– Oh, splendid. Then my unexpected arrival is not so out of place… Are you the butler? – Jeremy turned to Mr. Anderson, who had come out of the next room. – Would you give your lady my card?

– If you say so, sir. – Mr. Anderson took the card from his new guest and headed for the stairs.

– 'Ah, yes, my sincere condolences: I learnt of your father's death in this morning's paper, a fortnight late,' Anthony hastened to say to his friend.

– Thank you, my friend. But I must confess that I feel no loss at all. He didn't exist for me, and I didn't exist for him," Jeremy said in an indifferent tone, smoothing his beautiful, slightly dishevelled hair. – My old man left this world at a very convenient moment for me, and I'm grateful for that.

– What cynicism," Anthony grumbled. – I know he wasn't a good father, but you have no right to speak of him that way.

– Even if you know that he got me addicted to alcohol when I was thirteen? – Jeremy grinned: his friend's words had hurt his pride, and he felt a little irritated with him.

– Thirteen? – Anthony asked incredulously.

– Thirteen. It was Christmas, and he made me drink a bottle of whisky with him at the party table. I'd never had a drink before. But my old man thought I was too reserved and he wanted to see me smile, he told me that night. – Jeremy lifted his chin and squinted at his friend. – I don't think they made you drink whiskey when you were thirteen.

– No, I wasn't. The first time I touched alcohol was when I was fifteen, and it was a small shot of sweet liquor," Anthony agreed, and suddenly realised what a bright, full of comfort and care he had had during the years when Jeremy had been a mere shadow to his father, a shadow he had tried to ignore.

– From that evening I drank every day. It was a glass of wine at lunch, a little brandy before bed… And whisky. Yes, my father's favourite whisky. He got me addicted to it," Jeremy said thoughtfully. – And when I became addicted, he said I was a disgrace to his name. Damn…" He stopped himself just in time to avoid swearing in front of his friend. – So I'm glad he's dead. Call me whatever you want. It's your right.

– I'm sorry… I'm sorry your father was so selfish," Anthony said quietly, but then smiled broadly. – But enough about him. Tell me, my friend, how did you decide to marry my cousin? I remember you said that even her beauty did not outshine her poverty!

– Love, my friend, is unpredictable! – Jeremy laughed at that. – I fell in love with that red-haired nymph so much that I didn't care about a thing. The old man sent me away when I told him of my intention to marry Vivian.

But when I received the news of his death, when he finally made me happy with his passing, the first thing I did when I got back to London was to pay a visit to your cousin. I proposed to her. She accepted. It's a very amusing story with a happy ending. But I missed you at the wedding.

– Alas, I had to leave London immediately to visit my brother," Anthony sighed.

– Vivian told me. I hope the child will be back on his feet soon.

– I hope so too.

There was silence. A strange, uncomfortable silence for both gentlemen. Fortunately, footsteps were soon heard on the stairs and the butler appeared.

– I gave your card to Miss Salton, sir," Mr. Anderson said to Jeremy as he approached the guests. – She said to ask if you gentlemen would like to quench your thirst?

– No, thank you," Anthony replied politely.

– I think I shall decline too," shrugged Mr. Wington. – But did Miss Salton tell you how long we must wait for the ladies to appear?

– She did, sir. She said she was almost ready, and the ladies would be down in a few minutes. Is there any other favour I can do for you? – The butler asked.

– I don't think so. But please share with us: where did you learn English so well? – Anthony asked with a smile.

– My position requires many skills, sir. – Mr. Anderson's lips trembled slightly in a smile. – 'Besides, as you must know, Mr. Salton is a pure-blooded Englishman, and he prefers everyone in his house to speak his own language. Even the maids. – He gave his guests a polite bow and left.

As the butler had promised, the girls appeared in the hall a few minutes later, interrupting the gentlemen's lively conversation about the defeat of Napoleon and his allies. They seemed to be discussing an entertaining piece of gossip: their ringing laughter suddenly filled the vast hall and echoed quietly from the high, pale but elegant ceiling.

– But we'll continue this conversation later," Jeremy said with a smile to his friend and walked towards Miss Salton, who smiled at him, stopped and bowed. – It's good to see you again, Miss Salton. And glad my husband could visit you today," he said delicately, bowing gracefully.

"What a talented personage this vile man is! He smiles at me, but in his heart he thinks my friendship with Vivian is worthless!" – Charlotte thought involuntarily, watching the gallant behaviour of her friend's husband, who, as she now knew, was a real despot.

– I am glad, too, that Mrs. Wington and Mr. Cranford have so unexpectedly filled my day with warmth and light," Charlotte replied politely. – But you must take care of our dear Vivian: she has been in poor health of late.

– I assure you that my husband is surrounded by love and care," replied Jeremy.

– Oh, I'm sure she is! – Miss Salton managed to squeeze out. – But have you heard the latest news? The Duke of Nightingale and Miss Beckley have officially announced their wedding date!

– Duke Nightingale is getting married? – Anthony was surprised to hear the news for the first time.

– My friend, you seem to have got your Devry fix! – Jeremy said with a laugh. – It was all over the newspapers!

– I don't remember it being in the papers, and I get the post and the papers every day. Even if it was a fortnight ago," Anthony grinned. – And when did this magnificent event take place? I mean the engagement.

– In the middle of August, if I'm not mistaken," said Vivian.

Anthony glanced at his cousin.

'So that's why she accepted Jeremy's proposal! The Duke of Nightingale was lost to her, and my friend has fallen at her feet," he surmised, and as if he had read his thoughts, Vivian smiled and nodded faintly.

– 'But let us lose no time! It will soon be dark, and we are wasting daylight on gossip! – Charlotte, seeing how sad her friend's face had suddenly become, exclaimed. She went to Anthony and asked him to help her put on her long, warm cloak.

– Is something wrong, my love? You look upset," Jeremy asked her, noticing his wife's expression.

– I'm just sorry about Charlotte," she lied in a whisper and put her hand on his elbow. – Not a single gentleman has been asked to marry her since I've seen her lately! But, my love, help me with my cloak. It's so cold outside! How do you find the strength to hunt on such gloomy, windy days?

– I love hunting and I don't mind the weather," Jeremy said with a charming smile. – But today Artemis decided to upset me. No trophies! But tomorrow I'll take your cousin with me, and I swear I'll be home before my sack is full.

– I will pray Artemis to have mercy on you, my dear," Viviane replied affectionately.

"Foolish lover of blood and murder! May God punish you for your bloodlust! May tomorrow your horse throw you off… may tomorrow you be drowned! May your gun shoot you in your own head!" – the girl thought with hatred burning in her soul.

Miss Salton, paired with Mr. Cranford, and the Wingtons left the house and went out into the large but sad autumn garden, in which the bright colours of the flowers did not burn, but only the tired bare trunks of the trees and their crooked branches creaked under the mischief of the wind. Owing to the fact that the girls' hats were securely fastened by silk ribbons tied beautifully under their chins, it was not necessary to hold them down with the palm of the hand, but the gentlemen were less fortunate, and they kept their tall hats from leaving their heads by laughing.