Part 36 (1/2)

”Yes,” Cecily whispered in that same tiny heartbroken voice.

Charlotte leaned back and closed her eyes. What was this terrible obsession that existed between the Inghams and the Swanns? Was it something in their blood? G.o.d knows what it is, she thought. But it pulls us together. We are irresistible to each other, and have been over many generations. Will it ever end? She knew it wouldn't, because they needed each other. Strange as that was, it was the truth.

”I want to ask you something, Cecily,” Charlotte began, and gave her a small smile. ”Have you and Miles...” She paused, and finally said, ”Been together? Had intercourse?”

”No!” Cecily cried. ”We haven't. He wouldn't do anything like that. He's a gentleman.”

Charlotte found it hard to believe they hadn't made love, but she made no comment for the moment. After a short while, she said, ”When you were twelve, you took the vow? Remember?”

”Yes, I do. Loyalty binds me, that's what I said. I will always be loyal to the Inghams, and even to Miles, because I took the oath.”

”That's what I'm thinking. Are you protecting him now? Are you saying you didn't sleep with him to protect him? From my anger? Or his father's anger?”

”No, I'm not,” Cecily answered with some vehemence. ”And if you don't believe me, Aunt Charlotte, you can take me to a doctor and have me examined. You'll soon know I speak the truth, that I'm a virgin.”

”I don't think I have to do that, Cecily. I believe you.”

”Thank you,” Cecily said, and gave her a wan little smile.

”You can't see him anymore, privately I mean. I'm sure you'll run into him at Cavendon, but you can't continue this ... romantic liaison. You can't become his mistress after he's married.”

”I wouldn't want to! I really wouldn't!” Cecily said quietly.

Charlotte looked at her. ”I'm so sorry, darling, so very sorry this happened. I tried to protect you. I got you away. I saw it happening even when you were children.” She shook her head helplessly.

”I know,” Cecily murmured, and then she looked into Charlotte's eyes, so like her own, and asked, ”Whatever am I going to do without him? I love him so much. He's part of me. Part of my heart and soul.” She began to weep.

Charlotte put her arms around Cecily and held her close. Twice in her life she had been where Cecily was now. Two Ingham men she had loved, and one she still loved. She had no answer. She was crying herself.

Ten minutes later, after they had both composed themselves, Charlotte said, ”Let me change the subject for a moment. I'd like to discuss business. To be precise, your business. The shop in Burlington Arcade to begin with. All right?”

”Yes, of course.”

”It is yours. The lease is in your name, and you have a five-year lease. The first year's rent is paid, and it will be paid by me for the next five years. And-”

”But Aunt Charlotte, I can't let you do that,” Cecily interjected. ”Not unless you become my partner.”

”I was just going to suggest that. I will be your financial, but silent, partner. You can run the business the way you see fit. And it is yours.” She moved slightly on the sofa, and went on, ”How much did DeLacy lend you to open the little shop?”

”About a thousand pounds, and then she gave me some extra money for fabrics. Altogether I owe her about fifteen hundred pounds,” Cecily explained.

”Is she a partner? Did you make a contract with her?”

”No, I didn't. Why?”

”I'm happy she just loaned you the money as a friend. Tomorrow I'll work out the interest you owe her. I will give you the money to repay her everything. I really don't want you to have any financial obligations to anyone out of the Swann family.”

”I understand. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

”I was leaving you this money in my will, better you have it now.” Charlotte sat up straighter on the sofa, and took Cecily's hand in hers again. ”You are nineteen years old, and your life is ahead of you. You have two choices, Cecily. You can grab hold of that life and make something of it. You have beauty and charm, but most important of all, you have a G.o.d-given talent that borders on genius. Or, if you prefer, you can yearn after Miles, become his mistress, and let everything else fall by the wayside. Which is it going to be?”

”I told him I wouldn't become his mistress, even though he didn't ask me. And I won't,” Cecily said in that vehement tone.

”He'll still come after you, Cecily. I know the Ingham men. They just can't resist Swann women. You'll have to be very strong.”

Cecily was silent. She knew her aunt spoke the truth.

After a while Charlotte said, ”Come on, give me an answer, Cecily. What's it going to be?”

”My choice is to become a famous fas.h.i.+on designer. A success.” She paused, took a deep breath, and said, ”I want to follow my dream. And I choose to walk alone.”

And she did.

Fifty-nine.

Miles was the first Ingham to arrive at Lord and Lady Meldrew's Mayfair house, located in Charles Street, just off Berkeley Square. It was his engagement party, after all, and he had to be there before everyone else, to greet the guests along with the Meldrews.

And so there he was, standing next to Lady Sara and Lord John, with Clarissa by his side. He had a confident smile on his face, but inside he was filled with dismay as he contemplated his future. No changing that, he thought, his smile growing wider.

He knew Clarissa was nervous about the imminent arrival of his family. He couldn't say he blamed her. The Inghams were something to behold. Many people were intimidated by them, because of their amazing looks, their standing in society, and their wealth, although they themselves played everything down.

Turning to Clarissa, he murmured, ”You know my sisters, Clarissa, and they're easy to get along with, so no worries. All right?” He raised a brow.

She nodded and replied, with a hint of humor, ”I do know your sisters, and DeLacy used to call me the Honorable Miss Mildew behind my back.”

Miles knew this was true, but he simply flashed her a bright smile, which was the only thing to do. There was nothing too terrible about Clarissa. She was a nice-looking, pleasant girl with an aristocratic background and wealthy parents. By nature she was shy, but once she relaxed she was easy to talk to, and get along with.

Most men would have been happy to marry her, would have leap-frogged over each other to get her to the altar. For him it was a duty. He loved someone else.

Just as he was wondering where his family was, they arrived all at once and all together, all of them blond and smiling and full of bonhomie.

His father strode across the hall, looking impossibly handsome and impeccably dressed, his natural charm engaging the Meldrews at once. He was accompanied by DeLacy and Dulcie, who was now twelve and a beauty. As DeLacy floated toward him, shod in pale blue silk shoes and wearing an extraordinary frock of mingled blues, Miles caught his breath. She looked absolutely stunning, and that frock was no doubt Cecily's creation. His heart clenched. Don't think of her, he warned himself sternly.

Once his father, DeLacy, and Dulcie had spoken to the Meldrews and Clarissa, they moved on, and entered the drawing room.

Hugo and Daphne were the next to walk in. His sister was as glorious as always, and extremely happy. She was four months pregnant with her third child, and Hugo looked as proud as Punch.

Following immediately behind came Great-Aunt Gwendolyn, wearing a flowing satin gown of her favorite royal purple, and enough diamonds to sink a battles.h.i.+p. But she carried them off with total aplomb, as only she could, the matriarch of the Ingham family.

Lady Gwendolyn was leaning on the arm of Diedre, to whom she was close. Diedre was also stunning this evening, and smiling for once. Miles was rather proud of his oldest sister, who was still working at the War Office and committed to her position, even though the war had been over for two years.