Part 63 (1/2)

”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.

”We do. But it is the same people and the same diversions!” She brightened.

”I love the sea though, and find the air most refres.h.i.+ng. I don't know why I should not be looking forward to it...” Her voice trailed away.

She was regretting telling him of her boredom with the endless, superficial round of society events, for it sounded as though she were simply complaining.

”Perhaps you prefer the country?” Lord Henry was saying thoughtfully.

”Suffolk is a beautiful place to be. You seemed very happy at Dilling ham last year.”

”Yes...” Polly smiled '. I love Dilling ham. I can ride, and paint and walk and please myself. ” Lord Henry flashed her another smile.

”So you are a rebel at heart. Lady Polly! You wish to please yourself rather than follow the fas.h.i.+on!”

It was an appealing concept.

”Gentlemen are more fortunate when it comes to such matters,” Polly observed judiciously.

”You may do as you please, but we are watched over and instructed and restricted... And if we marry, the tyranny of our parents is exchanged for the tyranny of a husband!”

Filled with a sudden sense of absurdity at her own words, she started to laugh.

”I wondered whether that was why you had never married,” Lord Henry said quietly.

”Is that the reason, ma'am? That you had no wish to exchange a circ.u.mscribed girlhood for an equally restrictive marriage?”

Polly's laughter faded and she fell silent. The only sound was the noise of the phaeton's wheels and the cooing of the doves in the shady trees.

”No,” she said slowly, 'that was not the reason that I have never married. ” ”Then will you tell me what it is?” They had reached a quiet stretch of the road and Lord Henry was allowing his team to slow down while he concentrated on her. Their eyes met for a split second of tension.

”No,” Polly said again, half-lightly, half in earnest, ”I shall not, sir!

You have no right to ask so leading a question on so small an acquaintance! ” She saw Lord Henry smile as he accepted her refusal and allowed her to retreat.

”I protest,” he said easily.

”I have known you for years, ma'am, yet you insist we are as strangers!”

”We may have been acquainted for years,” Polly agreed, equally casually, 'but for most of that time you have been away, sir, travelling or entertaining yourself. ” She frowned as it occurred to her that she did not actually know what it was that had taken Lord Henry away so often.

Society whispered that it was scandal--women, gambling, racing--but no one actually knew. ”Very true, ma'am,” Lord Henry agreed, clearly unprepared to enlighten her further.

”Like you, I find Society stifling if I spend too long in its company!

I have noticed a change in London lately. Oh, the ton enjoy themselves as much as before, with as many outrageous amus.e.m.e.nts as they can devise, but the rest of the populace is not as tolerant as it used to be!”