Part 9 (1/2)

”I am persuaded that nothing so very dreadful can happen in the park, ma'am,”

she said mildly to her mother-in-law.

”There will be plenty of people about, after all.”

The Dowager cast her a darkling look.

”You have no idea of what that man is capable, Lucille! And it is not simply the risk to Polly's person, but the damage to her reputation! If she is seen in company with him, all claim to respectability would be lost--' ” Oh, come.

Mama, you are making too much of this,” Nicholas interrupted.

”Harry March night is a good enough fellow! He will not do anything to injure Polly's good name! I say she should go!”

He folded his paper up a little irritably, got up, bent to kiss his wife and murmured that he was taking refuge in his book room.

”Some honey in your tea, ma'am?” Lucille said hastily, seeing her mother-in-law glare at Sea grave's departing back.

”You know that it is very soothing for the headache.”

The Dowager Countess smiled reluctantly. She was very fond of her unconventional daughter-in-law.

”Thank you, Lucille. It is good to know that you have so much concern for my health when my own brood seem set on tormenting me! Now, will you be accompanying me to Mrs Man bury's this afternoon? I realise that Polly--' she glared again '--will be otherwise engaged!”

Polly was to remember Sea grave's unlikely championing and her mother's reluctant acquiescence later, when she was ensconsed in Lord Henry's perch phaeton and they were bowling along under the trees. They were attracting a great deal of attention from the fas.h.i.+onable crowds who had come to take the air and Polly had begun to wish that she had taken her mother's advice. She felt uncomfortable as the focus of so much speculative interest. Nor did Lord Henry stop to greet his acquaintance, but concentrated his attention solely on her. Polly thought she should have been flattered. Instead, such single-minded attention was beginning to make her nervous. She was suddenly unsure where it was leading--or where it might end.

And yet Lord Henry's conversation was unexceptionable. Surely she had nothing to fear.

”Are you enjoying the Season?” he enquired, expertly avoiding an oncoming vehicle which was being driven with considerably less skill and more waywardness than his own.

”Do you like London?”

Polly relaxed slightly. It was most enjoyable to be out in the fresh air, for it was another sunny day with a cool breeze and to be driven with such expertise was a real pleasure.

”Are those not two entirely separate questions, my lord?” she queried with a smile.

”I have found the Season a little flat this year, but yes, I like London a great deal, for there are so many beautiful buildings and interesting sights to observe. There, will that do?”

Lord Henry took his eyes off the road for long enough to give her an amused glance.

”Most comprehensively answered, my lady, but with little real information given! Why has the Season been so tedious for you?”

Polly shrugged a little uncomfortably, regretting her flippancy. She had no desire to sound like a spoilt Society miss.

”Well, the round of parties and b.a.l.l.s and entertainments is much like it was last time. Perhaps I am becoming a little jaded after all these years--' Lord Henry burst out laughing.

”Yes, you have a great many years in your dish, ma'am!” He lowered his voice.

”Perhaps it is just that you need a change of scene? Do you go to Bright on in the summer?”

Polly nodded without much enthusiasm.