Part 5 (1/2)

Across the dance floor, she could see that the Dowager Countess had finally finished her conversation and was glaring at her most meaningfully. Polly felt exasperated. Why had her mother not objected to the unwelcome attentions of the odious Sir Mar ma duke and yet had immediately perceived Lord Henry's arrival? It was most unfair. She deliberately looked the other way.

Lucille had once said, without an iota of partiality, hk that Lord Henry March night was the best-looking y man that she had ever seen.

Polly could certainly un; understand what she meant, for Lord Henry had the cla.s.sical regularity of feature beloved of all sculptors and } ; painters. His thick fair hair, immaculately ruffled in W , :. c the Windswept style, made ladies long to run their 5 '%! fingers through it. The lazy appraisal of those grey ; ;%S s? ; eyes could, as one infatuated maiden declared, positively cause one to swoon, and his sporting pursuits ”H.”.” f, had given him a physique envied by those less fa- s.

T”;!-i: : . voured.

”Are you really so dangerous then, sir?” Polly heard herself say.

Surely that could not be her voice, so light, so teasing? She never flirted!

”I am accounted dangerous, certainly. ” Lord Henry ,

})m pspnpul ”. , ” ,1 . . given her a quizzical glance, no doubt as surprised by Polly's flirtatious ness as she was herself. : I ;- ”A real tiger, then, not merely a p.u.s.s.ycat?”

This time Lord Henry's look was rather more searching.

”Have you been drinking the arrack punch, Lady Polly?”

”Certainly not.” Polly said with dignified aplomb. ”I had some delicious fruit cup, but what is that to the ” Ah, the fruit cup,” Lord Henry murmured with a slight smile.

”It is so refres.h.i.+ng, is it not? I see the Dowager Countess is looking daggers at us,” he continued indolently.

”I must shortly redeem myself in her eyes and return you to her unscathed!”

”Oh, no!” Polly had suddenly remembered that she had promised Lucille that she would speak to Lord Henry about a matter of importance. She frowned in concentration, trying to remember what exactly the issue had been. It was something potentially difficult. embarra.s.sing. but she did not feel embarra.s.sed at the moment, only marvellously liberated.

Her mind was a little fuzzy at the edges, perhaps, but she had not felt this confident in a long time! It was a moment before she realised that Lord Henry was looking at her with amus.e.m.e.nt.

”I beg your pardon. Lady Polly?”

”No, do not take me back just yet, sir!” Polly tried to grasp the appropriate words.

”I... there is a matter I need ... must discuss with you!”

”Indeed!” A faint smile touched Lord Henry's firm mouth once more.

”You intrigue me, madam! I am at your disposal, of course!”

The music was ending. Lord Henry gave her a mocking bow, taking her arm to escort her through the crowd and across to one of the silk-draped alcoves.

It was sufficiently far from her mother to make Polly feel much more confident. She could deal with this matter without the Dowager Lady Sea grave even realising!

Lord Henry stood aside for her to sit down first, but she made no move to do so. He raised an eyebrow.

”Well, Lady Polly? What is this urgent matter that demands our attention?

Will you not sit down so that I may at least do the same?”

Polly discovered that her thought processes were suddenly beautifully clear.

”I meant,” she said deliberately, 'that I needed to speak to you in private.

Not here. There are too many people about! ” This time. Lord Henry did not scruple to hide his surprise.