked up at their entrance. They were pleased to see that apart from looking a little paler he was not much changed since they had left. "What are you doing back so soon?"
"Peregrine wrote to say you were ill," Camilla replied as she greeted him.
"And we could not relax until we were home to make sure it was nothing serious," Lucy carried on.
"So you are satisfied?" he asked.
Lucy studied him carefully. Apart from looking pale and tired he did not look terribly ill. "Yes," she nodded. "I am now."
"So, you did not need to rush home on my account," he said.
"We wanted to," Camilla told him. "Truth be told we were not enjoying the visit. Lord Treswick is a little too familiar."
Captain Morris smiled. "You are under no obligation to marry him. I will see to that."
Camilla hugged him. "I am going to go find Georgiana. I will see you later. Lucy?"
"I am staying here," she replied. "Uncle Morris needs cheering up." Camilla nodded then left the room.
Camilla found Georgiana alone in the sitting room. Once it was established that Captain Morris was in no danger Lady Annabella had resumed her gallivanting and Peregrine and Frank had tended to any of Captain Morris' business that needed doing. Therefore, Georgiana was currently sat reading and enjoying the brief peace and quiet.
"Georgiana?" Camilla peeped around the door.
"I thought I had heard a carriage," Georgiana smiled and rose to greet her. Camilla hurried across the room and they embraced.
"I have missed you, dear Georgiana," she said.
"How was your visit?" Georgiana asked.
"Oh," Camilla started to say some meaningless comment about the pleasantness of the house and attentiveness of Lady Augusta and then changed her mind. She had often spoken to Georgiana in the past about problems and this was a situation that she really did need an extra confidante. "Actually, it was difficult. Oh Georgiana, the Farleighs have obviously decided that I am ideal candidate to be the future Lady Treswick. It was awful! I had to endure Lord Treswick trying to flatter me and I really cannot stand the man."
Georgiana laughed. "I did wonder. Was it so bad?"
"Not terribly bad because I became quite adept at avoiding him and there were only so many times Lady Augusta could compliment her brother but he still managed to catch me alone," Camilla replied. She glad to be able to unburden her feelings onto someone other than Lucy. "He put his arm around me whilst trying to show me something in the garden. That was at the end of conversation in which he had told me that Peregrine could and would dictate my future husband and I had no choice in the matter." She paused for breath. "Oh, it was all I could do to stop myself from hitting him. Georgiana, dear, he does make my skin crawl!"
"Are you likely to see them again?" Georgiana asked.
"I think so," Camilla replied. "He is determined. Do you really think Peregrine will arrange a marriage between us as Lord Treswick seemed convinced that he will."
"I do not think so," Georgiana told her. Peregrine had always been adamant to her that he would never interfere in his sisters' marriage. "I hope he will not. It would be out of character for him if he did."
"That is what I thought," Camilla sighed. "I could not bear to marry Lord Treswick."
"Then Perry will not make you," Georgiana assured her. Peregrine had learnt from experience by being the product of an unhappy, forced marriage. He had always said that he would take his sisters' feelings into consideration. "I will not let him anyway. What about the rest of your visit. Was that at least enjoyable?"
"Lady Augusta was an excellent hostess. She showed us around the house and the grounds," Camilla replied. "I do not think we will ever be close friends but when she is away from her brother and relaxed then she is not half so overbearing. If Lord Treswick had been absent then it would have been a pleasant stay. Has Kitty been in touch?"
"Not really," Georgiana replied. "There has been nothing apart from her usual little letters of trivia. Why?"
"I was just wondering whether we were to pay her a visit any time soon," Camilla smiled. She hoped it would be a visit that would also involve Mr Blair. She was eager to see him again. She had missed him more than she thought she would. They had started to become intimately acquainted at their last meeting and she was keen to get to know him even more. Underneath the shy exterior she was finding him to be very pleasant.
"Since when has Kitty's house been so interesting?" Georgiana asked. She noticed before that Camilla was forever awaiting an invitation from their friends. "Camilla?"
"Oh, promise me that you will not be angry!" Camilla exclaimed. "I am becoming increasing fond of Mr Blair. I know he is your good friend but I assure you that I will not hurt him at all. I am genuine in my feelings, truly."
