Francesca Colne was as cheerful and friendly as her husband, and Lucy was soon at her ease.
‘Lord Adversane says you live in London,’ said Mrs Colne. ‘This must be very different for you.’
‘It is, but I am enjoying it very much,’ replied Lucy.
‘And have you settled in well, Miss Halbrook?’ Harry asked her. ‘You never did come to ask me all your questions about the house.’
She returned his smile. ‘Lord Adversane answered most of them for me. And his sisters have been very good, too.’ Her glance flickered over Ralph. ‘They told me a little about you and Adversane when you were boys.’
‘Then that is something you can tell me.’ Francesca laughed.
‘I think it is best forgotten,’ Ralph growled, but the smile in his eyes gave the lie to his menacing frown.
Harry grinned.
‘Dear heaven, what on earth have they been telling you, Miss Halbrook?’
‘Nothing so very bad,’ she admitted with a chuckle. ‘The worst I heard is that Lord Adversane broke his collarbone.’
Harry laughed. ‘Yes, on Druids Rock! We were competing to see who could scale the cliff face the quickest. Ralph was in the lead but then he missed his footing and fell. However, the injury saved him from the beating that I received.’
‘Good gracious,’ exclaimed Francesca. ‘And did that stop you from doing such a foolhardy thing in future?’
‘Of course not. In fact, old Lord Adversane, Ralph’s father, was the first to encourage us to go back and try again, but this time under supervision. We climbed the rock many times after that without mishap.’ He shook his head, smiling at the memory. ‘Ralph and I were a couple of tearaways when we were boys and often found ourselves in the most outrageous scrapes!’
‘Oh?’ Lucy cast a laughing glance at Mrs Colne. ‘I am sure we should like to hear all about them.’
Ralph shook his head and after warning Harry not to sully the ladies’ ears with such nonsense he went off, leaving Mr Colne to entertain them. They were soon joined by Sir Timothy, and shortly after Lucy moved away. A glance at the ormulu clock on the mantelpiece showed her that there was some time before she needed to slip away. She noted that Ralph had already disappeared and she went over to sit with his sisters, who were engaged in a lively discussion with Judith Cottingham on the benefits of education for women. When the clock’s delicate chimes signalled the half-hour she excused herself and slipped out of the drawing room.
Lord Adversane’s study was situated at the far side of the entrance passage, just beyond the dining room. A few words with Ralph were all that was needed to make sure he did not contradict anything she had said to Adam and Judith Cottingham. There would be no need for her to stay more than a couple of minutes. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that it was not until she reached the study door that she heard voices from within. She recognised Harold Colne’s voice, which was raised enough for his words to carry out to her with disastrous clarity.
‘I cannot remain quiet any longer, Ralph. I thought at first I was mistaken but tonight, seeing her in that gown— What are you playing at, man? And what in heaven’s name possessed you to offer for a girl who is the living image of Helene?’
Lucy jumped away from the door. There was no mistaking Mr Colne’s disapproval. If Harry, who was Ralph’s oldest friend, was uneasy about his motives, then something must surely be wrong. She retired to the Great Hall, thankful that it was for the moment deserted.
What should she do? She could pretend she had not heard Harry’s remarks, but that would not allay her own fears, which had resurfaced, stronger than ever. She put her hands to her cheeks. Had she been deceiving herself simply because she wanted to live in luxury for a few weeks, ignoring her principles because of the largess that would be hers once she had completed her contract? It was a lowering thought and crowding in close behind it came another. If Ralph had hired her merely to play his hostess then surely there was no need for her to look like Helene. She wrapped her arms about herself. Unless he was still in love with his wife’s memory.
She heard a rapid footstep, and Mr Colne appeared. He was looking troubled, but the frown vanished when he saw her.
She said quickly, ‘May I have a word with you, sir, before you return to the drawing room?’ She rushed on, knowing if she hesitated she would lose confidence. ‘Has—has Lord Adversane told you why I am here—the real reason I am here?’
He frowned for a moment, then came across the hall to her.
‘Yes,’ he said quietly. ‘Ralph has taken me into his confidence.’
‘Then you know we are not engaged. That I have been hired to play a role.’
‘I do.’
She searched his face.
‘You know him so much better than I, Mr Colne. Tell me truthfully, do you think I should cry off now from the agreement? Adversane explained it to me, you see. He told me that he needed everyone to think he had chosen another wife, to stop them all from pestering him. I quite see that such a situation would be very uncomfortable, but is this really the solution?’
She twisted her hands together while she waited anxiously for his answer.
He said carefully, ‘What does your conscience tell you?’
Lucy put her hands to her temples, saying distractedly, ‘I am no longer sure! I had convinced myself there was no impropriety, but now I am here... Do you think it is very wrong, Mr Colne?’
His cheerful countenance was clouded, and he did not answer immediately.
‘Miss Halbrook, Ralph has not been himself since Helene’s death. He is haunted by the event. If this helps him to come to terms with it, then, no, it is not wrong.’
‘Thank you, I am relieved to hear you say so.’
‘But—’
‘Yes, Mr Colne?’
He shook his head.
‘It does not matter. Are you on your way to the drawing room? Shall I escort you?’
‘Thank you, but I came out to find Lord Adversane.’
‘Then I will take you to him.’ He escorted her towards the study but as they neared the door he stopped. ‘If you are in any doubt, Miss Halbrook, if you should wish to withdraw from this pretence at any time or if you need assistance, please remember that you can come to me.’
‘Why, thank you, Mr Colne, but if, as you say, this is helping Lord—Ralph, then I am happy to continue with it.’
‘If you are sure you want to continue. I would not like you to get hurt.’
‘I am quite sure, sir.’
He gave her a searching look, as if to assure himself that she was sincere, then with a nod and a smile he knocked upon the study door and ushered her inside.
* * *
Ralph was waiting for her, his impassive countenance giving nothing away.
‘So,’ he said as the door closed upon them. ‘What have you been saying to my cousin that I need to know?’
She looked at him blankly for a moment. Harry Colne’s last words were still echoing in her head. Did Harry expect her to lose her heart to her employer?
This is merely a business arrangement. Nothing more. Concentrate, Lucy!
‘It seems so trivial now, but Mrs Cottingham asked where precisely we had first met. I did not