Lady Polly Part 32

"You certainly seemed fascinated by whatever you discovered on the beach just now, my lord!" she said, a little snappishly.

"What was it? A piece of driftwood? A message in a bottle?"

"I do believe you are essaying satire. Lady Polly," Lord Henry said admiringly.

"But you should not mock me, you know! I was investigating a tale I had heard, which was that there is a secret pa.s.sageway from the House of Tides out under the cliffs. I think I may have found the entrance!

Would you like to see?"

"A secret pa.s.sageway?" Polly was curious despite herself.

"You mean--for smuggled goods?"

"No doubt that was what it was used for some years ago," Lord Henry agreed, 'although there's precious little to be gained from such a trade now that the excise duties are so reduced. I imagine the pa.s.sage to have been silted up for some time, but it is interesting, is it not?

I must ask Lady Belling ham's permission to investigate further. Would you care to see the cave entrance? " "I think not," Polly said severely.

"To go in there with you would be the utmost folly!"

Lord Henry grinned.

"Perhaps you are right, ma'am! Ah well, I see I must continue my investigations alone! And no doubt I should return you to your party now.

They must be becoming anxious of your whereabouts."

There was no sign of the others as they re trod the springy turf path back to where Polly had left her paints and paper. Lord Henry viewed her drawings with undisguised interest.

"This is very pretty," he commented, pointing to a sketch of the tumbledown cottages, their washing blowing against the blue sky.

"But this..." he paused 'this has real depth and pa.s.sion. The earth colours, the texture. It is a very sensuous picture. " His gaze dwelt thoughtfully on her for a moment and Polly hurriedly covered the painting up.

It was a country picture that she had drawn a few weeks previously, a study of the fields and woods about Dilling ham, but instead of her usual pastels she had used oil paints and the effect had been startling. The rich reds and browns had given the painting a tactile quality, as though one could almost step into the picture. Polly was not quite comfortable with it.

The breeze was becoming fresher now and Lord Henry was frowning a little as he scanned the eastern horizon.

"I do believe we are in for a storm. Do you see those clouds ma.s.sing out at sea? Where are your carriages, ma'am?"

Polly turned.

"I think they must have gone down to the village to collect the others, sir.

But it is only a step. Perhaps if I follow them down--' The first drop of rain landed on her drawing paper, apparently out of the blue sky.

It was followed by another and another. The wind had suddenly become strong.

Polly bent to scoop up her scattered paints and paper and stuff them all into her portfolio. The easel blew over with a sudden crack, making her jump.

"We had best seek shelter," Lord Henry said, all hint of easy amus.e.m.e.nt gone from his tone.

"No, it is too far to the village. The House of Tides is nearer.

Hurry, please!"

Polly could understand his urgency. She had no coat to protect her, and already the rain was heavier. The sky over the sea had turned a leaden grey.

She could not believe how quickly the weather had changed and now the air was heavy with the threat of thunder.

The first nicker of lightning touched the sky as they reached the edge of Lady Belling ham's land. Polly was almost in a panic now. She hated thunderstorms and the ones that rolled in from the sea could be particularly fierce.

"Not far now." Henry's voice was rea.s.suring.

"We will go in the back way, through the shrubbery, as it's closer."

He held the little gate open for her and they slipped through as the rain began to pour in earnest. Polly, clutching her soaking portfolio and box of crayons under her arm, wondered briefly what on earth Lady Belling ham would make of the arrival of two such drowned rats. She had only met her ladyship a couple of times for, though travelling copiously. Lady Belling ham was virtually a recluse when she was in Suffolk.

Henry helped Polly up on to the terrace with a hand under her elbow.

The steps were slippery in the rain and she almost stumbled.

Then the French windows were flung open before them and Lady Belling ham's rich contralto tones, warm with amus.e.m.e.nt, said, "Well, upon my word!

Apollo and Niobe! Or am I mixing my Greeks and Romans? I was never very good at mythology, alas! " Polly, regardless of her dripping clothes, found herself engulfed in a huge scented embrace. Lady Bel- ling ham's many colourful scarves wafted about her like a ma.s.sive sheet.

"Dear child!" her ladyship said fondly.

"How delightful to see you again!

And Henry! " Now there was a roguish twinkle in her dark eyes, "You have been away too long, dear boy!"

There was a fearsome clap of thunder overhead. Polly jumped violently.

"Come in, come in!" Lady Belling ham urged, stepping back so that they could go into the drawing- room.

"We have come to throw ourselves on your mercy, Lady Belling ham,"

Henry said with a smile, pushing the soaking hair back out of his eyes.

"Lady Polly and I were taking a stroll on the cliffs when the storm came up, and we thought to seek shelter here. Lady Polly has become separated from her party in all the confusion. I apologise for the imposition."

"Nonsense, dear boy, and you know it!" Lady Bel- ling ham clapped her hands so that her bracelets jingled loudly. A fat white cat, asleep on a puffy sofa, raised its head briefly before closing its eyes again with the most perfect indifference.

"I adore excitement, as you know," she continued, eyes sparkling, 'and I lead such a retired life usually. Your arrival is most timely for I was about to succ.u.mb to ennui. I shall rely on you for all the gossip in recompense! " Her eye fell on Polly, dripping quietly on to the carpet.

"Dear me! I should not keep you talking or you will catch a chill!

Now, I will take Lady Polly away to change her clothing and Gaston, my general factotum, will fetch some dry things for you, my dear Henry!

Then he can go and see if he can find trace of your friends, my dear."

She smiled at Polly.

"I am sure we can reunite you all soon!"

She swept Polly out of the room, paused briefly in the hall to summon Gaston and give him her instructions, then whisked Polly off up the ornate staircase to a small bedroom decorated in the French fashion.

Polly stared at her reflection in the pier gla.s.s with something approaching horror. Her hair was straggling around her face, drying in wisps, and her clothes were sticking to her. She was not normally vain, but she could hardly bear to think of Lord Henry seeing her thus.