Part 47 (1/2)

”No, ma'am, I thank you. I have work to do. I am not sure--' his gaze touched Polly's face briefly '--whether I shall return to Suffolk.”

”But you must come to the wedding!” Hetty said hopefully. She seemed to have almost recovered her spirits now that the dreadful truth had come to light and no one, not even the Dowager, had condemned her as a fallen woman.

Henry smiled.

”I should be very glad to do so if I can,” he said, 'and I wish you both very happy! ” There was an awkward silence after Nicholas had gone out to see Henry to his curricle. The Dowager Countess made some comment about the weather, indicating that the topic of the past fifteen minutes was now effectively closed. Hetty ventured a remark about the wedding arrangements and soon everyone was chatting about the rival merits of orange blossom or hot-house lilies to decorate the church. For a fantastical moment it seemed to Polly as though the whole episode had never even occurred. She was left to marvel at the swiftness with which the most enormous of family secrets could be swept successfully under the carpet.

Chapter Seventeen.

QysQ.

You are my only hope now, Polly! ” The Dowager Countess fixed her daughter with tragic dark eyes.

”I had every expectation of seeing Hetty and Peter married in London, but of course that is out of the question now! I was never more shocked in my life!

And Hetty the daughter of so respectable a man! There must have been some sad lack of guidance in her upbringing--perhaps the influence of that dreadful Cyprian,” the Dowager added thoughtfully, brightening at so plausible an explanation.

”I feel. Mama, that you should be laying the blame at Peter's door if you must apportion it anywhere,” Polly said firmly.

”He is the seducer, after all!”

”Yes, and in such a low place as that inn!” the Dowager mourned.

Polly hid a smile at the thought that Peter's behaviour would have been more acceptable had he chosen more salubrious surroundings.

”I do feel that Hetty should show a certain reticence,” the Dowager continued.

”Why, she behaves as though nothing has happened! It shows a certain unsteadiness of character!”

Polly thought that Hetty's ebullience sprang more from relief than a want of feeling.

”I am persuaded that Hetty's feelings are all that is proper,”

she said. ”She is very young, Mama, and is understandably excited about the wedding. Now, in what way am I your only hope?”

”Why, for a fas.h.i.+onable wedding, of course!” Happily, the Dowager was now diverted.

”First Nicholas and Lucille marry in that hole-in-the-comer fas.h.i.+on, and now Peter... But you will not disappoint me, I know! It is what your father would have wanted--' Polly was looking vaguely confused.

”But, Mama, I have no intention of getting married--' ” No intention! ”

The Dowager Countess laid aside the linen she had been folding for Hetty's trousseau. ” But surely it is as good as arranged? I a.s.sumed that Lord Henry was only waiting until he could wash his hands of this sordid affair with Tristan Dit ton! Surely--' ”You are mistaken.

Mama.” Polly got up hastily. In the five weeks since Henry March night had left Suffolk, she had had ample time to reflect on what had happened and resolve that she could never explain to her mother why such a match was now impossible.

”There never was an understanding between Lord Henry and myself--'

Polly steeled herself against the memory of that brief time when they had been in such perfect accord. ” And I would be astounded were he even to return to Dilling ham for the wedding next week! ” she finished with relief.

The Dowager raised her dark brows.

”Now there you are fair and far out!” she said triumphantly.