Part 50 (1/2)

”You look utterly delightful. Lady Polly! Perhaps you would care to join me on the balcony whilst you dry off?”

Before Polly had chance to demur and effect a discreet withdrawal, he had scooped her up in his arms and carried her up the ladder and out on to the balcony. There was another blanket and a couple of cus.h.i.+ons on the bare boards and the remains of what looked like Henry's breakfast.

For a long time they sat together under the shelter of the eaves, watching the rain upon the river. Neither of them spoke. Polly was possessed by the most extraordinary feeling of peacefulness and did not wish to break the spell.

Eventually the rain retreated and the first streaks of pale blue sky appeared again. She stirred.

”Whatever are you doing here, Harry? I thought that you had gone...”

Henry gestured towards the rod and line lying discarded on the edge of the balcony.

”I was fis.h.i.+ng:-- until you came to disturb the peace of my retreat!”

He hesitated.

”Truth to tell, I was thinking...” He shot Polly a glance.

”I was coming to see you later, but you have beaten me to it.”

The sun came out suddenly, swirling across the dark river water and dazzling them.

Polly suddenly found that she could not meet his eyes.

”What were you coming to discuss with me?” she asked shyly, tracing a pattern in the dust with one finger.

”I thought--last night you intimated that there was nothing more to say.”

Henry s.h.i.+fted a little, leaning back against the wall. ”Yes, that was wicked of me. I could no more lose you now than I could cut out a part of myself.

Please--' suddenly there was raw feeling in his voice '--tell me that we may put all the misunderstanding and misery behind us and that you will marry me.”

At last Polly was able to look at him, but with astonishment rather than anything else.

”But I haven't had chance to explain why I did not tell you--' she began.

”I don't need explanations.” Henry took her hand in his and drew her closer.

”I knew last night that you trusted me enough for me to be the first one you came to with a secret. That is enough for me. I know that you must love me as much as I love you.”

”Harry--' Polly's voice broke.

”I believe you are almost too forgiving...”

His strained face broke into a smile.

”Do you feel that I should castigate you for the business with Tristan Dit ton? I had felt that we had grown closer over the past few months and the business with Dit ton did set me back.” He grimaced.

”I did not understand-- still do not, to tell the truth--why you could not confide in me. You must have known that I would not have shamed Miss Mark ham by making the knowledge public, and yet you did not trust me--' The pain in his voice caused Polly to look up at last.

”I wanted to tell you,” she said hesitantly.