Lady Polly Part 67

"What good fortune!" He turned to the very young lady by his side.

"May I make you known to my sister Laura?"

Laura March night, simply but expensively clad in the demure apparel of the debutante, dropped a shy curtsy. She was a sweet-looking girl with the same corn-coloured hair and grey eyes as her brother. Polly remembered hearing that Lady Laura was delicate and had recently returned from a trip to Bath Spa with her mother, where the medicinal waters had apparently done wonders for her health.

"We were just planning an outing to Richmond," Henry was saying, his gaze still fixed rather disconcertingly on Polly.

"Tomorrow, if the weather stays fair. We would be delighted if you were able to join us--' he turned courteously to Lucille '--and Lord Sea grave as well, of course, if he is free."

Lucille, who had been exchanging a few words with Therese and Simon Verey, looked rueful.

"We are promised for a visit tomorrow and cannot cry off," she said apologetically, 'but I am persuaded that Polly would be able to make up one of your party. What do you think, Polly? Are you already engaged for tomorrow? " Polly shook herself out of the slight confusion which Lord Henry's presence always seemed to stir up in her.

"Oh, no... yes... indeed! I have no other plans! I should be delighted!"

Therese Verey smiled.

"I am sure your mama will let me stand as chaperon!

Laura is to accompany us, and Simon's sister Jane Delahaye, and one or two others. It will be great fun! " "We thought to ride," Lord Henry murmured.

"I understand that you are a keen horsewoman. Lady Polly. Would such a plan meet with your approval?"

Polly turned her glowing face to his.

"Oh, indeed, that would be most enjoyable! I have missed riding out since I have been up in Town!"

They parted in mutual accord, having agreed that Lord Henry would call for Polly in his phaeton and drive her to Richmond. The Vereys undertook to provide the horses from Simon's extensive stables and Polly started to look forward to the excursion very much. She hurried home to review her wardrobe, certain that she had absolutely nothing to wear that was worthy of a trip to Richmond with Lord Henry March night.

After she had considered every dress she owned, draping them over the bed and holding them up in the nun-or, a grumbling Jessie pointed out that she would be wearing a riding habit anyway.

That meant a choice of green, red or navy blue and Polly chose the blue, then spent almost the entire evening at the musicale they were all attending, wondering whether she had made the correct choice. She was then struck by the awful thought that it might rain on the morrow even though it had not done so for several weeks. All in all, it was a wonder she had any sleep that night.

Fortunately, it proved to be the most perfect day for a ride. Polly had greatly enjoyed the drive to Richmond and the party had met up at the Roe hampton Gate, taken a ride to Pen Ponds and were now turning back for a cold collation at the Star and Garter Inn.

"I had no idea that you were such an accomplished rider, ma'am," Henry March night said to Polly as, out of breath and laughing with exhilaration, she slowed to a canter as the Gate came in sight once more.

"I had heard that you were keen, but the two are not always synonymous!

I should have suggested such an outing much sooner!"

His frank gaze admired the colour in her cheeks and the brightness of her eyes.

"It is pleasant to escape the confines of the Town, is it not?"

Something in his tone reminded Polly of the night at Hamp stead Wells, when Henry had told her that she was a rebel by nature. Certainly her unrestrained enjoyment of a gallop through the park seemed to prove his point. They had not approached the intimacy of that night at Hamp stead again; indeed. Henry seemed very careful to avoid any behaviour that could be construed as questionable. He made sure that they were never alone together and he treated Polly with utmost propriety. She found his behaviour puzzling, to say the least. She sensed that it did not come naturally to him to keep himself on so tight a rein, and yet she was half-grateful that he did not attempt to shorten the distance between them. She was confused by her feelings for him. On the one hand she wanted more, far more, from him, but she was still held back by the constraints of her upbringing.

Now, to give herself time, she turned away and studied the sweep of the land towards the river, the charming little woods scattered about them and the herds of deer grazing peacefully in the distance.

"Have you seen John Boy dell's aqua tints of the river?" Lord Henry said casually, slowing his horse to a walk to allow the rest of the group to catch them up.

"They are held to be very pretty, I believe."

