Part 9 (2/2)
”I think we will be very happy here together, ” the Viscount continued, ”our interests are the same, and I know, Astara, that I will make you happy.”
He spoke with an obvious confidence and Astara knew that he was supremely sure of himself and of her answer.
”Please, William, ” she said after a moment, ”do not ... say any more ... it is... too soon ... much too soon for me to ... makeup my mind.
”Then suppose you let me make it up for you? Or rather talk to Uncle Roderick? He is convinced that we are eminently suited to each other, but what is more important is that we should both of us be similarly sure of our future happiness. ”
He put out his arm to encircle Astara s waist, but as he did so she rose to her feet.
”It is ... too soon, ” she said.
As she spoke her eyes were drawn towards the picture over the mantelpiece.
She seemed to remember reading that all three of the G.o.ddesses had been confident that they would receive the apple from Paris, not through conceit in their beauty, but knowing that in addition _what each had to offer him was of supreme importance.
She stood looking up at Hera remembering how she had said in an attempt to influence Paris's decision: ”If you will award the prize to me I will make you Lord over all Asia!”
That, Astara told herself, was what William was offering her.
Almost as if he read her thoughts he said: ”As my wife you will be able to entertain everybody of importance in London from the King, who has always given me his friends.h.i.+p, to the very cream of the Beau Monde.
He paused. Then as if his own imagination was excited by the prospect ahead he continued: ”You will be able to rival all the other great hostesses the d.u.c.h.ess of Devons.h.i.+re or Lady Bessborough and we will see that the parties in our London house surpa.s.s them all!”
In a quiet voice Astara enquired: ”That is what you want?”
She did not turn her head but she was sure there was a smile on the Viscount's lips as he replied: ”There are many other things. I want to enlarge and improve my stable so that I can carry off the prizes at all the great races.”
As if this suggested he was thinking only of himself he added hastily: ”I know that you are fond of horses and I think you can trust my judgement to find that you will enjoy riding and driving. And my coach-builders will make you the fastest and smartest curricle that has ever been seen in the Park.”
He certainly put a good case for himself, Astara thought dispa.s.sionately.
He was waiting for an answer but when she did not speak he rose and came to stand just behind her.
”There are other things that will interest us both,” he said, ”but of course the most important is love.”
He turned her round as he spoke and she saw that she had been right in thinking there was a smile on his lips.
There was also a certain glint in his eye and she questioned whether it was entirely one of love.
She could not help feeling that he had thrilled to his own description of what their lives together could mean. He put his arms around her. But when he bent his head to kiss her lips, moving smoothly with an expertise that she felt 'had something almost too professional about it, she freed herself and walked away towards the window.
”Astara!”
There was undoubtedly a note of surprise in William's exclamation.
”I have told you, ” she said. ”It is too soon. We do not know each other well enough. ”
”I know you! I know you are everything I want - the woman who will bear my name and with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life. ”
He was too glib in the way he spoke, which Astara told herself grated on her, although perhaps she was being unreasonable and over-critical.
She stood looking out into the garden.
It was so beautiful, so romantic, and she thought that if she had been a man about to propose to a woman she would have made some excuse to take her outside And let the sinking sun and the twinkling stars speak far more eloquently than any words could do.
”You are being evasive, Astara,” William said as he joined her at the window, ”but I understand. Getting married is a very big step for a woman.”
”As it is for a man?”
”Of course!” he answered., ”But when a man finds the ideal person with whom he wishes to share his life, it is easy for him to make up his mind quickly and decisively. ”
”I appreciate that,” Astara said, ”and thank you for offering me the position of being your wife, but I still need more time to think about it.”
”How long?”
She sensed the impatience behind the question and she smiled as she answered: ”What are a few hours, a few days, a few months, compared to the years we may spend in each other's company? ”
”I will try to possess my soul in patience,” William said, ”but do not keep me waiting too long.”
He took her hand and raised it to his lips and as he did so to Astara s relief Sir Roderick and Lionel came into the Salon.
”You are looking at the stars?” Sir Roderick enquired as he crossed the room.
”It is very beautiful to-night, Uncle Roderick,” Astara said, ”and as you see, the sky is red - 'Red sky at night is a shepherd's delight!' ”
She thought as she spoke that it would be fine to-morrow and therefore easy for her to go to Vulcan as she had promised to do.
She had no idea how it could be arranged without Sir Roderick being curious about her movements, but on one thing she was quite determined - she must not make William or Lionel suspicious that she was seeing their cousin.
She was sure that if she was wise she would tell Vulcan the truth about her ident.i.ty, and tell him that lying on his desk was a very interesting invitation which could affect his whole life.
But she had the uncomfortable feeling that he might not be interested.
There was nothing about him to suggest that he was short of money and she was quite certain he had not written his book in order to make any.
”It is my turn to talk to you,” Lionel said in her ear, ”and you promised that I could teach you 'Piquet '
”I have not forgotten,” Astara replied, ”so let me have my first lesson now. I am quite sure it is an accomplishment in which I am sadly lacking.”
She realised that William was annoyed that she should move from his side with obviously no regrets.
She felt he was used to the type of woman who fawned on him and would not leave his side if there was a chance of their being together either alone or in company.
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