Georgiana studied her. "I did wonder. Lucy said something about it ages ago, before Peregrine proposed but I had practically forgotten about it. However, I noticed you were becoming close when I saw you deep in conversation at the Calders."
"So, you are not cross?" she asked.
"Why would I be cross? You are my dear sister and Mr Blair is my dear friend," Georgiana told her. "I think it is wonderful."
"Oh, good!" Camilla exclaimed. "I feared that you would find me too silly for Mr Blair."
"I could never find you too silly for Mr Blair," Georgiana assured her. "You seem to be good for him judging by how relaxed he was at the Calders the other night. I want both of you to be happy."
"I have not yet spoken to Peregrine about Mr Blair. Please do not say anything." Camilla asked. "I know he is not a suitable match for me when it comes to status. I need to think that through before I discuss the matter with Perry."
"I will not say a word," Georgiana promised. "It is not my place to mention it to Peregrine. I know I can trust you to do the right thing."
"Thank you. All I am doing at present is conversing with Mr Blair as friends," Camilla told her. "He is too much of a gentleman to make an improper advances and far too shy anyway."
"I presume the feeling is mutual," Georgiana asked. It was hard to tell by looking at George, he became flustered speaking to anybody. She could not attribute any embarrassment on his part to a fondness for Camilla because it tended to be his usual manner.
"Yes," she nodded. "Obviously he has not said as much but I can tell."
Georgiana hugged her. "I am very fond of both of you and I could not think of a better pairing." She squeezed her hand. "I hope you are successful. When do you think that you will see him again?"
"I do not know," Camilla replied. "Although I am sure Lucy will find an assembly to attend soon enough. She will then speak to Kitty who in turn will then go to Mr Calder and probably force him to appeal to Mr Blair to accompany us. For once I am grateful for their meddling. It is just unfortunate that Lord Treswick is likely to be there because his sister is also interfering in matters. At least I now have you on my side."
"Of course," Georgiana said. "I will help you."
"I not prepared to yield to Lord Treswick, Georgiana. I fully intend to make my own choices for my future," Camilla said resolutely. "And it certainly will not involve Lord Treswick. That is for sure."
"Well?"
Camilla pulled her sister aside out of the crowd. Lucy had not wasted any time in finding them an assembly to attend and as soon as they had arrived Camilla had sent her to see whether the Farleighs were also in attendance. She was just returning with her findings.
"I cannot see Augusta or Lord Treswick," Lucy replied. "That is not to say that they are not coming but as far as I can tell they are not here yet. Frank is looking amongst the gentlemen playing cards."
"Good," Camilla smiled. "I intend to avoid them as much as possible. We might even be able to leave before they arrive."
"Camilla, you cannot hide from Lord Treswick forever," Lucy told her. She loved her sister but was not willing to spend the entire assembly involved in subterfuge. Not when there was dancing to be had.
"I am not hiding," Camilla said with a smile. "I am simply taking advantage of the crowds. Frank," she spied their cousin walking towards her. "What news?"
He looked serious. "You are not going to like it."
She frowned. "Why? Have you seen Lord Treswick?"
"No but you are the subject of…" he was unable to finish as they were approached by a young lady who excitedly took Camilla's hand.
"I hear that congratulations are in order!" she exclaimed.
"Congratulations? Maria, I do not know to what you refer," Camilla looked confused.
"Perhaps congratulations are a little premature but I hear that you are becoming very close to Lord Treswick," Maria said. "I imagine an engagement is not far off! I decided to offer my congratulations early," she smiled. "So, congratulations!"
"I think you may be mistaken," Camilla told her. "Very mistaken. I have simply been renewing my friendship with his sister."
"Oh," Maria looked uncomfortable. "Please accept my apologies." Camilla bowed her head in acknowledgment and Maria hurried away after an embarrassed curtsy.
"I said that you would not like it," Frank commented as Camilla looked first at him and then Lucy. She was fully aghast.
"Who else is under the misapprehension that I am engaged, or at least soon to be engaged to Lord Treswick?" she exclaimed.
"It is a…popular rumour," Frank told her, slowly, as he anticipated an outburst.
"A popular rumour!" she cried. "How? This is Lord Treswick's doing! It must be! Oh, the shame!"
