Part 5 (2/2)

”You are also risking your life.”

”One does not think about that at the time. Afterwards, if one is still alive, one thanks G.o.d for the fact, but when actually fighting a soldier is concerned only with being the victor. ”

She saw by the light in his eyes and by hearing the enthusiasm in his voice that he was right when he said it was an exhilarating experience.

She liked the way he was honest about himself and his interests. She liked too the way he looked at her because there was something open and almost boyish about it.

”I must say you are a surprise, ” he said. ”I very nearly did not come here, but I am extremely glad now that I did.”

”You would have refused your uncle's invitation? ”

”I thought there was not much point in my answering it as William was coming too.”

Astara looked at him with a smile on her lips as he explained ”You see, William is such a h.e.l.l of a chap, a Corinthian and all that sort of thing, that I do not get much of a chance to s.h.i.+ne.”

”I have a feeling you do so in battle, ” Astara said.

”I enjoy myself in the Regiment, but when it comes to social success, well William is always there first.”

”I think you are being ultra-modest. Uncle Roderick said some very nice things about you, and if you take my advice you will be yourself and not worry about your cousin.” ”Do you mean that?”

There was an eagerness in Lionel's voice which told her she had said more than she intended.

She had not in fact been thinking of him as a suitor, but merely as a rather engaging young man who had an inferiority complex where his cousin was concerned.

Now she thought almost in dismay that she had perhaps encouraged him too obviously.

”I may be mistaken,” she said quickly, ”but perhaps it would be wise if we made no decisions about each other or about William until we all know each other better.”

”I feel I know you already,” Lionel said, ”and I am quite certain of one thing.”

”What is that?” Astara asked.

”That I am going to make the very best of my chances before William and every daring young Buck in London s.n.a.t.c.hes you away from under my very nose!”

Astara laughed, for she could not help it.

Then as Sir Roderick and William came back into the Salon from the terrace she saw the expression on the Viscount's face and realised that he was annoyed.

CHAPTER THREE.

Astara entered the shadows of the trees and started to walk along the mossy path which led through the wood towards Little Milden.

She had just seen Sir Roderick, William and Lionel off from the front door.

They had decided to visit the Horse Fair in Potters Bar which took place twice a year. The Viscount had told his uncle there were sometimes decent horses to be found there, especially foals.

”A friend of mine purchased a horse there four years ago which has now won him five races,” he said. ”It is not in the top cla.s.s, but undoubtedly it was an outstanding bargain Sir Roderick's interest was aroused and so was Lionel's. ”Let us go and have a look at what we can find” he said quickly. ”There are several chaps in my Regiment in need of cheap horses at the moment. If I can provide what they want, I might make a little on each purchase.”

His uncle smiled.

”That is the right idea, my boy! Always turn an honest penny when you can.”

”I am actually looking for some mares,” the Viscount said in a lofty manner as if the idea of making a profit on a horse had never entered his mind.

”It will be amusing even if we find nothing which is good enough for us,” Sir Roderick said. He smiled at Astara as he asked: ”Will you excuse us for one afternoon, my dear? I do not think a Horse Fair is the right place for you.”

”Certainly not!” the Viscount agreed positively before Astara could speak ”It can be very rough and there are often fights among the Gypsies.”

Astara thought a little wistfully that she might find it interesting.

But as it was quite obvious that the gentlemen did not want her she acquiesced gracefully and after they had finished luncheon waved them good-bye from the steps of the house.

She had however had an idea of how she might spend the afternoon and now was the moment to put it into operation.

She was well aware that in the last three days they had been staying at Worfield House both the Viscount and his cousin, Lionel, were wooing her arduously.

They were very circ.u.mspect, especially when they were present together, trying to appear as if they were not concerned with stealing a march on each other.

But whenever it was possible they paid her effusive compliments and made their intentions very clear.

She felt however that William was quite confident that she would accept his invitation to be his wife, and that when the time came he would take Sir Roderick's place as owner of the house and the Estate.

Occasionally she even detected him slipping up in some-thing he said and forgetting to disguise his eagerness to be the possessor not only of herself but of his uncle's wealth.

”I shall than a that,” he had said last night in an unguarded moment.

It had been when they were talking of a feast that was given every Michaehnas to the farmers.

There was a little pause after he had spoken and he added: ”I think it is a custom which is kept over a great deal of the country and is in fact a waste of time and money. The labourers, I am convinced, in most cases would rather have the money in their pocket.”

Sir Roderick started to argue with him that the feast and the festivities broke the monotony of a working man's life, especially when he lived in the country, and Astara wondered later whether her uncle had realised exactly what William had implied.

She felt however that both Sir Roderick and William himself were pus.h.i.+ng her towards a decision and she had not yet made up her own mind which of the two applicants for her hand she really preferred.

There was no doubt that the Viscount was magnificent and she could understand that his sportsmans.h.i.+p and the fact that he was a Corinthian, a leader of the 'Four-in-Hand Club, and an outstanding amateur pugilist appealed to her uncle.

He was certainly handsome to look at and she was sure that under his tight-fitting, well-tailored coat he had rippling muscles which her father had always told her were a tailor s nightmare.

Yet when they all rode together in the mornings she thought that perhaps Lionel was the better rider of the two.

He looked as if he were part of his horse and she had the impression that animals responded to him with affection while they merely obeyed William.

But she was not completely certain of anything about the two twins.

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