LITMIR.BIZ

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she would be going down to dinner with her curls still damp.

      Mrs Dean accompanied her into the dressing room, where Ruthie was overseeing the filling of a hip-bath.

      ‘We should put a little elderflower oil in the water. It is very good for aches and chills. I have some in my room.’

      ‘Oh, would you fetch it, please, Ariadne? I am sure it will help.’ Lucy gave the widow a tiny smile. ‘Ruthie will look after me now.’

      Having sent the widow bustling away, Lucy went back to her bedroom to undress. She assured Ruthie she could manage quite well on her own and ordered the maid to make sure the servants did not spill the bathwater.

      * * *

      ‘There, Miss, you looks quite respectable again.’

      There was no guile in the maid’s open countenance; she thought merely that her mistress had been caught in the heavy rainstorm which had quite ruined her gown. The thin muslin was muddy and too badly damaged to repair. It had been thrown away, bundled up with the undergarments that bore the tell-tale signs of Lucy’s lost virginity. She was now ready to go down to dinner, dressed in green silk and the only evidence of her soaking was her damp hair.

      She was a little apprehensive about entering the drawing room, and Caroline’s cheerful greeting informed her that her escapade had not gone unnoticed.

      ‘So, Lucy, my brother had to rescue you from the storm.’

      Ariadne shook her head and murmured, ‘So foolhardy to go out at all in such weather.’

      ‘Miss Halbrook is not used to the sudden violence of our northern weather.’ Ralph was holding out his hand to her and smiling. ‘I hope her experience today will not give her a dislike of Adversane.’

      Lucy read the message in his eyes and tried desperately not to blush. She risked sending him a message of her own.

      ‘Quite the contrary, my lord.’

      ‘Ralph,’ he reminded her. He pulled her hand onto his arm and led her across to Ariadne. ‘But you see, Cousin, she is looking even more radiant, so there’s no harm done.’

      ‘I sincerely hope not.’

      The words were uttered so quietly that only Lucy heard them as she sat down beside Mrs Dean.

      ‘But why did you go out at all?’ asked Charlotte. ‘Mama said you were painting in the morning room, only you were not there when I went to find you to tell you that we were going to play charades.’

      ‘I wanted a little air,’ Lucy replied. ‘I did not realise I had wandered so far...’

      Margaret chuckled. ‘Giving Ralph the opportunity to play Sir Galahad.’

      ‘And you took shelter at Druids Rock,’ stated Adam.

      ‘Yes.’ Lucy knew he was watching her closely and hoped she sounded nonchalant.

      ‘Remarkable place, Druids Rock,’ added Sir James. ‘I am glad the storm has passed, for I want to go there to see the dawn tomorrow.’ He looked around, beaming. ‘Summer solstice, you know. Perhaps some of you would like to join me?’

      ‘With Midsummer’s Eve looming?’ Judith Cottingham shook her head. ‘I for one will be resting and building up my strength for that.’

      There was a general murmur of agreement and Ralph said, ‘You are welcome to go, of course, Preston, but I doubt you will find anyone to accompany you.’

      ‘Of course I would not expect you to go there, Adversane, but I am not unhopeful... Charlotte, my dear, what about you?’

      His daughter wrinkled her pretty nose. ‘Not I, Papa! I am not like Helene, slipping off to Druids Rock whenever she could get away. She must truly have thought it had magic powers, since she was always going there.’

      Lucy felt the change immediately. There was a tension in the air and everyone was looking uncomfortable. Ralph was frowning and Lady Preston hissed at her daughter, who merely shrugged her shoulders.

      ‘Why must I not mention her? After two years we should be able to talk of my sister without so much constraint. I thought that was why Lord Adversane had invited us here.’

      ‘You are quite right, Miss Preston,’ replied Ralph. ‘The past is done, but I am afraid it still haunts some of us.’

      Byrne came in to announce that dinner was ready and Lucy was aware of a definite feeling of relief as they all made their way to the dining room. With only three days to go until Midsummer’s Eve, the play was the natural topic of conversation once everyone was seated.

      ‘What are they performing this year?’ asked Caroline.

      Ralph helped himself from a dish of chicken before him and did not look up as he answered.

      ‘The Provoked Wife.’

      ‘But that’s—’

      Sir Timothy’s exclamation was cut short, Lucy suspected by a kick under the table from Caroline, who was sitting beside him.

      ‘Yes,’ said Ralph carefully. ‘It is the same play they performed two years ago.’

      ‘So everything is to be as it was before,’ murmured Judith Cottingham.

      ‘With one exception,’ put in Lady Preston. She fixed her pale eyes upon Lucy. ‘You have no Lady Adversane.’

      ‘True, but I do have a fiancée,’ Ralph replied coolly. ‘I shall use the occasion to announce our formal betrothal.’

      Ariadne’s fork clattered onto her plate.

      ‘That is not what was planned, Cousin.’

      ‘Plans change.’ Ralph was looking at Lucy, a little smile playing about the corners of his mouth. ‘Well, my love? Would you object to it?’

      Before she could reply, Adam brought his hand crashing down upon the table.

      ‘Dash it all, Adversane, this is not the time or the place to ask such a question. You put Miss Halbrook in a most awkward position. If she has any objections do you think she would voice them here, in front of everyone?’

      Lucy shook her head. ‘Truly, I—’

      Ralph put up his hand to silence her, his eyes solemn.

      ‘Adam is quite right, my dear. You should consider well before giving me your answer.’

      Lucy did not want to consider. She knew what she wanted, but Ralph’s announcement had caused so much consternation that she dare not say so. Instead, she kept her peace and Lord Wetherell adroitly changed the subject.

      * * *

      No more was said of the engagement during dinner, but afterwards it seemed everyone had an opinion to share with Lucy. As the ladies made their way across to the drawing room, Lady Preston came alongside her.

      ‘I advise you to think very carefully before you commit yourself to Lord Adversane’s proposal, Miss Halbrook. Once the betrothal is made public there can be no going back.’

      ‘I am aware of that, ma’am.’

      ‘Are you?’ Lady Preston put her hand on her arm and gave her a pitying smile. ‘Are you truly ready to tie yourself to a man who can never love you?’

      Lucy put up her chin. ‘You are mistaken.’

      Had Ralph not proved this very day how much he loved her? As if she were reading her thoughts, Lady Preston curled her lip.

      ‘You are very young, my dear, and do not yet know the difference between a man’s lust and true, lasting affection.’

      Lucy responded with nothing more than a shake of her head as they entered the drawing room, but no sooner had she moved away from Lady Preston than Margaret and Caroline came up to her.

      ‘Has

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