"Camilla," Lucy tried to calm her. "Perhaps most people do not take it seriously. You know Maria believes everything she is told."
"I do not care about 'most people'; they can believe what they want," Camilla told her. "I only care about…" she did not need to finish. Lucy knew exactly what she meant. Camilla was worried about how much Mr Blair knew.
"Who?" Frank asked. Lucy quietly elbowed him. She would explain later.
"Perhaps he does not realise," Lucy tried to reassure her. "He is not often in society."
"I doubt I will be so fortunate," Camilla said. If Mr Blair was aware of the gossip then she had no hope. He would only retreat from public, she was sure of it. She sighed. "You go and enjoy yourselves," she told them. "I will be fine staying here. It appears that I will have to spend the night counteracting rumours anyway."
Lucy smiled in sympathy. She patted her sister's arm then left, dragging a confused Frank with her. Camilla smiled as she watched as Frank immediately turned to Lucy for answers. She did not mind if he knew. It was always useful to have allies and Frank was always ready to be helpful.
Camilla studied the crowd, fully alert to any sign of Lord Treswick or Lady Augusta. She was absolutely angry at this turn of events. Now people were expecting an engagement to be forthcoming. This was practically a public declaration of courtship. She needed to speak to Peregrine as soon as possible. She must warn him that she might soon be bringing shame to the family name. People will soon be talking about her as she was not prepared to accept any sort of proposal from Lord Treswick. She would refuse him in public if need be. She did not care if she found herself shunned from society but was aware that it would probably not go that far. However, there would be considerable gossip if it came to a public refusal. Society liked a scandal. That being said, she did predict that she would soon be talked about for an entirely different reason. She smiled at the thought of Mr Blair then paused as she spotted a familiar face.
George noticed her at the same time as she spied him. They made eye contact but he frowned then disappeared into the crowd. She hurried after him.
"Mr Blair!" she exclaimed. "How pleasant it is to see you."
He stopped and bowed but did not look pleased. "L-Lady Camilla."
"How are you?" she asked.
"T-Tolerable," he replied, coldly, and then tried to leave. She stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. He swallowed nervously, obviously preparing to bolt, but froze at the unexpected contact.
"Please, Mr Blair," she said. "I need to talk to you."
"Is that w-wise c-considering your news?" he asked. She put her hand to her mouth in shock. It was as she feared. He had heard the rumours about her and Lord Treswick.
"It is not true," she hastened to assure him. She pulled him into a small, currently unoccupied room. Gentlemen sometimes used it to play billiards but that particular activity was not popular that night. "Please believe me."
"That is n-not what I h-heard," he said, obviously crestfallen. "I-It is all around T-Town that you are s-soon to be engaged to Lord Treswick."
"I am not!" she cried. "I was not even aware of this rumour until tonight when somebody congratulated me on my supposed engagement. Truly! I left Treswick House angry at Lord Treswick and I had spent the most of the stay avoiding him. I cannot stand the man! Please, you must believe me!" she pleaded again. "Lord Treswick presumes I have no say in the matter and is convinced that he can make me marry him. He is wrong, very, very wrong. I can barely tolerate being in the same room as him. He is spreading lies!" She stopped to take a breath and looked at him. He still looked dejected. "Please, Mr Blair. You are the only man…" she trailed off, willing him to trust her but knowing that she had said too much.
"M-Me?" he faltered. He finally made eye contact, searching for confirmation that she meant it. This is what he greatly desired. Before he had only guessed that his feelings were reciprocated but now here she was actually telling him.
"Yes, you," she replied, nodding to emphasise the statement. It was too late to take back her words.
"N-Not Lord Treswick?" he asked.
"Absolutely not Lord Treswick," she assured him. "Just you."
He finally smiled at her. "W-When I heard…"
"You were probably as shocked as I was?" she finished for him.
"I-It was certainly a s-surprise," he said. "L-Lord Treswick is here."
"Is he? I rather hoped that he was not." Camilla looked annoyed. "Oh dear, I suppose he will be looking for me."
"I w-would think so," George agreed. "What w-will you do?"
"Try and avoid him," she replied. "And if I cannot do that then I will hunt either Lucy or Frank down to make sure that he does not catch me alone. If that is not possible then I will speak to him but only in the middle of the busiest crowd in the assembly room."