"Yes," Polly smiled.

"They are quite charming. And it is such fun to be able to match his pictures to all the places along the river, but I do believe that he gives a more rural feel to the prints than is truly accurate!"

"I must suppose that anyone brought up in Suffolk considers the area around London to be too close to the city to be truly rural," Lord Henry observed.

"And no doubt I shall shortly be reminded of the difference for myself.

Were you aware that we are to spend some time near Wood bridge this summer? My mother has decided that it would be good for Laura's health to go to the seaside, but to avoid crowds and excitement."

There was something dry in his tone which suggested to Polly that Henry had very similar views to her own on the d.u.c.h.ess of March night's mollycoddling of her youngest daughter. Lady Laura was a little ahead of them now on her grey mare, her charming countenance turned towards young Lord Blakeney, who was evincing every sign of pleasure at being her chosen escort. Certainly Laura looked the picture of health and was revelling in the outing and the company.

"I am sorry that Lady Laura has been unwell," Polly said cautiously, 'but she seems much recovered now. The waters at Bath must have a remarkably curative effect! And I hope," she added hastily, seeing Henry's look of amus.e.m.e.nt, 'that she will find Suffolk similarly restorative and not too dull!"

"Alas, I am the one who is likely to find the country slow," Henry said humourously, 'especially as it will be devoid of your presence, Lady Polly, which is the only thing that might have made it tolerable for me! " Polly could not help blushing. She was also regretting rather strongly the Dowager Countess's avowed intent of spending the summer in Bright on.

Perhaps she could contrive a stay at Dilling ham? But she did not want Lord Henry to feel too encouraged. "Nonsense, Lord Henry," she said bracingly.

"You have told me many times that you consider Suffolk a vastly pleasant county! I am sure you will find plenty to amuse you there!"

Lord Henry's lips twitched.

"It was such a pretty compliment too," he murmured.

"I am sorry it did not please you."

Polly tried not to smile.

"It was very pretty," she agreed solemnly, 'but I was not sure how much it was worth! " Lord Henry burst out laughing.

"I cannot put you out of countenance, can I, Lady Polly? You may take it as true--I should be very sorry to spend the summer months out of your company!"

Fortunately for Polly's composure, Therese Verey brought her horse alongside at that point and Henry fell back to talk to Simon. They clattered into the yard of the Star and Garter and were pleased to find themselves expected and a delicious cold collation laid out on trestles in the garden. Polly, drawn into conversation with Therese and Jane Delahaye over the meal, only noticed Lord Henry's absence as the party gathered itself to depart.

"Where is Henry?" Lady Laura asked innocently, as they walked slowly through the arch into the inn courtyard.

"He was here a moment ago! I thought-- Oh!"

"Rather showy," Polly heard Simon Verey say to Lord Blakeney, 'and too short of bone-- Oh, I say! " The scene in the courtyard appeared to have a similar effect on all members of the party. One moment, Polly thought, they had been chatting amongst themselves and the next they had all fallen into horrified silence.

There was a carriage drawn up in the yard, pulled by the four showy white horses which Lord Verey had just been disparaging. Lord Henry March night was leaning against the side of the coach and chatting to its occupant, a smile of appreciation on his lips. As he saw the group emerge from the garden he straightened up and Polly saw a fleeting look of annoyance cross his face as though he had no wish to be interrupted.

A moment later, the lady in the carriage had leaned out and, taking Henry by surprise, planted a lingering kiss on his mouth.

There was no doubt that Lady Bolt had staged the action for maximum effect.

From within the carriage she would have seen Henry's companions emerge through the archway and her sense of malice had done the rest. And whilst Henry moved away from her as quickly as he could, the damage was done. All the witnesses had an image of Lady Bolt's hands resting lightly on Henry's shoulders as she lowered her smiling scarlet mouth to his for several long seconds. Polly winced at the sight.

After that, everything became a little confused. Lady Bolt's carriage rolled out of the yard, rather in the manner of the wicked fairy vanishing in a pantomime. Simon Verey had a quick word with Henry, who seemed to disappear as quickly as Lady Bolt had done.