‘I do not please, my child. Go and eat.’ He sat down as he spoke, twirling his quizzing glass. After a moment’s hesitation the boy went to the table and waited for Hugh to carve him a leg of chicken. Having supplied his wants, Hugh came back to the fire.
‘Are you mad, Justin?’ he asked, faintly smiling.
‘I believe not.’
‘Then why have you done this? What do you, of all men, want with a child of his age?’
‘I thought it might be an amusement. As you doubtless know, I am suffering from ennui. Louise wearies me. This’ – he waved one white hand towards the famished boy – ‘is a heaven-sent diversion.’
Davenant frowned.
‘You surely do not intend to adopt the child?’
‘He – er – adopted me.’
‘You are going to make him as your son?’ persisted Hugh incredulously.
The Duke’s eyebrows rose, rather superciliously.
‘My dear Hugh! A child from the gutter? He shall be my page.’
‘And what interest will that afford you?’
Justin smiled, and his glance travelled to the boy.
‘I wonder?’ he said softly.
‘You have some special reason?’
‘As you so sapiently remark, my dear Hugh, I have some special reason.’
Davenant shrugged his shoulders, and allowed the subject to drop. He sat watching the child at the table, who presently finished his repast, and came to the Duke’s side.
‘If you please, sir, I have finished.’
Avon put up his eyeglass.
‘Have you?’ he said.
The boy knelt suddenly, and to Davenant’s surprise, kissed the Duke’s hand.
‘Yes, sir. Thank you.’
Avon disengaged himself, but the boy knelt still, looking up into the handsome face with humble eyes. The Duke took a pinch of snuff.
‘My esteemed child, there sits the man you had best thank.’ He waved his hand towards Davenant. ‘I should never have thought of feeding you.’
‘I – I thanked you for saving me from Jean, milor’,’ the boy answered.
‘You are reserved for a worse fate,’ said the Duke sardonically. ‘You now belong to me – body and soul.’
‘Yes, sir. If you please,’ murmured the boy, and sent him a swift glance of admiration from beneath his long lashes.
The thin lips curled a little.
‘The prospect is no doubt pleasing?’
‘Yes, sir. I – I would like to serve you.’