His Grace raised his black brows in patient exasperation.

“How unnecessary of Andrew! And how typical! So ‘poor Dick’ has been squeezed already?”

“Don’t speak like that, Tracy!” she cried. “Dicky is good to me!” She met his piercing look unflinchingly.

“Now this becomes interesting,” drawled the Duke. “Since when have you come to that conclusion? And why this sudden loyalty?”

“I have always been loyal to him, Tracy! You know I have! I worry him⁠—and indeed he is very forbearing.”

“But how charming of him!”

“No, do not sneer, Tracy! He has promised to take me to London for the whole winter⁠—”

His Grace leant back in his chair again.