‘You have said as much before, sir, but I believe you are mistaken.’
‘You do not understand. I cannot speak here. Meet me at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. In the shrubbery, where we will not be overheard.’
She sat up very straight.
‘I do not think that is wise, sir. I beg you will say what you have to here, now.’
He gave a quick shake of his head.
‘I cannot, Adversane is watching us. But believe me when I say that you need to know this.’ He rose. ‘Tomorrow morning, Miss Halbrook.’
She watched him walk away and half expected Ralph to ask her what they had been talking of, but the party was breaking up. Adam collected his wife and retired, followed shortly by Caroline and Lord Wetherell. Lady Preston declared loudly that Charlotte needed to rest.
‘The next few days are important if you are to look your best for Midsummer’s Eve.’ She turned to her husband. ‘And you, sir, you will need some sleep if you are to walk to Druids Rock to see the sunrise.’
Sir James chuckled. ‘Well, I did think I might sit in the library and read by the light of one of Adversane’s new-fangled lamps. After all, it is hardly worth going to bed—the nights are so short.’
‘By all means, if that is what you wish,’ said Ralph mildly.
Lady Preston was adamant, however, and carried both her daughter and her husband away.
Sir Timothy grinned.
‘We know who rules the roost in that household! If you do not object, Adversane, I shall step out onto the terrace to smoke a cigar before I retire.’ He held out his hand to his wife. ‘Are you coming, Meg?’
She went willingly, leaving only Lucy, Ralph and Ariadne in the drawing room. Mrs Dean rose, smothering a yawn.
‘I shall go to bed, too,’ she said. ‘Shall you come with me, Lucy?’
Lucy began to follow her to the door, until Ralph detained her.
‘You go on up, Cousin. I will escort Lucy upstairs in a moment.’ Ralph added, when she hesitated. ‘It is customary to allow engaged couples a little time alone.’
Ariadne’s eyes narrowed.
‘And that is a crow I meant to pick with you, Adversane. About your betrothal. When did—?’
‘Yes, yes, but not tonight, it is far too late to explain it all.’ Ralph shepherded his cousin to the door. ‘Goodnight, Ariadne.’
When at last she had retired, he closed the door and stood for a moment with his back to it, regarding Lucy.
‘I thought I should never get you to myself.’
He took her hand and pulled her down beside him on one of the sofas. Lucy made a half-hearted protest, reminding him that Sir Timothy and Lady Finch were still on the terrace.
‘What of it?’ he muttered. ‘They will not come in for a while yet.’
He began nibbling her ear, causing such pleasurable sensations to course through her body that she forgot everything but the sheer pleasure of being in his arms. Her bones were liquefying, even before he moved his attention to her mouth. She returned his kiss, running her hands through his hair and turning her body into his, pressing against him as the familiar longing raged through her blood.
‘Enough,’ he muttered at last. ‘Enough, or I shall have to take you all over again.’
Reluctantly, she let him pull her to her feet.
‘I fear I must be sadly wanton,’ she said, sighing, ‘for there is nothing I would like more.’
‘Not until I have made an honest woman of you.’ He drew her into his arms, and they shared another long, lingering kiss. ‘But, by heaven, I am tempted to purchase a special licence to do it!’
A gurgle of laughter escaped her as she relished her power over him. They went out of the drawing room and up the grand staircase hand in hand.
‘I have business in Halifax tomorrow morning with Colne. Come with us,’ he urged her. ‘It should not take long, and the scenery is magnificent. You might bring your sketchpad.’
‘I should love to come with you, but Mrs Sutton is bringing the scarlet gown.’ She stopped. ‘I could send her word not to come.’
Even in the dim light she saw the shadow cross his face.
‘No, you need the gown for Midsummer’s Eve, so you must see Mrs Sutton tomorrow. I shall take you to Halifax another time.’
They were on the stairs, and she stepped up onto the next tread so that her eyes were level with his.
‘But why, Ralph? I have more than enough dresses—’
‘But that is the one to wear for the play. There is something I must know.’
‘If you are still in love with Helene, perhaps?’
The hard, distant look left him then. He cupped her face in his hands.
‘No, I promise you it is not that.’ Gently, he kissed her lips. ‘I must ask you to trust me, just a little longer. Will you do that?’
‘But I do not understand, Ralph. Why—?’
‘I will explain everything on Midsummer’s Day, I promise you.’ He gazed deep into her eyes. ‘Can you do that, Lucy? Can you trust me for just a little longer?’
‘Of course, but—’
He put his fingers against her lips.
‘No buts, my love. Trust me.’
* * *
He loves me, I am sure of it.
Lucy repeated the words to herself as Ruthie undressed her, but when she had blown out the candle and lay alone in the darkness, she questioned why, if she was to trust Ralph, he would not trust her with his reasons.
Unbidden, a memory came back to her. She was standing beside Mama on the pavement while the landlord piled their belongings around them.
‘I don’t understand, Mama. Why didn’t you tell me?’
It was only then, while they waited for Uncle Edgeworth to send his carriage to collect them, that Mama had told her the truth. Only then that she had trusted her daughter enough to share the pain that she had endured during those final years, shielding Lucy, telling her Papa was away painting while in fact he was gambling and drinking himself into a pauper’s grave.
Lucy turned her face to the pillow. Was it always to be thus, that those she loved most would not trust her?
* * *
The problem still nagged at her when she awoke the next day. She had arranged to go out with Caroline and Margaret after breakfast, and Ruthie had laid out her riding habit in readiness. As Lucy made her way downstairs she saw that it wanted but a few minutes to nine, the time Adam had suggested she meet him in the shrubbery. She had fully intended to stay away, certain that she did not want to hear what he had to say, but now instead of going to breakfast she made her way out to the gardens. Adam was Ralph’s cousin; he had known him all his life. Perhaps talking to him might help her to understand why Ralph would not confide in her.
She found Adam waiting for her at the entrance to the shrubbery. As she approached, he held his arm out to her.
‘Good morning, Miss Halbrook. It is such a lovely day no one will wonder at us strolling here, if we should be seen.’
After the briefest hesitation she stepped up beside him, placing her fingers on his sleeve.
‘Sir James will have witnessed a beautiful sunrise this morning.’
It