Part 30 (1/2)
”Come, you know that I travel widely and have many interests. Lady Polly! I am only teasing you!”
It was in some ways fortunate that they came across Mr Far rant and Lady Laura at that moment. The were standing before a small flock of chickens, apparently engrossed.
”The best you could buy, sir,” the poultry man was saying eagerly, 'and a better price you will not find---' ”Henry!” Lady Laura said, in horrified tones. Her gaze travelled to Polly and a deep blush came into her cheeks.
”Lady Polly, I thought--' ” I doubt Lady Polly wishes to hear your excuses now, Laura,” Henry said, fixing his sister with a cold, quelling gaze.
”You have used her most shamefully. As for you, Far rant--' Henry's gaze turned to the unlikely Romeo '--I should have expected better of you!”
Charles Far rant started to stammer apologies and Laura to cry quietly.
The poultry man took his cap off and scratched his head at this unexpected turn of events. They were attracting quite a lot of interest. Polly touched Henry's arm. She had seen the Dit tons, with their unerring instinct for scandal, approaching down the row of stalls.
”This will have to wait,” she whispered hastily.
”We must all pretend that we met up by chance, I think. Mrs Dit ton!”
She turned with a beaming smile to greet the lady.
”How glad I am to have found you again, ma'am! And only see, Mr Far rant and Lord Henry are here as well! How the good weather brings people out of doors!”
Henry was smiling a little at such inanity, but he followed Polly's lead easily enough.
”Far rant has told me that the Fairs here are renowned for their local colour, ma'am, and I thought to take a look. I am returned from Buckingham s.h.i.+re only yesterday...”
The image of Susanna Bolt came into Polly's mind again, incongruous amidst all the fresh air and sunlight. It could only serve to make her ill temper worse. Laura was sniffing a little and Polly took her arm, drawing her away from Miss Dit ton's prying eyes. Any enjoyment had gone from the day.
”I'm sorry,” Laura whispered as Polly hustled her back towards the carriages.
”It was not that I did not trust you, but Charles said I was not to tell anyone! I have been very foolish...”
unlikely that Lady Laura would be permitted to remain in Suffolk now that this not-so-secret romance had been found to be nouris.h.i.+ng, and Laura had not really done anything very bad. She looked at the girl's reddened eyes and noticed with a flash of irritation that Miss Dit ton was almost running in her attempt to catch up with them. The tears could not be concealed.
How then to explain them? Her talent for deception was being stretched to the limit.
”You should not believe all that the fortuneteller told you, Laura,”
she said loudly.
”I might have known that she would upset you!”
Miss Dit ton's avid face appeared over Laura's shoulder.
”Oh, whatever can she have said?” She asked eagerly.
”Dear Lady Laura, do tell!”
It was Lord Henry who answered, a hint of malice in his grey eyes.
”She told my sister to beware of false friends. Miss Dit ton, and to value true friends.h.i.+p above rubies!”
Chapter Ten.
QzrsQ It was a sad little party that made its way back to Wood bridge. Charles Far rant and the March nights had gone their separate ways, with Lady Laura still sniffing into her handkerchief.