"G-Good luck," George said. "I am going h-home. N-Not because I want to leave you but b-because I do not want to see him anywhere n-near you."
"Come to visit us," she implored. "Or, if you cannot do that then at least call upon the Calders when I will be there."
He nodded. "I w-will." He bowed then left her, turning round to smile as he left the room.
Camilla grinned to herself then sobered as she thought of what lay ahead. She marched out of the room and went to find Lucy and Frank.
"Lord Treswick is here," Lucy said as soon as her sister arrived.
"I know," Camilla replied.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"Making peace with Mr Blair," Camilla told her. "I am happy now."
"There you are, Lady Camilla." They were sadly interrupted by Lord Treswick. "Will you honour me with a dance?"
Frank give him the once over. "She is presently taken for this dance," he told the intruder. "Along with any others that might arise during the course of the evening."
"Excuse me?" Lord Treswick looked at him in disbelief. "I do not believe we have been introduced."
"Frank Morris," Frank replied but did not honour him with a bow. "Her cousin and you are?"
"Frank, please," Camilla said. She appreciated his support but it would not do to antagonise the man. "I am free for a dance."
"Good," Lord Treswick nodded. He smirked in triumph at Frank. "Come along," he offered his arm, which Camilla accepted with reluctance. He then led her away.
"I presume there is already a line forming?" Frank muttered. Lucy looked confused. "Of people wishing to punch…"
"Frank!" Lucy hissed. "Be a gentleman."
"Is your cousin always so disagreeable?" Lord Treswick asked as he steered Camilla towards the dancing.
"Only when he is faced with a man like you," Camilla replied.
"I see we have not improved in temperament since we last met," Lord Treswick said as they took their places on the floor.
"I could say the same thing about you," she retorted.
"Say what you like, Lady Camilla," he told her. "You cannot stop me."
"We shall see," Camilla said. The rest of the set was undertaken in silence. Camilla would usually take the opportunity to talk as she danced but she refused to say even a single word to Lord Treswick. As soon as it was over she applauded the band, glared at Lord Treswick and left him. He attempted to follow her but then noticed Frank watching them intently.
"Camilla?" Frank asked as soon she joined them again.
"I am fine," she smiled. "I am just wondering how rude I need to be before he takes the hint and leaves me alone."
"I am afraid I cannot answer that," Frank told her. "But I will say, and I am actually serious for once, speak to Peregrine. You know he will do his best to help you."
Camilla nodded. "Now! Dear Lucy, may I steal our cousin for a turn about the floor?"
"Of course," Lucy smiled. "Keep him for as long as you want. I have plenty of potential partners. I no longer need Frank." Their cousin pretended to look affronted at this then grinned.
"Shall we dance then, Camilla?" he said. She smiled and took his arm. Lucy smiled and went in search of a gentleman to become her next victim.
Augusta watched as Camilla walked away from her brother. This was not going according to plan. Camilla did appear to truly hate Nicholas. She thought that the other woman would eventually come round, even after the unsuccessful visit to Treswick House. It also seemed that Nicholas had become quite unpleasant since they had left Ireland. True, she had known him to be a little nasty with servants but that was a different matter. They were only servants after all. However, now they were in London she was finding that he was gaining a reputation as being disagreeable. He was not being as well received in society as she hoped. Perhaps a change in plan was needed. If he carried on pursuing Camilla Morris then he would become known as an irritation. Maybe it was not too late to change target. There had to a more amenable lady around. She could not rely on Nicholas to persuade Lord Cresthope as he had confidently said he would at Treswick House. It would not be successful if the reaction he had from Frank Morris was anything to go by. The latter man was close to Lord Cresthope and obviously a confidant of Camilla. They had to forget Lady Camilla now, she decided. It was not too late for Nicholas to court another girl. The engagement rumour could easily be put to rest. It was silly of Nicholas to start in the first place and she could never see it working to their advantage. If they acted quickly then they could make it look as if their next match was always the intended fiancée and Camilla was just a misunderstanding due to a renewal of past friendship. Yes, that was to the way to proceed. They had to act before Camilla publically rejected him.
