‘Meg’s right,’ added Caroline. ‘Do you not yet know that my brother is not to be gainsaid?’
Their words did not give the reassurance Lucy wanted. She declined their invitation to join them at the piano, preferring to sit a little way apart and collect her thoughts. She was not allowed to do so for long.
‘You are looking a little fatigued, Miss Halbrook.’ Judith Cottingham sat down beside her. ‘I am not at all surprised. I find Caroline and Margaret’s company quite as exhausting as their brother’s. They must always be on the go, always doing something. And so strong-willed, too.’ She gave a little laugh. ‘My husband says they have none of them any concern for anyone’s feelings but their own.’
‘I have not found that to be so,’ said Lucy.
‘Perhaps that is because you are naturally complaisant.’
‘I do not think—’
Judith caught her arm, saying in an urgent undervoice, ‘Have a care what you are about, Miss Halbrook. This is not a happy house. It is full of shadows and secrets.’
‘Mayhap I can make it happier.’
‘No. You look too much like Helene.’
‘A little, perhaps, but—’
The grip on her arm became almost painful.
‘You should not stay here,’ Judith hissed. ‘You should leave before he destroys you, too.’
Lucy drew back, startled. Mrs Cottingham put up her hand and shook her head, a frightened look on her face. ‘Forgive me. Please, I beg you, forget that I said anything.’
She hurried away, leaving Lucy to stare after her. She had thought Judith Cottingham a meek, colourless little woman, so her sudden outburst had been all the more alarming. What did she mean? Was she warning her against Ralph? She looked around. If only he would come in. She needed the reassurance of his presence, but a glance at the clock told her not to expect the gentlemen for another half-hour at least.
Restlessly, she went over to the windows, throwing them open so that she could stroll out onto the terrace, but even there she was not alone for long.
‘Such a lovely evening now, after the earlier rain.’ Ariadne came to stand beside Lucy, looking out over the gardens. ‘Ralph’s decision to announce your engagement—does it have anything to do with your being caught out in the storm together today? My dear, I do not mean to pry, but I am anxious for you. This is a very long way from his original plan.’
Lucy hesitated, collecting her thoughts.
‘I am aware how it must look to you, ma’am, but since I have been here, since I have become acquainted with Lord Adversane—’
‘You have fallen in love with him?’
Lucy gave her a grateful smile. ‘I have. I cannot tell you how much I—’
‘Then pray do not,’ exclaimed Ariadne, consternation shadowing her kind face. ‘Oh, my dear Lucy, I would like nothing better, but...’ She took her hands. ‘Are you sure Ralph returns your affection? But of course you are. How could I doubt it?’
‘You are not happy about it.’
‘I cannot deny I am concerned, Lucy. You have known my cousin for such a short time, and you are so very young—’
‘I am four-and-twenty, Ariadne.’
‘Very well, you are not a child, but all the same, this is so very sudden. Would it not be better to wait a little longer, just to be sure?’
Lucy pulled her hands free and gave a little cry of frustration.
‘Oh, why is everyone so concerned that I do not know my own heart?’
She turned away, blinking back the hot tears that threatened to fall. After a moment Ariadne squeezed her arm.
‘Oh, my dear, it is not your heart that I doubt.’
Lucy heard the older woman’s sigh and then she was alone. The joy and happiness she had felt earlier had quite disappeared. Was everyone against her marrying Ralph? No, Caroline and Margaret were pleased for her, weren’t they? What was it Margaret had said?
If Ralph wants you, he will have you.
There was nothing lover-like about that—it was more a statement of possession. As the threat of tears subsided, Lucy gazed out across the gardens, watching the shadows lengthen. This was Adversane land, as far as one could see. Ralph was offering to make her mistress of all this and more, but she knew it was not enough. She wanted none of it if she could not have his love, as well.
‘So here you are.’
That deep, dear voice had her spinning round, reaching out for him. Without hesitating, Ralph took her in his arms. He kissed her, melting her doubts like snow in the sunlight.
‘I would like to carry you upstairs right now.’ He murmured the words against her skin as his lips nibbled her ear, making her shiver with delight. ‘Yet I suppose we must be circumspect, at least while we have visitors at Adversane. It will not be easy for me to keep away from you.’
She put her hands against his chest and looked up at him.
‘Do you truly wish to marry me, Ralph?’
His brows went up.
‘What is this? What have my family been saying to you?
She dropped her eyes to his neck cloth, but the precision of those intricate folds only reminded her of how she had struggled to tear it off earlier. The thought brought the hot blood surging through her once more. He pulled her close again, murmuring between kisses.
‘They all think we have been betrothed for the past year. Surely they cannot think it is too soon?’
‘No, but Ariadne knows the truth and she is most concerned.’
‘She will come round when she sees how I love you.’
‘Do you, Ralph? Do you truly love me?’
He met her glance with a glinting smile. ‘Can you doubt it?’
She shook her head. When he was so close, holding her like this, she did not doubt it at all.
‘Then unless you have any objections we will announce our betrothal after the play, and then in a week or so I shall take you to London to inform your family. Would you wish to be married there, or shall we give my tenants the privilege of seeing you become my bride at the parish church in Adversane? It is your choice, although Hopkins will be most disappointed if he is not to perform the ceremony—’
‘Stop, stop.’ Laughing, she put a hand up to his lips. ‘This is all too much, my—Ralph. We can decide upon such details later.’
He kissed her fingers. ‘You are right. One thing at a time.’ He raised his head, listening. ‘And if I am not mistaken, Byrne has brought in the tea tray. I suppose we must go and join the others.’
After another swift kiss he took her inside. She knew her eyes were shining with pleasure and her happiness was not in the least dimmed by the arctic glare Lady Preston cast in her direction, nor by Judith Cottingham’s frowning look.
She helped Mrs Dean to serve the tea, then took her own cup to a quiet corner, content to be alone with her own thoughts. However, she was soon joined by Adam Cottingham. She managed to greet him with a smile.
‘You are to be congratulated,’ he remarked, sitting down beside her. ‘I do not know when I last saw Adversane so happy.’
Lucy looked across the room to where Ralph was talking with his brothers-in-law.
‘Do you think that is because of me, Mr Cottingham?’
‘Undoubtedly.’