Part 102 (1/2)

”My lord, I must speak with you... There is a very urgent matter--'

Polly was amazed to find that she was out of breath, sounding quite shaken.

”It concerns your sister--' Henry's attention sharpened. He took her hands in a strong grasp.

”Concerning Laura? What is it? You are shaking, Lady Polly! What can be the matter?”

Polly glanced around instinctively. Most of the guests were preoccupied with the serious business of eating and drinking, but a few glances were being cast their way.

”Not here,” she said softly.

”I have a letter for you. It is a delicate matter...”

Henry nodded, offering her his arm.

”Perhaps you will be good enough to show me your father's sculpture collection before supper. Lady Polly? I have heard tell that it is very fine.”

It was dark outside and not secluded enough for a private conversation.

They re-crossed the courtyard hastily and went in through the long library doors. The library was in near darkness, only one branch of candles throwing its shadowy light over the sculpture which was indeed accounted very beautiful. Henry shut the door behind them and Polly moved to light some more candles. From a purely practical point of view. Henry would hardly be able to decipher his sister's script in the gloom. Her hands shook a little as she lit the wavering flame and turned back to him.

Henry was standing with his back to the door and Polly felt once again the little leap of her heart that his presence always caused.

”Here.” She took the letter from the bodice of her gown and pa.s.sed it over, still warm from the contact with her skin.

”You will be wanting to read it in peace, I am sure, my lord--' But she was not to get away so easily.

”Just a moment--' Lord Henry said, sounding preoccupied. He had already unfolded the missive and scanned its brief contents, but when he looked up at Polly, his gaze was intent.

”When did Laura give this to you?”

Polly glanced at the clock.

”No more than fifteen minutes ago, my lord.”

”Then why does she imagine that I will be reading it several hours hence?”

He tapped the letter.

”She states quite clearly here that she will have been gone for several hours, yet you say it is only fifteen minutes! I could catch them up quite easily if I chose!”

”Yes.” Polly struggled a little, wis.h.i.+ng she had beaten a retreat sooner, 'that is. she asked me to give it to you in a little while but--' She broke off with a slight gesture.

”I thought that you should know at once--' Polly stopped again. This was coming out all wrong and Henry was frowning deeply as he watched her.

”Why?” he demanded.

”Were you so determined that I should put a stop to this? I have not forgotten your aversion to elopements!”

”No!” Polly was stung.

”It is unfair of you to bring that matter up between us again, my lord!