Mind at ease, Augusta began her matchmaking anew. Lady Camilla proved to be too opinionated and independent. They needed a meek girl next, preferably without a loving family. An heiress would be perfect, especially one in need of a good match. She reckoned that they now needed to avoid old family friends. They seemed to have a preconception about Nicholas's character and it was not as flattering as she hoped. The ideal girl needed to be sheltered and highly susceptible to false charm. She obviously could no longer rely on her brother's true nature. Or else they needed someone equally scheming. She could deal with a calculating woman, just as long as she was from a good background. At least a woman such as that would realise and accept the particulars of the marriage.
"What are you looking so pensive about?" Lord Treswick appeared next to his sister.
"I am just thinking about your future wife," Augusta replied.
"That shrew? Please, I have had my fill of Lady Camilla," he told her. He was annoyed at the way she treated him whilst they danced. She was becoming very close to making a fool of him.
"Not Lady Camilla," Augusta said, with a smile. "I think we must count that as a failure and move onto the next girl."
"No," he said.
"No?" Augusta repeated, now a little confused. She thought that he would welcome the chance to escape Lady Camilla. "But she is obviously not interested."
"And?" Nicholas scoffed. "Why should that make a difference? I will not be refused, Augusta, especially by a woman. I am not going to let her embarrass me. Anyway, I thought you were eager for a match. You were certainly spewing enough nonsense about 'charming' her."
"Yes but that was before I realised that she cannot endure being in your presence," Augusta replied. "It is no longer fun. I would much prefer to assistant you in a different conquest."
"I can make this 'fun', Augusta," he said. There was malice to his tones that quite shocked his sister. "We can while away the hours thinking of interesting ways to 'persuade' Lady Camilla and her family. I like a conquest. We even have the added pleasure of disposing of that little mouse that is following her around – Blair, or whatever his name is."
"Now who is talking nonsense?" Augusta tried to joke. She was seeing a new side to her brother and it was not a pleasant revelation.
"I am not talking nonsense," he said, aggressively. "I will not allow Camilla Morris to reject me and I will do everything in my power to force her to comply with my desire. And you will assist me. Do not forget that this was your idea. Do you understand, Augusta?" She nodded. "Good." He walked away leaving his sister to dwell upon his words.
Peregrine heard his studying door opening and somebody enter and stand before his desk. He looked up from his accounts expecting to see a servant as the person did not say anything. However, he found a serious-looking Camilla instead. "Oh, I was expecting someone else entirely. Usually you would be hugging me by now. What troubles you, O solemn little sister?"
"Something is bothering me," Camilla told him. "Or rather, somebody is bothering me."
"Somebody?" Peregrine repeated.
"I seemed to have gained an admirer," she said.
He looked confused for a moment. A determination to not interfere in his family's lives meant that he often was unaware of every little thing that was happening to them. He trusted them to look after themselves so only provided assistance should they want it. "Lord Treswick?" he guessed, as she had just spent a few days at his country house.
"Exactly," Camilla confirmed. "He is operating under some serious misapprehensions."
Peregrine felt increasing confused. He was either very slow that morning or Camilla was talking in riddles. "Misapprehensions? What could he be mistaken about? Oh," he realised to what she could be referring. "Ah. Well, he has not spoken to me about any sort of courtship."
"Well, he has said plenty to me!" she declared. "Why do you think we were invited to Treswick House?"
"I hope you have told him his attentions are misguided," Peregrine said. Lord Treswick was not a man he wanted as a husband for his sister if he could help it. He knew his sister; she would be destroyed in spirit if she married such a man. "Unless…"
"Ha!" she scoffed at his concluding insinuation. "Oh, Peregrine, you can be assured that I have made my feelings on the matter very clear. Unfortunately, he is yet to take the hint. I cannot avoid his attentions."
"Is he mistaken in your sincerity?" Peregrine asked.
"He thinks I am a silly little girl and that he only needs to speak to you for his bidding to be done," Camilla told him. "According to him you will immediate grant your consent and I will be forced to marry him."
"What a pity then that I have no intention of giving my approval," Peregrine said. "Not that I have any chance of forcing you to do anything against your wishes. He can call upon me any time he wants but he will not leave satisfied. I have long maintained that I will not ask you to do anything with which you disagree."
