Part 13 (1/2)

”I have only enough of my allowance left for one purchase,” she said regretfully.

”Oh, look at those beautiful silk gloves! Now I am in a quandary!”

Lucille laughed.

”Do you need any of these things?”

”Oh, no! At least--' Polly wrinkled up her nose.

”Not need, precisely, but it would be pleasant to have them! Am I monstrously extravagant?”

Lucille, who privately thought that her sister-in-law was surprisingly un spoilt for all her privileged upbringing, rea.s.sured her that this was not the case at all.

Once the reticule had been settled upon and bought, and they were walking on, Lucille said suddenly, ”I was attending to you really! What is it that she will warn you about, Polly?”

Polly looked puzzled, then her face cleared.

”Oh, about Lord Henry March night! In fact, I am surprised that Mama has not spoken before now!

It is unlike her to allow me so much licence! ” In the previous two weeks. Lord Henry had been much in evidence in Brook Street, calling on Polly, taking her riding or driving, accompanying her to routs, parties and picnics. Polly had tried to take his attentions lightly but it was becoming increasingly difficult not to think that he might have serious intentions and, oddly, Lucille's next words echoed this.

”I believe that your mama is in a dilemma, Polly,” she said thoughtfully.

”She feels that she should warn you against Lord Henry's advances, but she cannot quite disabuse herself of the hope that he is in earnest!

Not even your mama is prepared to offend the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of March night by suggesting that one of their sons is not a suitable match for her daughter!”

Polly bit her lip.

”Do you truly think... I try not to let myself hope too much, but--'

She broke off.

”I dare say I should not set too much store by his behaviour. After all, he is a shocking flirt!”

”He has not flirted with anyone else since he started to pay serious court to you,” Lucille pointed out quietly.

The colour flooded Polly's face, then receded to leave her very pale.

”No, that's true! I had not thought... But perhaps he is only flirting with meY ” You may judge for yourself whether Lord Henry is sincere,”

Lucille said with a little smile, 'for I see him coming this way!”

It was true. Lord Henry March night, in company with the Vereys and a young lady of schoolroom appearance, was sauntering along the pavement towards them. Polly saw him quicken his step as he caught sight of them and the two parties met and greeted each other with unaffected pleasure.

”Lady Sea grave! Lady Polly!” Lord Henry was smiling at Polly in a way that made her feel suddenly rather hot.

”What good fortune!” He turned to the very young lady by his side.

”May I make you known to my sister Laura?”

Laura March night, simply but expensively clad in the demure apparel of the debutante, dropped a shy curtsy. She was a sweet-looking girl with the same corn-coloured hair and grey eyes as her brother. Polly remembered hearing that Lady Laura was delicate and had recently returned from a trip to Bath Spa with her mother, where the medicinal waters had apparently done wonders for her health.