Bewitched (Bantam Series No. 16) by Barbara Cartland Page A

which had given the Marquis an idea for another way in which they could confound Sir Algernon Gibbon, and this was something which concerned Saviya and him more than Charles Collington.
    What made everything so much easier—Saviya told them with a note of surprise in her voice—was that her father had withdrawn his objection to her coming to the house even though he knew the Marquis was in residence.
    What was more he approved of their plan that Saviya should act the part of a Russian Noblewoman.
    “Why has your father changed his mind about me?” the Marquis enquired.
    “I do not know,” Saviya answered. “I expected he would be angry and forbid me to take part in your Masquerade, but he was amused by it and only admonished me to act so well that you would win your wager.”
    She paused and then she added:
    “I think perhaps he feels it is the same as performing in the private theatres in Moscow and St. Petersburg.”
    “You have done that?” the Marquis asked.
    “Only in a very small way,” Saviya answered. “Amongst the Gypsies who live in both those cities there are many very famous dancers and prima donnas, and because I was my mother’s daughter, I was occasionally allowed to take part, not particularly through my own merits.”
    “I want you to tell me about it,” the Marquis said.
    But they had been so busy preparing for Sir Algernon Gibbons arrival that there had been no time to continue the conversation.
    Now Hobley finished tying the Marquis’s white cravat and, stepping back to look at his handiwork, he said:
    “I think I ought to tell you, M’Lord, that Mr. Jethro has been in the village.”
    “When?” the Marquis asked sharply.
    “He was there yesterday, M’Lord,” Hobley replied. “I understand from one of the footmen who went to the post office this morning before luncheon that his curricle was outside The Green Man.”
    “What is he doing in the village, Hobley?” the Marquis enquired.
    “I can’t understand it, M’Lord. I should have thought that if Mr. Jethro was in the vicinity he would have called upon Your Lordship, but I understand he was making enquiries.”
    “About what?” the Marquis asked.
    “Your Lordships prolonged stay in the country, and also about Miss Saviya.”
    “Why should that interest him?” the Marquis asked almost to himself.
    Then as Hobley did not reply he asked:
    “How did you learn this?”
    “Henry—he’s the third footman, M’Lord—was in The Green Man yesterday when Mr. Jethro came in. He had two men with him, rather rough types, Henry thought.”
    “And he listened to their conversation?”
    “It was not hard for him to do so, M’Lord. I understand Mr. Jethro was talking to the Landlord about Your Lordship, and then this morning he was in conversation with Bob.”
    “And who is Bob?” the Marquis asked.
    “The new Pantry-Boy,” Hobley replied. “Mr. Bush had difficulty in finding one and he took on this boy who said he came from St. Albans. I’ve discussed it with Mr. Bush, M’Lord, and we thought, in the circumstances, it would be best if we dispensed with Bob’s services.”
    “You think,” the Marquis said slowly, “that he is relaying information about the household to Mr. Jethro?”
    “I should not be surprised, M’Lord. There was talk of money changing hands.”
    “Then dismiss him at once!” the Marquis said sharply. “I will not, as you well know, have any of my staff accepting bribes.”
    “We can’t be sure, M’Lord,” Hobley said, “that Bob knew Mr. Jethro before they got into conversation in The Green Man, but Mr. Bush did mention that the reference Bob brought with him was from Lord Portgate, who Your Lordship well knows is a close friend of Mr. Jethro.”
    The Marquis recalled a dissolute, drunken young peer who was frequently in his cousin’s company.
    “Dismiss the boy!” the Marquis said briefly and, having been helped into his perfectly fitting evening coat, he went downstairs to the