Part 13 (2/2)

I mean.

you're divorced.

' ”There are, I believe, clergy who will marry a divorced person even though it isn't the usual rule.

What about your local vicar?

' ”We could ask.

Isn't there a Service of Blessing we could have if we have to go to a registrar's office?

' ”So I've heard.

Shall I find out and let you know?

' ”Please.

I'll have to give in my notice.

' ”Tomorrow morning if you could manage that.

Must it be a month?

' They were strolling along now, the sun warm on them and a nice little

breeze blowing Alethea's already untidy hair into still more curls.

”Well, I have two weeks' holiday due, which means that I could leave in a fortnight.

' ”Will you arrange that?

I shall be at Theobald's for the next week, then I have to go back to Holland for a few days.

I'll come over for you when you're free and you can spend a week there and then return here and I'll come over for the wedding.

Would that suit you?

' He seemed to have it all planned very nicely.

Just for a second she wondered if it would have been like that if it was Nick she were marrying and not this quiet, persistent man beside her.

He was being very businesslike about it, but then did she want it

otherwise?

She sighed without knowing it and he said: ”Don't allow your thoughts to wander, Alethea, regretting the past will make it harder to bear.

' He stopped again and took her gently by the shoulders and turned her round to face him.

”Could you turn the page?

' he asked softly.

”It needs courage, but it can be done.

' He bent and kissed her lightly on her cheek.

”There's a seal on our friends.h.i.+p.

' Alethea studied him at length.

”You're a very nice person,” she told him.

”You're sure about it?

I mean, you're not getting much of a bargain.

' ”T hardly think of you as a bargain, my dear; rest a.s.sured that I am getting exactly what I want.

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