She hugged him. "I hoped that you would say that. I knew deep down what your answer would be but Lord Treswick made me doubt you. He seems convinced that you have full control over me."
"As head of the family I probably do," he replied. "Especially in a family such as ours is. However, that does not mean that I have to exercise those rights. I accept that you are your own person. You have the freedom to marry whomever you wish."
She smiled wanly. It is likely that he may soon change his mind on that last point. She had decided that she would speak to him about Mr Blair. She had a feeling that his declaration that she was able to choose her future husband would no longer be applicable. It was improbable that he would approve of her marrying 'beneath' her status, even considering the fact that Mr Blair was a good friend. "I may hold you to that in future."
"Oh?" he looked curious. As far as he was aware Camilla was not considering marriage at present. "Is that in general or do you have a specific example in mind."
"I confess that I do," she did not look at him and instead studied the bracelet on her wrist.
Peregrine frowned. "Is it somebody of which I am likely to disapprove?"
"You will approve of him as a person," she replied, hesitantly. "But not of his status."
"Camilla, what are you talking about?" he asked. It was not like his sister to be guarded. "Who are you talking about?"
"Mr George Blair," she replied.
"Mr Blair?" Peregrine repeated slightly relieved. It was an unsuitable match but one that was only mismatched in terms of status. He could not deny that Mr Blair was perfectly amiable and a man he could trust with his sister.
"It is not yet a courtship and obviously Mr Blair has not made any sort of declarations but I like him very much, Peregrine," she told him.
"It could be worse," Peregrine admitted. "Considerably worse but…"
"I know!" Camilla finished for him, obviously frustrated. She knew what he was going to say. "His family is not our equal. He is a tutor, his elder brother is a lawyer and the other is a clergyman. Even the title his father possesses is only minor. I know all that but it makes no difference to me. I do not expect you to approve, Peregrine, but I could not keep my feelings a secret from you any longer."
Peregrine was silent. It was a lot for him to digest. On the one hand there was a man showing interest in his sister that was kind-hearted and likely to love her. On the other hand that same man was her inferior. As harsh as that sounded it was not something that could be denied. Mr Blair was only gentry; Camilla was nobility. However, he could not ignore the fact that Camilla should not reject a real chance at happiness, especially when the man in question was perfectly acceptable in every other way.
"I am ambivalent, Camilla, that is the only way to describe it," he finally said. "I am well aware of both sides of the argument. I need to think about the matter." He leant across to kiss the side of her head. "I am not immediately inclined to disapprove," he assured her. "It is just…"
"The matter is too complex for an instant decision," Camilla finished. "I understand, Peregrine."
"Let me think about it," he said. "Do you…? Are you…? Remember that people will talk," he finally managed. "You will be the source of endless gossip."
"I know," she said. "I am not ready to marry and Mr Blair certainly is not. You know what he is like. It is only recently that he has managed to muster the courage to speak to me. Officially declaring a courtship would ruin his nerves. We are not at that point yet. I do not even know whether we ever will. I just wanted to prepare you."
Peregrine nodded. "Then I will use this time to think it through because it is not a simple matter."
"I will continue to see Mr Blair," she said. It was a declaration rather than a query. She was simply warning her brother that she was not going to disregard George. "He is a friend after all."
"Of course," he said. "And I will assure you that Mr Blair is still welcome here. Very welcome."
"Thank you, Peregrine," she smiled. "I trust you on this matter. I know that you are not a tyrant. I am glad you were willing to listen to me."
"I have all confidence in you, Camilla," he told her. "You have just given me much to think about, that is all. It may take some time." She nodded. "Happy?"
"Partly," she replied. "Of course I am aware of your reservations but my most pertinent matter has been solved. I am fully convinced that you will not force me to marry Lord Treswick."
"In a contest between Mr Blair and Lord Treswick, I can safely say Mr Blair would win every time," he said. Camilla smiled. It was almost approval of Mr Blair as her husband. "In fact, if you telling me that you intended to marry Lord Treswick then I can assure you that my answer would be emphatically 'no' and with no room for argument. That is the only time I would dictate your choice of husband."
"There is no danger of that situation," she said. "Thank you again, I feel lighter now I have spoken to you." She kissed his cheek then left the room with a smile. Peregrine watched her go. She has left him with a lot on his mind.