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but he will not listen to me. He simply turns away or walks out of the room.”
    â€œAs long as we are not openly arguing, Grandmama, I can bear his indifference.”
    â€œIt is not indifference, dearest. He might not say a great deal, but he does still have feelings for you. Unfortunately, his stubborn streak will always win.”
    â€œGrandmama. I feel I should inform you that I intend to travel to Devon at the end of the week.”
    She stiffened in her seat and pursed her lips. Her tone, when she spoke, was measured, but he could not detect any hint of telling emotion in it.
    â€œYou must do as your grandfather desired,” she answered calmly. “He would wish you to rekindle your love of architecture and it is the perfect project for you. It is also a means to an end as I know your father has cut your allowance again.”
    â€œYes. I will be frank, Grandmama, if Grandpapa had not left me the money for this house and the allowance, I would be forced to sell South Audley Street and go and live at my Club. A gentleman may always get credit after all.”
    â€œYou will do no such thing!” cried his grandmother. “If matters become so difficult, then you must come to me.”
    â€œI would not dream of it,” he replied, placing his hand on hers. “Now, let me see you to your carriage. I have some rather pleasant business in Mayfair.”
    After escorting his grandmother to her carriage, the Viscount headed for the garage in the mews behind Berkeley Square to buy himself a motor car.
    He had heard that the new King had been driven in a Daimler and wished to see one for himself.
    In the Westminster Gazette he had seen just what he wanted and, once he had bought it, he followed up their recommendation for an agency that supplied chauffeurs and he called in on their offices in Maddox Street.
    At the agency, the owner had been very pleased to see him and, within half an hour, had engaged a very cheerful fellow by the name of Bennett, who had recently driven the Duke of Edenbridge until the old man died.
    With so much achieved in one afternoon, the Viscount returned home feeling very pleased with himself.
    The motor car was delivered the day before they were due to leave for Devon. Bennett made himself extremely useful, helping with trunks and bags and even went to Paddington station to obtain the train tickets for the other servants.
    â€œThey will have to be ferried from Barnstaple to the house in Bideford as there is no local station,” he told the Viscount. “Shall I make enquiries about a private carriage or two for them?”
    â€œOf course. They cannot be expected to walk with all their luggage! Thank you so much, Bennett. Is the car ready for the long journey ahead?”
    â€œIt is, my Lord, and I have obtained a travelling map from Stanford’s for the journey. I suggest we stop at the Angel Inn in Salisbury for an overnight stay. We should not attempt the journey in one day.”
    â€œI had expected as much. They say these new motor cars are capable of travelling more swiftly than horses, but I have my doubts.”
    The house felt very strange and empty with all his furniture covered.
    The next morning the Viscount saw off his servants on their way to Paddington and said his goodbyes to Bellamy and his wife.
    Climbing into the passenger seat of his new car, he felt a little sad to be leaving the house he had lived in since he had left Cambridge.
    â€˜At least I had the opportunity to say farewell to Grandmama,’ he thought, as the car rocketed forwards.
    He held on to his hat as it gathered speed. Bennett was a smooth driver, but the gears on the new motor car seemed a trifle stiff.
    They were soon driving through the West of London on the old coaching road to Exeter. Bennett had planned the journey to the last mile and intended to stop for luncheon at an inn outside Reading and then dinner at the Angel Inn in Salisbury.
    â€œI have reserved two