The Earl laughed.
“That is indeed flattery, Grandmama. Most people would have asked if I had won a race.”
“Don’t try any false modesty with me,” the Countess said almost sharply. “You know as well as I do that you win and go on winning. It becomes almost boring to read The Racing News.”
She glanced as she spoke towards the newspapers that were lying on a stool by her side and the Earl was not surprised to see among them sporting newspapers that were usually read only by gentlemen and that he never saw them in any other lady’s sitting room except his grandmother’s.
“As you have undoubtedly read which races I won yesterday,” he replied, “I need only tell you that I was first in the Sefton Stakes with the only horse I entered today.”
“Good,” the Countess smiled, “then, as you are here al
